Collaborative and Harmonious…
…two words that shone through Emandal’s June ArtStay this year. A group of mostly women, with one brave young man, spent their time on the farm thoroughly enjoying the companionship, camaraderie and synergetic energy surrounding them. Some were here to focus on their own art-work and/or writing, while others eagerly embraced all that their instructors put forth. The weather cooperated beautifully, even though we knew it was summer! The meals were exceptional…. the river beautiful…. the discussions never-ending.
Laura Fogg, a well-known, award-winning art quilter from Ukiah, has been most inspirational during our ArtStays…. this year being no exception. A first-time quilter, and a long time quilter worked diligently throughout, with magnificent results.
Our friend Bobbie Yokum has taken every ArtStay class we’ve offered, and mastered them all! This time, she turned the tables, and became the instructor. Below, you’ll see her students working with postage stamps to create collages. Bobbie is from Willits, and has her framed stamp art for sale at Brickhouse Coffee.
“Fun with Gourds” was included the first day of the Creativity Workshop.
Nature Journaling with Laura Corben had folks working with colored pencils, water-color paint…. and regular pen and pencil. Their activities, though focussed a lot on the garden, took them down to the river as well as up to the lake.
As I mentioned before, discussions happened throughout! Whether one on one, or with a group, words flowed. Each late afternoon, prior to dinner, a show and tell… or sip and share… We all got to hear about each class, and listen to pieces writers had written.
Ginger, the doyen of the feline clowder at Emandal
Some folks came on their own, whereas some came together…. as in “two sisters and a sister-in-law”…. and a group of “fast friends for forty years”….
It was hard not to take advantage of the many hands motto….. one night after dinner, in ten minutes, we planted 100 Sweet William starts! All to the accompaniment of Annie and some wonderful original songs. Hopefully, she’ll join us next year, when we plan to have a Song-Writing Workshop.
I’m a bit prejudiced, but the food was lovely….. Breakfast included eggs from our own chickens, house-roasted coffee, fresh nectarines, oodles of our own jam to top off made-from scratch hot breads. Dinner “ranged” from salmon to our own chicken to our own beef. Delicious!
So much more to tell… but the best way is to come and experience! We have an ArtStay September 10-14, 2025. There are still a few openings. Click Here to find out just what is on the schedule!
A little wave, hello or good-bye, from our “laundry on the river.”