Journal Girl

I've been spending my time in this post-Christmas no-man's-land before the new year begins working on the details, notes, and content for this very special, and very dear to my heart project, the Creative Warriors Circle.

As I opened myself up for friendship and companionship in 2012, I found myself attracting understanding, empathetic, kind people. The ones that wouldn't judge me for my chronic illness, and in fact, helped me accept self-care and limits.

I wanted to combine this magic with the next phase for Art Journal Diary -- a year-long exploration into our journals, supplies, techniques, & Wild Hearts to come out with solid ideas, schedules, planning, and next steps to achieve good health and happiness.

I've made an entire page about this year-long and ultra-affordable circle, where you can get your questions answered. But don't wait too long -- we're already chatting, & I'm uploading new content every day!

This is the first page we'll be creating once January 1st comes along. This project is SO going to help so many, and my heart is BURSTING with the possibilities and changes this circle is going to create in your lives. I truly love when a project comes from the heart, and KNOW deep within that this is for YOU!

Oh, my darlings, I have so much to share with you! My computer is full of photos, from my last bookbinding class, to the amazing results of the mixed-media portrait class I taught at my first retreat....but for today, for the magic of 12-12-12, I thought I'd share the magic of Aravaipa Canyon, where the retreat was held. It's a magical land where no cell phones, iPads, or internet work, and you're forced to take pause and really connect with the others around you, as well as yourself.

The ranch is reached by driving along a dirt road, mostly one-lane, up and around the mountains of the range. I was so glad to own a 4-wheel drive vehicle!

This was taken on the way out, but can you see the other side of the road? *laughs* I was cackling and giggling with joy when I drove through the creek to reach the ranch, and then again on the way out. The road's to the left, after you drive through. (I had to back up and speed up after I took this photo, as my passenger reminded me I needed speed to get through the foot-to-foot-and-a-half deep creek!)

There is a forest out there, up and down the mountains, where I swear, faeries dance with the spirits of native americans still dwelling in the forests and mountains of their people.

Can you imagine them, here, on these mushrooms growing from the side of a tree?

Spinning webs around these dormant branches?

There's a stone labyrinth out there, that takes longer than you think to get around, with a little alter in the center. I was reminded that these circular labyrinths used to represent the womb of a woman, back in ancient times, and all her creative potential. How we have to navigate through the twists and turns of life in order to create.

In a place like this, how could I not take pause and go Still? I'd found autumn at last!

And then, I'd look up, and be reminded that we were in the middle of a desert. Those mesas and saguaro, so ancient - did you know they don't get their first arm until they're 100 years old?

We hiked through the woods and suddenly, came out upon this beautiful vista, this part of the creek where the banks were covered in long grass, where the breeze was gentle and the trees swayed and rained down leaves on us as we lay down for a little nap... (This is my favorite shot; who would have thought I'd be taking photos like this when I started playing a couple years ago?)

It was as if the creek made space for all of us, letting us rest. The water was cool and clear, and I splashed in it, watching the droplets reflect the midday sunlight like snowflakes or glitter falling to earth.

Our view. I suddenly was in love with Arizona.

I felt full of magic.

I then went back, back to the world, and gathered up that magic to spread to my students, encouraging them to draw and paint and find the same joy I do in moving around paint and pencils and marks. I'll share all that tomorrow. For today, reflect on Stillness, on Wishes and Dream and Imagination. On Magic in your life, in Deep Play, in Calm.