days away + home again

 i feel an intense internal high that i haven't felt in awhile.   Artfest seems to bring these feelings out every single year and all that i can seem to muster from myself is thank you, thank you, thank you.  

  i flew out to the west coast five days early to spend time with beautiful soul sisters and dear friends.  it was a gift to be there, to soak up the beauty of life, to walk the beach early in the morning, sharing time with souls that i have felt connected to what seems like forever, some i was just meeting in person for the first time. what better way to spend a few days?   sadly these gatherings only seem to last for a second, never - ever long enough...

i spent a few days at katie's house, along with jen, stephanie, judy, & sue, where we painted, cooked, laughed, collaborated, and schemed.  we created five paintings together, each working continuously from one painting to the next until they were finished... what a wonderful experience it was!  {if you want to see a glimpse...check out judy's video}  the whole time i felt in the moment, blissed out & so grateful...  {thank you so much for inviting us into your house katie... and for everything, it was you that first came to pick me up at the seattle airport years ago and it just keeps getting better and better!}  

next stop...   ARTFEST!  katie and i parted for a few days, and i met up with lk & kristin,  the three of headed north to port townsend where we met up with john & mary beth {check out her AMAZING new line of stencils here}.   we stayed in a cabin that had an absolutely breathtaking view of the water & mountains, i could barely stand it, it was so beautiful!  we had a whole day to play before artfest began, we walked the shore, shopped for even more art supplies, and soaked up the time together... my heart kept on filling up each and every step of the way. 

the opening night of artfest began with the band surrealized... they were loud and wonderful!    lk and i ran for the dance floor... (thank you lk  ;)  and then we all danced until the music stopped...   i couldn't have thought of a better way to spend the first night! 

 the next day classes started, i had 3 full classes filled with the best  students!  the work they created was stunning, each piece was a beautiful & unique piece of art!   i just love this part of my life,  teaching/sharing + watching what unfolds!  i am planning on posting a folder on facebook (and maybe some pieces here)  of  some of  the work by my students soon!  thank you all so much for being there, thank you teesha + tracey, thank you, thank you, thank you!   i just love artfest and all that it brings...  seeing old and meeting new friends, living in the moment, teaching art, and  growing from the experience!    there is so much i am leaving out, but i think the pictures are enough for now!    {besides,  typepad is being mean, it won't let me edit, link anything more, or add more photos}  

 i am home again, how good it feels to be here and just in time to celebrate my 34th birthday on thursday.  34 sounds very strange, i don't think i really ever got used to the sound of 33 alas,  i wave it goodbye and try on 34, i am excited for what lies ahead... there is a lot going on over here that i can't wait to tell you about!  ;) 

 and as some of you know...  my music obsession with lady gaga continues, but i found the bird + the bee today and it might be just the thing to detox myself of gaga, we'll see..

Comments

[Tammy McGee]

Thank you Misty, for the inspiration, and the original painting and your true beautiful heart. I was really blessed to get to take your class again :o) Im so thrilled you liked the heart I made you. Ive read your blog for a couple years now, and the saying on your heart was inspiried by you. :o)Keep loving life so wildly, and thanks for sharing your life with us. {{HUGS}} Tam

[Pamela Holderman]

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful spirit and creative energy. We were truly blessed to spend time with you in class.

[Mary Beth Shaw]

Seeing these pics makes me smile. And hmmm, will be interesting to see if you detox of Gaga. Dance on, sweet girl.
xoxo

[beth]

i'm so jealous....
i need a girls trip....time spent with similar souls....to fill me up !

i could almost see your swollen heart with the words you wrote...and the photos, well obviously they speak for themselves....

and i just saw the bird and the bee on....ummmm, maybe the today show and yes, i think they could help with your detox !
xoxoxoxoxoxo

[beth]

ooooooooh......and love love love the new banner and sides

[Carol Weiler]

So good to see you back and hear of your wonderful experiances! And a VERY happy birthday to you-hope your year is full of wonder and love. And I agree with the previous commenter-the banner and sides are gorgeous! CW

[judy Wise]

I am still living on a cloud of wonder following the retreats in the woods; playing madly in the studio and reliving the laughter and quiet moments. Only loving friends can revitalize the soul this way - I am so grateful that Artfest brought us all together so that we could indeed live and love life wildly. (oh, the dreams I am dreaming for future play ...)

[dawn nielson]

i have been anticipating this post. artfest is on my list, the timing wasn't right. i signed up for two of stephanie's classes for oct's art & soul portland, will be missing you. after taking your class last year i have been a texture layering, face painting crazy woman. thank you for sharing your sharing, a sweet mid week treat.

[Eileen]

Hi Misty,
Nourishing your soul through friendships, art and nature seems just like you through and through. I am so glad to see you've returned with an abundance of spirit and continued love of life. These pictures tell so many stories- it's beautiful to see them.

