Art & Soul Review

I'm back from a terrific trip to Portland where I taught the most incredible group of women.  I barely know where to start to explain what an unbelievable trip this was.

I missed my doggie!

 

And, of course, my guys.  There were a few scary moments (see previous post.)   And I was really sick for my first day of teaching but, with a little prayer and a little perseverance,  it was a wonderful time!

I had a chance to see my sweet friend, Ronnie, again.  She was my invaluable right hand man.  Everyone needs someone like Ronnie in their lives...an encourager, a friend and a fighter...she'd go to the mat for me, anytime.  Among other things, she shlepped my stuff all over the place and never once complained.  Thank you, Ronnie!

For some reason, I was a bit apprehensive about vendor night but...here's my number one cheerleader at my spot before the event opened.

 

It was a great night during which I was kept entertained by the charming Michael (behind me to the left.)  I think he knew everyone that walked in the door and schmoozed with them all.  He had, with him, the most incredible piece about Lilith...

I didn't have a chance to get my own photos of it so these are his, but you really should go to his blog to see more of this amazing artwork.  Michael  kindly walked me through the details of it...he used a dynamite mold, of all things, as the basis of the piece...just fascinating.

So, back to vendor night...it was terrific.  Thank you to all of you who stopped by my table!

Oh, yes...the class.  My workshop could not have been any better.  Well, ok, if I'd felt like a real human being on that first day, that would have been good, but faith can get you through anything.

Terri Key

The women in my workshop were wonderful...creative and inspiring.  I'm sorry not to have photos of them all.

 

Kris Montgomery

Donna Knadle

 

Sally Paul

Their fingers were flying over the two days we worked together and many of them finished their Wingkeeper pieces.

I was blessed to have my friend Mija in class.  She has a fantastic organization called Mecca which is a non-profit materials exchange aimed at keeping reusable materials out of the landfill.  Mija ran a booth at vendor night that was filled to the brim with exactly the kinds of goodies we mixed media folk love.  If you ever get a chance to visit the store in Eugene (Oregon)...do.

Mija Andrade  

In class, Mija made a marvelous "voo-doo" wingkeeper that was so very "Mija."  I love the fact that each student's personality was conveyed, so well, through their creation.

Jean VanBrederode

(Thank you, again, for the stunning rosary, Jean!)

Paula McNamee

Michelle Geller

 

My friend, Michelle, even made a gorgeous double strand piece.

Christine Hendry

(keep up the good work, Christine)

Each and every student was a pleasure to have in class.  Thank you so much, ladies!      

 

I took two classes from one of my favorites, the fabulous Richard Salley.  Not only is Richard a friend, but he's one of the best and most generous teachers out there.  I don't have photos of my pieces yet and still have one to finish up but I'll get them posted when I can.  The other great thing about Richard is Jane.  I finally got to spend a little time with her and, she's amazing...not to mention sweet and very fashionable.  I like that.  Jane and I spent a fun night with Susan, which is always a pleasure, and her sister, talking about Objects and Elements stuff.  Actually, we did more eating and wine drinking than talking business...which is only right!  I'm very sad that I don't have a photo of myself with my precious roomate, Crystal.  (Crystal, what were we thinking not getting a picture?) It was a whirlwind and over before we all knew it.

Home again, home again.  I'm missing the beauty of Oregon.  But, my parents came back with me to visit and keep the homesickness at bay.

Looking forward...I'll be teaching next in Houston in March at Adorn Me and at a new venue in Salado, Texas in April called Shady Ladies.  More to come on that later.

On another note...forgive me if you've left a comment and not heard from me.  I try to answer them all but have had some trouble with them lately.  I'm hoping Typepad can get that fixed soon!

Comments

[diane cook]

Deryn,
Looks like you had a wonderful time at A&S, and so did your students =) And, now with your parents home with you, I am sure you are having a GREAT time with them!
Take care my friend!
xoxox

[Suzanne]

Deryn, it was nice to finally meet you. We were in Richard's class on Saturday and had lunch together (with Ronnie, et al). The necklaces the ladies made in your class are wonderful. Maybe Ronnie can convince you to come to Florida and teach a class!

[Jen Crossley]

Looks like you had a wonderful time Deryn

[Deborah VanDetta]

Thanks, Deryn, for a wonderful class. I need to get out my dremel, drill a hole in a tiny Middle Eastern coin, wrap it and I am done! I will post photos soon. Hope you'll be back in Portland next year!

[Catherine Witherell]

Loved reading this! So great! My goodness you are a working girl!

I am so happy for you and your teaching career. I know you wanted to do it and you have!

XO Catherine

[Paula]

Thanks, Deryn, for a wonderful workshop. You're a great teacher and it was a fun class. I feel so fortunate to be able to learn some new ideas and techniques from you.

[Alice]

Oh, it sounds like a load of fun! I'm glad you were not sick the entire time!

Thanks for sharing the fun photos. Someday I hope to be a part of something like this.........

[Gena Orfali]

Nice! well done, seems you had alot of fun too!!

[Mija]

Bundles of fun were had by all! It was so great to see you Deryn. I thoroughly enjoyed your class and the lovely ladies in it. Glad to hear you had a lovely time of it as well. It was one of my best A&S retreats ever! And thanx for the MECCA plug too, sweet girl.

Earlier, I was at the Charming Exchange benefit ebay auction and saw a couple of the collab pieces you worked on for the book. Beautiful! Well, they're all beautiful but maybe I'll have a shot at winning once of your collab pieces since I didn't even get a chance to shop at A&S vendor night. Or will you be posting some new pieces on etsy? Hhmmmmm?

Glad you're home safe and sound! smiles.

[jenn desjardins]

okay Deryn, it took me a while to get throught that post! I kept visiting the links on it! Love the Lilith piece! Wow! Thank you for sharing!

[sandra]

how fun! love your work!

[esther]

i'm soooo jealous!!! what beautifuls pictures!! everybody smile!!! everybody made beautiful pieces!! super cool!! thanks for sharing!! sure that everybody have a lot of "souvenirs" in their hearts!!

[Kelly Snelling]

it looks like it was not only a huge success but great fun! i love seeing the photos of mija and christine, too. mija told me the vendor night was really great for mecca. i hope it was great for you, too.

[LAURA DELLAPORTA]

HI DERYN, STOPPING BY TO SEE YOUR INCREDIBLE CREATIONS.. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOUR STYLE!!! COME TO FLORIDA ANYTIME!!!! XOXOO LAURA

[Sherry]

I loved reading this, looking at your photographs and seeing the women who took your course and how beautiful their art work is -- they made some gorgeous jewelry and I know they will have made wonderful memories!

[Renate]

So glad you are back home, safe and sound! Looks like those workshops were absolutely awesome! And we told you vendor night would go well!

[joanne thieme huffman]

It all looks wonderful.

[Denise Tucker]

Hi Deryn! Thanks for the post and the pictures! I wish I was there! Sometime in the future I'll get to take a class from you! Glad vendor night went so well!