artfest on the run...

"I am here alone for the first time in weeks, to take up my "real" life again at last.  That is what is strange- that friends, even passionate love, are not my real life unless there is time alone in which to explore and to discover what is happening or has happened." ~ May Sarton

And so I am, back from artfest already.  It is so hard to believe that it has past.  So many months spent preparing for it, with many worries, so much excitement, and much like a really great book you just don't want it to end.   As I try to share with you all that was of last week I can feel the loss for words overwhelm me.  I really don't know where to begin or how and perhaps it's because I really have not had enough alone time yet to really unfold my feelings, or perhaps it's just that I don't know how to put what I want to say into the right words.  Artfest has a way of silencing me and you would think after my third year I would be able to tell you just what it is I am feeling, but I again, I can't. I wish so much that I could just split myself open like you would a pomegranate or maybe a pear, or any such fruit so you could see exactly what it is that I hold inside, keeping me alive and going.  seeds?  perhaps.... so many seeds that will grow into more and more fruit, seeds that came from other seeds...another analogy,  so often that is just how it makes sense for me to put into words how I am feeling, but thankfully there are pictures that also capture my feelings, but never enough...I regret that I did not take more pictures, and this is ALWAYS the case when I am so in the moment of things...which is good, but not much to show for it later, other than a full, full beaming heart.    

         As in the past Artfest feels like one big family reunion, so many familiar faces, so many people you cannot wait to see again, exchanging hug after hug, and yet somehow when you get there it feels as if no time had past.   That is just how it always feels when Nina and I meet up again.  It had been since last October since we had seen one another and although it felt like longer beforehand once we met up again it felt as if no time was lost.  We arrived to Port Townsend a day early to celebrate my birthday, arranging it so I wouldn't have to be traveling that day, so nice!     The day of my birthday was a wonderful day, spent mostly on the beach, gathering, exploring, and walking many, many, many miles, then into town to do a little birthday shopping and dinning... spoiled!  It was a lovely day followed by many more lovely days.  And again, I am at a loss for words when it comes to telling you about this time spent, but how sweet it is to have such a dear friend and friends.   I look forward to reading what Nina shares with us, knowing how she has such a way with words. It was just so nice to see everyone again, it would take me all night to list all of you that made my time at artfest what it was, so I will have to keep it with me...but thank you, all of you! xo  I taught two classes this year, both were full with the best students!  How lucky I felt to have such eager and happy students, ready to create on demand, and I know just how hard that can be.  The art work that came out of both classes was so inspiring, now if only I had taken more photos.  If you were in my class and shared your work online or have photos please let me know. I am still not so sure if I have the whole teaching thing down, or if I ever will, I can feel my shyness coming through at times when all I really want to do is burst into song and dance with joy on the tables, but I hold back and do not know why I do.  That was part of the negative comment I received back in October, that I was shy and perhaps that comment was there with me the whole time in class, sitting heavy, watching every move I made.   Something to work on? Regardless, I do love teaching, I love sharing, and I love, love, love seeing what comes of it.  I also took a really great class with Tiphoni, it was a watercolor class that was just perfect after two days of teaching.  I really loved having the whole day to just sit and paint.  And so this was another wonderful year for me at artfest! It's a magical place, there is no doubt about that! and how grateful I am for Teesha & Tracy Moore, they have changed my life and SO many others and they are the most humble souls I have ever met. 

The crazy thing is that I leave again in just a few days for Art & Soul, Asilomar.....how bittersweet.  And I knew these few days home would be tough, wanting to "be here now" as much as I possibly could be, but knowing at the same time it would be hard to be here, as my thoughts are still back at artfest and also on their way to Asilomar.  But it is good to be here, it really is.

  I leave you with a favorite quote of mine that I posted after my very first year at Artfest, here it is again...so fitting.... and a wonderful song that keeps playing over and over in my head.

"One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter. "
~ James Earl Jones

Comments

[n]

you beat me to the cormorant and peace sign photos, alas - i am still here in alabama, unable to post. perhaps that is best.
i love you so very much. i feel that it overflows. xx

[Mary Beth]

Great seeing you again, it was wonderful wasn't it? You managed to capture the beauty in your gorgeous photos.
Have fun at Asilomar, it's also such a special place - take care of John, tee,hee, like anyone could...

[Regina]

Maybe one day I will be able to attend your class. Hoping.
Like you, I get home & wonder why I didn't take more pictures. I get torn wanting to just EXPERIENCE the moments & knowing I will want photos later. And I find myself going through the pics I took wondering what happened to all those other shots?
Blessings on your next ArtFest.

[darlene]

it all sounds so wonderful, magical and i can only imagine how wonderful your teaching really is ... some of the best teachers i know carry shyness in their heart :)

happy birthday beautiful you, glad you had such a special time!

[katie]

you said it beautifully...

the time spent with you was precious - isn't it crazy/great how we've gotten to celebrate our birthdays together at these events?! so looking forward to seeing you in Virginia in a couple months, can you believe it? - i think i need to pinch myself :-)

much love xo

[candice Elton]

lovely post, and so fun to see you again, wish we would have had more time to catch up. Your blog and pictures of your family are so beautiful. much love....

