My Fabulous Trip to Florida: Part two

 

I have so many wonderful memories of my time at the Focus on Fiber Florida retreat held at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach.

I felt so spoiled when I saw the little cabin that was my home away from home during my time at the retreat.

 

This was my  view each morning while I had my coffee and my lovely walk to the studio each day.
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I was so surprised when I went to hang up my clothes and saw the inside of the closet filled with signatures from previous occupants.

What caught my eye first was the signature by Bob Ross! although it made sense to see his signature since New Smyrna Beach is the location of Bob Ross’ painting studios where people can take classes to learn his painting his techniques. Then I saw signatures from Pamela Allen, Midge Baudouin and the beloved Allison Stillwell.

This purse was made by retreat organizer Peggy Imbert, from a discarded Bob Ross student canvas found at a second hand store that she stitched into a purse and wrote a Bob Ross quote on.

The Atlantic Center for the Arts is such an incredible facility. These are the buildings where I worked while I was there. The painting studio on the left, was where my class was held, and the sculpture studio on the right was where I continued painting during my free time at the retreat.

A 3 day Acrylic Ink Adventure

This is our first look at the work produced on day one of the acrylic inks class.

 

 

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On the second day we worked on top of the base fabrics created on the first day and on the third day we continued exploring techniques learned over the first two days but with the option of starting with white fabric.

So much amazing work was produced!!

and this is my fantastic class! unfortunately, we are missing two students who had to leave early on the third day.

 

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I love this photo of me next to Mara, I think I’m verging on being a whole foot taller than her.

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This is Nancy who is a very cool woman that is going to open a quilting and fabric shop named Fabrications, that sounds wonderful, in a renovated turn of the century house this fall in Deland, Florida.

I was amazed when Sherry (above) told me she was my workshop assistant in my Tea & Ephemera class at the 2nd Create retreat back in 2009 and that she sat next to Melly Testa in that class and then was Melly’s workshop assistant. 

Then I found out that Marlyn, in the photo above with that great question mark painting, was also in that same Tea and Ephemera Create class, as well as another FOF retreater named Fran (in the photo below, top row 2nd from the right)! And none of these 3 women had known each other until now. It’s such a small world.

This is Susan Shie’s fun class.

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What a treat to meet Bonnie, I love the painting she was working on for Susan’s class.

two fabulous and talented women – Karen Kershaw and Linda Dawson. I feel so blessed that I get to make friends with so many wonderful women on trips like this! 

All our fabulous meals were made by chef Tom.
Here’s all the happy retreaters.

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and each afternoon many gathered on the deck outside the dining room for happy hour. 

 

 

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I want to put a big shout out to these two wonderful women; Mary McBride and Peggy Imbert who organize this fantastic retreat, I had such a great time.

And I am so honored and thrilled that they have invited me back for Focus on Fiber Florida March 2018!!! Woo hoo, I can hardly wait 🙂

Sunrise New Smyrna Beach

ABOUT JUDY
Judy is an artist, explorer, image wrangler, knowledge seeker, instructor, speaker, creative alchemist, and purveyor of inspiration, helping others channel creativity on a daily basis.