I am so thrilled you are home celebrating your 34th birthday tomorrow!!! How perfect!!! I am so blessed to have found your blog, spirit and art filled life. Happy Birthday, Misty!!!

xoxo
Eileen

[regina]

Wasn't it all wonderful and magical? I've been floating on a cloud...

Thank you so much for making your class so perfect. I've learned so much much from you. Not just techniques and great tips, but your soulfulness and bravery, doing what you love just shines through in magnitudes. It gives me hope, brightness and strength. Thank you for sharing some of that with me.

Have a beautiful birthday.

[Lisa Cohen]

Happy (early) birthday!!! I hope you have a great day tomorrow filled with lots of celebration, yummy food, good friends, your family (of course!), and being outside! It's supposed to be a beautiful day!
xo,
Lisa

[Graciel @ Evenstar Art]

you are so full of life!!! always you are. it is why i have wanted to follow along with you for years now. it is such a reward to sit in your glow.

bliss to you on your birthday, dearest misty. i bow to you and your beauty.
xo, graciel

[kelly@the blue muse]

it looks like it was so much fun...lovely photos. love the new banner!

[jen]

I hope that you have a beautiful birthday tomorrow...it was lovely to meet you...and thank you for taking that wonderful photo of Dar, Kristen and me...those moments were so special to me. xoxo

[jen]

magic magic magic. sending you more love and thank you for the so very beautiful moments...

[Lisa]

Happy Birthday sweet Misty!

[Jennifer White]

New banner is fantastic... love the energy in the color! The first picture on this post, I must have. It's mystical, intriguing, I bet it smelled wonderful wherever you took this, too...would love to hang in my new home, too...Happy Birthday to you again dear friend, I should send your mom and dad a thank you note for bringing you in to this world and allowing you to be such an important part of my life. I would not have made it through the last eight months without you...xo

[Jennifer White]

well typepad is not liking the fact that I'm trying to leave a comment, so i'll try once more...

Your new banner makes me smile.. love the energy in all that color. Another birthday wish to you once again...I feel as though I should send a thank you note to your mom and dad, for bringing you in to this world which in turn, brought you in to my life...without you, I would never have made it through the last eight months..you are like a sister to me and I am so very fortunate...have a safe trip back to PA and a wonderful day today... xo

[Teresa aka Tess]

It looks like you had sooo much fun and are so re-energized. I love your art-full life... Thanks for sharing all that you've been up to and the wonderful pics. Can't wait to see the art work your students made. Lucky people.....

[Deb Coburn]

Happy birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day!

[vivienne]

i'm so grateful i got to meet you misty.
and i'm so mesmerized by your work...completely expect me to show up at one of your workshops some day!

[Colette]

So happy you had a wonderful time away. I bet your family is so happy to see you.

I just LOVEEEE your ne wheader. It beams. Plus it's so pretty and sweet, not serious like most madonnas.

[Colette]

Wow, she's 34! Hello! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTY(cake).

[Annie Froese]

Happy sweet 34 Misty!!! I have been peeking in on your blog site for the past week or so, wondering when you might make mention of your time at Art Fest. It is a dream of mine to be there one day! I just can imagine what it would be like as your descriptions and expressions of the experience are awe-inspiring! Kindred creative spirits, soul-sisters, losing yourself in the process, sharing, celebrating.... Wow! That's a perfect way to live a life! May this year bring you lots of happiness, discovery, and love. Hugs, Annie

[Laura Taylor Mark]

Welcome back & belated birthday wishes too sweet girl!! Artfest sounds sublime, it would be wonderful to make it there one day and soak up all that creativity and shining soul-light :)

Wishing you and your family a happy & blessed Easter!

[wanda miller]

hoppy easter, and a wonderful belated birthday wish...sigh,,so young you are!!! so happy you are back and that you had such a SOULFILLED time to get filled up and then come back to your familia! xo wanda

[Renee Troy]

What a great post. I felt your joyful emotions with each sentence. So glad you have those times with friends. I know how that can make all the difference in one's life.
I'm hoping that next year I can experience ArtFest. I'm making my way as last year was my first year to go away to take classes. It filled me.
Happiest of Birthdays and a peaceful Easter!

[lacy]

We met at Artfest! I am sitting going through my stack o card and visiting all the amazing blogs! I LOVE the dreamy quality of your blog, I am SO INSPIRED after looking at it! Wishing you artfest love all year long! --Lacy

[rebecca]

dear one,
i can hardly bare to come here. your beauty is so profound it takes me out of my body. yet it makes me question the duality of my heart and the body it resides in. a kind of ecstasy and agony that i must wrestle with.

i adore you misty and always hold you in the lightest place of me.
i hope you will come just take a peek at something i believe will touch you...
i send love and blessings to you and your family. to every thing and every one you touch.

xoxoxoxo,
rebecca

[Diana Frey]

Looks as though you had a fantastic time at Artfest again, Misty. You are so very blessed with such good friends and magic moments in your sweet life. Hoping you had a wonderful birthday celebration. Always love your photos and a glimpse into your life.
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs
Diana