Giddy. Giddy, I tell you. That's how I felt when I arrived at our first CREATE retreat last year and the stars came out. There I was, standing at my Studios booth in the store and display area, and one by one, artists I felt I knew–but I had never met–wandered in.
It was like having a frontrow seat at a Hollywood red carpet event. Oh my gosh, it's Beryl Taylor! Look, Jane LaFazio! And Jamie Fingal with Leslie Tucker Jenison–hey, they are best buds in real life. Linda Blinn, Kelli Perkins, Judy Coates Perez–all amazing artists I'd interviewed, emailed, and Facebook friended…whose art left me breathless–they walked right in front of me.
And then, they each came up and hugged me. What's more, I watched this scene played out all around me, the entire weekend, as other "friends who've never met" hugged and squealed as they met for the first time or again after a long separation.
Then the best part: everyone got to make art together.
This year we will host two CREATE retreats. The first one comes up in Costa Mesa, California, May 18-21, 2011, and we already have an impressive line-up of artists I can't wait to meet. Here's a sneak peek.
The range of artist who will be teaching at CREATE this year is wide and varied. The entire list of instructors and classes, as well as registration information, is all available on the CREATE Costa Mesa Retreat website. Go visit it now for the scoop!
I know I can't wait to meet my old friends, make new ones, and make art together.
P.S. Did you go to CREATE last year? Which "friend you've never met" did you get to see there? What was that like? Leave a comment below.