Art Retreat in Melbourne

Artistic Journey held an Art Retreat in Melbourne from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th of May that I was lucky enough to attend. These were the same people who put on the retreat last year in Perth. The tutors this year were Jacky, Ro Bruhn, Traci Bautista, Misty Mawn and Nina Bagley.

Once again my travelling companion and roomie was Megan. We couldn't get down to Melbourne until Thursday afternoon so were not able to do classes by Ro or Jacky, so for the few hours we had on Thursday we took to Brunswick St instead!

I don't go to workshops expecting to complete a masterpiece, for me it is all about learning techniques and having fun. So, true to form, I did not complete any pieces but I did come away with new techniques, inspiration and ideas, and I had fun.

Friday: Traci Bautista - Graffiti Bouquet
This was a fun and fast paced class. The aim was to make lots of different papers, and then collage and paint an artwork. It was fun to use bright colours (you can't help it in Traci's class). Traci is a great teacher who is full of wonderful ideas.

Saturday: Misty Mawn - Altered Ego
Portraits are not one of my strong points, let alone self-portraits, so it was really amazing how comfortable Misty made this class. This was my favourite class of the retreat. I was so glad to have met Misty in person and to have been taught by her. She is a fabulous teacher, and a warm and gentle soul.

Sunday: Traci Bautista - La vie de Boheme Art Quilts
I loved the mono printing technique we learnt in this class, it was sooo much fun, definately something I am going to play with again.

Whilst I didn't take a class with Nina this time it was wonderful to see her again. THANK YOU to all these amazing women for coming and sharing their knowledge and time. It was a privilege, an honour and a delight.

Other Fabulous highlights:
*Catching up again with the woman-of-many-talents
Ro ...nothing is the same as actually having a
conversation face to face, especially over a meal!
*Seeing other familiar faces and meeting new ones.
*Buying two originals paintings by Misty Mawn.
*Eating at FANTASTIC restaurants in Melbourne -
such as Movida (with caprioskas!) and The Chocolate
Buddha (with some truly amazing people).
*Seeing not one but TWO movies (how decadent!) -
9 Lives (amazing acting) and And Then He Found Her
which was light & funny. (We actually saw this second
movie the evening after doing Misty's class, for most
of the movie I kept seeing the light and dark areas of
faces - it was quite bazaar!!)
*Getting more rubber blocks to carve, thanks to Ro & Jo,....YEAH!

All of this would NOT have been possible if it weren't for Jo and Jacky. A lot of effort was put in to make this possible, it can not be an easy task. I know things weren't perfect but I think it is better to see the positives. I am so lucky to have learnt from these wonderful Tutors. Sending a big, warm, heart-felt THANK YOU to Jo and Jacky.

What really made this special for me was spending time with my wonderful roomie and dear friend Megan. It is truly a privilege to be able to share not only the art but the experience with such a like-minded soul. We don't really need to compromise as we like similar things - places to shop, eat, drink and see, and we laugh a lot as we have a very similar sense of humour. I think Nina summed her up well by saying how centered she is.
Thank you my dear friend for being there and making the experience so much better.

Comments

[Judy Wilkenfeld]

Sounds brilliant glad you had such a great artful experience.

[karen cole]

Hey Ursula!!

It looks like you had an amazing time at the retreat....and I must say your work looks finished and wonderful to me. Perhaps one of these days, all of us book girls can do something together. I'll bet you and Megan did a lot of giggling.

I received your book today. You will be thrilled!!!!

[misty]

i love that photo of Megan...is she picking his nose? lol. it was so great getting out with you both that night (not sure what night it was...art retreats are always that way...every day feels like a saturday).
thank you so much for taking my class and for buying my paintings...it's nice to know they are home. ;-) and it was so great to finally meet in person and I really hope we get to meet up again, soon. ;-) xo

[michelle ward]

hey girl! looks and sounds like a grand time. how fun to make an appointment with creativity that includes friends - old and new.

[Jo]

What fantastic work you created over the weekend Ursula.
Thankyou so much for your lovely comments, we sure learnt ALOT and next year will be even better (working on that lunch issue??!).
Hope you are finding some creative time now you are back home. We will be in touch soon as we have to visit Sydney to check out venues for 2009, would love to catch up with you and Megan!
Love Jo xo

[robruhn]

It was great to catch up again Ursula with you and Megan, a bit like old times. I love what you and Megan both did in class, I didn't realize that you were both into colour too. Look forward to catching up again.
Ro
xo

[Megan P]

I am very lucky to have such a wonderful soulmate to share such a wonderful experience with. Thankyou.
Mx

[Janine]

Looks like the two of you had a great time! Sorry I missed it... will have to organise something ourselves! lol xoJ