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Monday, September 20, 2010

Squam Art Workshops 2010


Home safely from the most wonderful and astonishing week for a long time. Squam was incredible; this was my 3rd year and each year it has gotten better for me. I love the way the people at Squam gather in the newcomers and make everyone feel at home. I can truthfully say Squam has changed my life both in general and especially this year when I was not sure I could effectively teach again after losing so much of my voice and energy. But these people. This magical place. Renewed my spirit and confidence. Gave me permission to go on.


This is the hearth that blazed into the nights as we conversed, shared wine and snacks, told our stories and shared our dreams.


Our screened in porch looked directly out onto the lake with a breath taking view. We heard the loons, the loons, the melancholy loons announcing fall and the coming beauty of the changing leaves.


We met in classrooms to talk and make and learn and laugh together. I taught twice with my little voice amplifier and everything worked perfectly. We shared new beginnings. We are going on new journeys in our lives and we are manifesting our dreams. We are supporting each other as friends do, giving permission and providing help when we can.


Once again the food was incredible. I'm afraid I popped the button off my skirt and all I did was laugh.


I have fallen madly in love with this place. I silently thank the giants who put the land aside so many decades ago; the strangers who worked to make this place a sanctuary and also those who work together to keep it as it has been for so long. I feel their spirits in this place. They cared about the people who would follow them (us).


I have so much more to tell you and so many people to thank but I've come home to a hornet's nest of activity so I will write more later. I'll tell you about the friends I made at 2009 Squam that I visited in Vermont before I got to SAW. That's how it is. You make friends that you want in your life forever and you are changed. Thank you Elizabeth for providing such a place for us. You are leaving the world better than you found it. You are inspiring the rest of us to do the same.

Life changing. Imagine. 

29 comments:

marcia said...

Welcome home
Oh it sounds magical and glorious and probably more than I could ever imagine.
Pictures are beautiful.

I will save my pennies now for next year. How can I not?


happy day!

Karen Wallace said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to teach. Warmly, Karen

ali said...

what a beautiful post judy! i SO missed being there to help you this year. YOU are the magical one and I will never forget the two wonderul days I spent with you last year. It was inspiring just being WITH you!
with love, ali

Dori Patrick said...

This sounds so heavenly!!! Maybe someday I'll be able to visit!!!

And so it goes... said...

Judy, Judy, Judy... If I could do cartwheels, I'd be doing them!
Zippity-do-dah, such happy news!!!
xoxoxoxodeb/debbie/debra

Ro Bruhn said...

Great venue, great company, great food what more can you ask.
So glad you're back to teaching again Judy.

Unknown said...

Wow, for a moment I was transported, but more importantly your reminder of how we encourage one another, thank you!

Meri said...

I am so thrilled you had voice enough to go. (Is that Liz L I see there? Did she bring Ellie?)

Jill said...

How blissful to take part in such an event and what a wonderful location.

Anonymous said...

I am glad you made it home safe and sound....with new clothes..hee..hee.

katie said...

oh this sounds like heaven, i'm so happy for you and all who shared this beautiful time and space. i really must get to squam one day. soon. i need to start a bucket list, it will be near the top.
xoox

liz elayne lamoreux said...

love this glimpse into your experience. yes.
xoxo

MB Shaw said...

Beautifully stated. I am glad you got home safely. It was simply wonderful to spend time with you.
xoxo

Lynn Cohen said...

Must be such a special place because you are in it spreading your magic!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing a little piece of the journey with us. Such a beautiful place, I love the pictures. I'm looking forward to your wax painting class at Art&Soul in a few weeks!
♥Jenny

Janine said...

Happy you are home and safe! Can't wait to hear more!

Clare Wassermann said...

oooooo keep going - I want to come from England for my 50th birthday (in 4 years!) xxxxx

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a special, wonderful place! I can't wait to hear more!

somepinkflowers said...

hello
hello
judy!
i am now even
More Determined
to take one of your workshops!


:-)


watch
for my smiling face
playing
soon
at a workshop
near
you...

gina armfield said...

looks like a slice of heaven - ahhhh

Susan Stokinger said...

Hi Judy, So perfectly said. I loved Squam and I really enjoyed the time we spent together. I love my journal and paper. On vendor night I went right over to Mary Beth Shaw and bought the stencils. I am off to make some paper and work in my journal. xxoo Susan Stokinger

Parabolic Muse said...

YAY! Looking forward.

BJ Lantz said...

It was so, so nice to see you, Sistaha. Peace & Love :-)

I'll get some pics up on my blog soooooooon :-))

OfficeTYPE said...

Wow what a gorgeous setting for a workshop. Looks like a fun time!

lyle baxter said...

judy, so glad things went well at squam and that you were warmer than last year! I know you were concerned about teaching, but it sounds like that was a success too! three cheers! lyle

Karen Cole said...

It looks like you experienced even more magic. How could you stand it? Are your laugh muscles sore? I can smell the pine through your photos.

Life is good.

You were a joy to share it with.

Seth said...

You have captured the magic in your photographs. This is sounding like a must-visit place for sure.

Michelle said...

The sunny room filled with crafting people looks so magical. I'm still a college student with no free time in the fall, and no money, but someday I am going to make it to one of these!

beth said...

Thanks for a fab workshop Judy. I posted about it here http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com/2010/10/wabi-sabi-paper-class-with-judy-wise.html

It was so lovely to spend time in class with you, and I am happy to say my roll of paper made it all the way back to England safely!

Beth