Four weekends ago I went to an Altered Book workshop at Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts. I walked from Dupont Circle, a crisp walk, to U Street where Smith Farm sits, rang the bell and skipped up the narrow stairs to an open, brightly lit, airy space. I was late so I tried to slide in unannounced but the group was too small for that. Instead, I was immediately greeted by Dari, Smith Farm's Program Director, then by Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, next by Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC, both presenters and all extremely lovely ladies....
Two Thursdays ago, I again attended yet another SmithFarm event. This was an intriguing lecture, Art and the Intersubjective Experience by Art Therapist, Savneet Talwar. It wasn't at all what I expected it to be....
So, this is where I get stuck.
I've been writing this post for almost a month. A prime example of strike while the iron's hot. I was so excited to be doing this workshop, the lecture and even more excited to finally meet these ladies I've talked to, gotten advice from for over a year. But I lost something along the way. At least I thought I did.
Both these events were so much fun. Actually more than just fun. I felt like I could explode from sheer excitement. Getting my hands dirty with paint and clay, communing with others who have everything and nothing in common with me, sharing-receiving-giving new meanings to my perception on life/art. I can't really give any concrete reasons and I don't want to go into specifics about my experience. Its one of those "you had to be there" experiences and that's what took so long to come to. I couldn't find the words to write so I wrote nothing. Today it was found. The excitement was rekindled today as I worked on my altered book.
I opened my drawer of paints, pulled a couple of paint brushes from my can, kneeled down and began to paint my reaction to my trees. When I stepped away, it was complete and my expression was caught in this book. No more hummingbird, just my feeling for a fallen tree. Tomorrow my husband and I will go out to evaluate the damage and I'm okay with cutting away the branches; cutting a tree down altogether. Its okay to let go and see things from a different perspective.

I tried growing a garden last year but we all know gardens need sunlight. I was emotionally attached to my trees so to save the trees I decided to figure out how to grow a moss garden. I was hiding the fact that I really wanted to grow fruits and vegetables. Long story short, I think there will be new life for my garden this Spring.
I really dig going to Smith Farm.
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