There's nothing that makes me happier than hitting the open road.
The sense of freedom I get from jumping in my car and heading out onto the highway gives me such a rush for some goofy reason. Maybe because I feel like I'm running away, or maybe it's because I feel empowered by driving somewhere by myself. who knows.
I know I just love it.
In another life I probably was a gypsy or ran away and joined a circus, in this one, I am just living in one ;-)
So for the past couple of weekends I hit the road and travelled 4 hours north to my friend Kamala's resort, Wandawood.
Kamala and I have been friends for a very long time (since Highschool) we are two peas in a pod, that is for sure. We are both wild women who love music, Art, and being free spirits.
Don't fence us in, no no no!
About a year ago, after she took over running the 15 cabin resort for her mom, we started to talk about ideas and directions the resort could take under her new management. we talked about doing simple things like making new pillows, and paintings for each of the cabins. Giving each individual cabin a little bit of an update, while still maintaining the old school charm of the place. We also talked about more involved things for the place such as making some of them available for off season renting in the colder months, and doing Art retreats in the fall seasons as well. SO many ideas passing between us over cocktails and blaring Dance tunes. it was super exciting to think of being a part of this amazing place that i've been coming to for over 20+ years, and something that's been in her family since the 1800's! seriously!
So starting last fall I made the first trip solo and we started work. buying rugs, and making pillows, discussing things I would make in the coming spring.
Last memorial day weekend I made the second trip up here spending 4 days painting from the minute I woke up until late at night.
It was a ball. Creative ideas Flowing like the water I was painting by.
It was exciting to see some of our ideas coming to fruition and the hard work paying off. I enjoyed doing this for my buddy. good for her, and good for me!
one cabin in particular was my favorite, It just had, by it's natural layout, an Arty feel to it. so I made quite a few pieces for this particular cabin called "Postscipt"
3 paintings to hang over the bed that were made to coordinate with the pillows.
This piece now hanging over the dining room table....
and some flowers made to go on the mantlepiece.....
I love the feel of this place, with it's transom windows and open feel to the space.
Each cabin is unique in it's layout.......they are all older cabins, but one was built a few years ago, and has all of the modern conveniences for the people that are into that.
half of them are on the water, the rest, just across a private street just feet from the lake.
with docks leading down to the beautiful lake...
so beautiful
my little traveling companion loves it here
I mean, who wouldn't .
I made one more trip the following weekend, this time I took my daughter Fiona with me for an all girls weekend. it was nice.
each of us creating our own thing.
Fiona was working on Fish for her upcoming Art fair at the yearly townie street party.
among other goofy things she's working on......ohmyword. XOXO
she kills me. seriously.
while she was occupied,
I managed to make 4 more paintings on the second trip for another cabin called "cheerio"
a series of boats.
each one made with layers of paint, and paper
All in all, I made a ton of work in a short amount of time, but it felt good
it inspired me to create some other things when I blew back into town for my own shop.
a little bit darker piece for me...kind of moodier. I guess it's kinda like how I'm feeling I spose.
Going through all of these changes with the shop and dealing with life has made me a little bit tired and Kind of grouchy lately...not to mention Raising a teenager, ooooh.
they're ALWAYS grouchy! ;-)
So my pieces may be a tad bit darker, but that isn't neccesarily a bad thing. I kind of like them,
and I love change.
plus i'm not THAT grouchy :)
so on that note, I am off to race to make dinner and schlep people around.
it's no roadtrip to an exciting location mind you , but it is fun to drive these clowns around in my very own personal circus.
it's exciting to see my boy and girl back in the pool for the start of summer swim practice...
it's my favorite time of year honestly, I just have to figure out how I'm going to get it all done, but you know I will.....cuz i'm a circus performer.....I can pull things out of my hat, or something like that ;-)
XOXOXO
LOVE your art work - what a FUN touch to those wonderful cabins!!! What a place - you are so lucky to get to spend time there!! :)
Posted by: Stacey M. Curry | June 13, 2012 at 06:45 PM
Yep ... life can be a darn grouch Catherine Dear. You are doing very well with things turned upside down. Get to that Lake as often as you can. I worked in the forest when my life went ... upside down ... Was my sanity for a long time. You just being by the water and all of the positive ions and energy is just what you need ... truly. As the old saying goes "Through Caous comes Creativity" Thank You Dear for sharing your Happy Adventures and Your continual positive road (potholes n all), rolling up your sleeves ... making changes happen and tolerating life when it gets hecka grouchy! xo's to you
Posted by: Anette Bernadino | June 14, 2012 at 12:48 AM