When I retired in May 2018, after more than 30 years in marketing and advertising, the little seed of an idea popped into my head. I decided that I would like to be an artist in residence, teaching mosaic art, somewhere in 2019. This little idea made my soul jump for joy!
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This little idea made my soul jump for joy! |
In January 2019, I realized that if I wanted to bring the "artist in residence" idea to life - I'd better put it out there. So on a cold wintery morning, I made a cup of tea and started to search the internet for possibilities. After some time I stumbled upon the
Muskoka Chataqua website! Keywords such as arts, culture and spirituality resonated with me. They offered an Artist in Residence program that looked very interesting - so I sent an email asking for more information.
Hi: I am a mosaic artist living in Almonte, Ontario and am interested in being sent information about your 2019 Artist in Residence program. Thanks very much Christine Hume
Within the next week I received a reply!
Hi Christine,
Thank you so much for your interest in our Artists-in-Residence program.
I would love to chat with you. What is a good day and time?
Kindest Gayle
I felt a bit nervous when I read this email, but a big voice boomed in my head "just be yourself"! And the next day when Gayle and I spoke - we had a great conversation! We found we shared a love of labyrinths and she even suggested what I could teach for my workshop. She had read about my
yellow Camino mosaic arrow project on this blog, and felt it would make a great workshop to teach how to create these yellow arrows. The minute she said this - it felt just right and the ideas started to flow re how to bring the workshop to life.
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Gayle suggested that I teach how to create the yellow Camino mosaic arrows in my workshop. |
I am now back from spending a week as an "Artist in Residence" at the
Clevelands House Resort in Minett, ON. It was an amazing and inspiring creative experience. Every day was different - as the makeup of the groups varied from young children to twenty-somethings to parents and grandparents. The photos really help to tell the story.
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I explain that the yellow mosaic arrows we will be creating are inspired by the yellow arrows found on the Camino pilgrimage path. |
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I also explain a bit more about the Camino and show the group this map of the various routes. |
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Pick your own arrow and bits and pieces to personalize it. Some participants brought their own items to add to their arrow. |
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My outdoor mosaic studio makes me happy! |
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A young mosaic artist - happily shows me her finished arrow :) |
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Everyone is immersed in creating their own yellow mosaic Camino arrow. |
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Lots of stories were told while this arrow was being created. |
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I just said - can you do a neat pose with your arrow? |
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This Mom and daughter plan to walk the Camino a few years from now - they really get it! The daughter's proud comment: I did art! :) |
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Another family group that really enjoyed the creative process! |
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Great way to sign your arrow, put your yellow arrow name tag on the back. |
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Bouquet of yellow wildflowers picked along the way, with yellow arrow picks - of course. |
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Large yellow arrow mural, with notes from workshop participants - set up for the Art Party. |
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Here are just a few of the yellow Camino mosaic arrows created by workshop participants!
I am so thankful for this amazing experience and for the wonderful people that I connected with. I highly recommend trying out one of the
Muskoka Chataqua artist workshops at either the
Clevelands House Resort or the
New Baldwins Resort if you are in the area. There is a different artist at each resort for eight weeks during the months of July and August.
And I am "trusting the path" and truly looking forward to wherever the Yellow Camino Mosaic Arrow project takes me next!
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Dear Christine: thank you so much for the beautiful labyrinth and the time we shared in Muskoka. I love the yellow arrows and the process that was both intuitive and thoughtful in creating both. I thoroughly enjoyed trusting the path with you and I look forward to reconnecting next year. Hopefully you can return for another Artist-in-Residence. Gayle :) |