[Jo Wholohan]

Beautiful scenery Misty, looks like a wonderful time!!!! And happy birthday!!!

I will be in your classes in Melboune in ..... gosh were does the time go ... 4 1/2 weeks!!! Im dreadfully shy so I hear you!!! Embrace the shyness :))

xx Jo

[tricia scott]

misty, happy birthday! what a wonderful way to celebrate. the post was a lovely one. my heart ached a little thinking of that neg comment--i just know i would be the same way in teaching a class, thinking on that comment, wondering at times, having it always there, but i also imagine that you are a wonderful teacher, much much more giving and inspiring than any student could hope for and having many positive comments to draw on in those times. think of all the lovely people you have inspired. you inspire me in so many ways with each post.
enjoy your family time and enjoy asilomar--
many hugs,
tricia

[elise]

I am not all that sure that being shy is a negative comment...hmmmmm...i find that if teachers talk too much it takes up a lot of creative space and leaves me paralyzed...we are all different in our needs...

i am finding that we can say so much more without words anyway...

my experience of you is that you hold nothing back in your work and that speaks volumes...it's pretty talkative/alive actually :-)...

and...i know that I have told you before that I really see you as a teacher for me in more than art...i want to be willing to give myself and let myself be seen in the way that you seem to be so natural at...i hold back and hang onto the scarcity theory.

anyway, i wanted to say this to you...

Love you,

Elise B.

[kim]

it was heaven being able to see you and nina everyday and having our own personal barista-julie! cannot wait until we all meet up again...
much love to you, sweet thing!
xoxo~

[Diana Frey]

Thank you for sharing about Artfest. I hope to make it next year...and perhaps be there to help celebrate your birthday! A belated Happy Birthday hug to you. I love your shyness, Misty, that is a part of you that is so very endearing. While your demeanor on the outside may appear to be shy, your heart is so very open, loving and authentic which is evident in your work and to those who know you. I look forward to seeing you at Asilomar. (P.S. both packages have arrived)
Diana

[Graciel]

You realize, don't you, you have the sweetest life. Share it shyly, share it boldly..it matters not. Just simply share the sweetness and we will all be blessed.

xo

[Lisa]

Glad you made it home safe and sound. I wish there was a way to squeeze more time into the day at ArtFest...but it was good to see you for a few moments in between the hub bub.

Wishing you peace in your next little trip.

[deirdra Doan]

Have fun in California. It will be fun to see some to your students work. LOL

[m i c h e l l e]

Dear Misty...I was in your Adaptations class. I posted some pictures on my blog last night so you can take a peek at how this student processed your class.

Happy belated birthday and safe journey to Asilomar!

Cheers,
Michelle
http://michellegeller.typepad.com/michelle_geller_weblog/2008/04/artfest-class-p.html

[layla]

thank you for an amazing workshop, from withinside out...out of my instructors at artfest you were by far my favorite! i loved your easy, laid back, teaching style, and the way that you were able to teach your techniques in a non-specific way, so that your students could utilize them, while still creating artwork representative of themselves and true to themselves and their unique style, hope that makes sense...just wanted to say thanks!
xo
layla

[Ann Christine Dennison]

I love your openness, your inspiring pictures. You touch me with these.
I have given you an award, please look on my blog for details :-)

[Pam Carriker]

My parents live near Lilliwaup by Hoods Canal! I love that area. I'm a midwest transplant with a huge softspot for the Pacific Northwest!
Pam Carriker

[Julie H]

Hi Misty
How bitter sweet it was to read this post to know that very soon you will be here in Australia, and yet this big land of ours won't shrink so I can meet you. I just know all your students will have loved their classes with you - how can we fail to bond with your kind and open heart?

[Linda O'Neill]

Hope you had a great b-day, Miss Misty! Sounds like a wonderful time at Artfest...thanks for sharing your experience.

Really loved that last quote too.xo

[Catalina]

I just discovered your blog through Dawn. Love your paintings and the poetry in your posts. And Happy Birthday: And yes Cirque du Soleil is something...! which one did you watch?

[sepia art studio]

i have been trying to write lately on your blog, several times, but could not do that somehow.
your photographs are always wonderful. to be with a darling friends, is always an uplifting experience.

delila

p.s. the parcel of yours will be flying to you via robin mail on friday. i hope you will enjoy the goodies i chose for you.

[Shirley]

Hi Misty~

Happy Belated Birthday. I see from your pictures on Nina's site that you had a great time on the beach. You sported smiles almost as wide as the sky.

Blessings on the ear to come> may you continue to blend art and family in a seamless fashion.

Hugs,
Sassi

[linni]

mmmm....wish I was there! xx

[Laurie Mika]

HI Misty,
Sorry we didn't have time to do more than a quick hug in the lunch line! One of these days, the whole thing goes by in a blur! Happy Birthday! To many more....Love, Laurie M.