next time you drive out to the desert and head to palm springs promise me you'll crank up a frank sinatra cd. you will feel totally glamorous. even if your jalopy is dirty and you're wearing stretch pants and big rubber crocs. true story.
here are all of the pages i created while in the desert:
i just draw what i see! oh and…drawing with a color brush pen is way easier if you have a beer first.
copied from: on the left-coloring book. on right pam's journal. it's a visual journal, not fine art. anything goes. whenever i go to an art retreat with friends it always happens. we grab each other's books and have a copyfest. 100% fun!
lettering is v. hard to copy unless you have the skills to back it up. thus mine is wonky. who kayUHs?! also my gopher/squirrel/rat's carrot has attached itself to his chest. whatevAH!
pam made one of the signs on the bottom right. so i did too!
pam & sister have both been blogging about our art retreat. HERE and HERE.
after taxes, fees, & pool heating charges THIS place set us back approx. 475 buckeroos each. in case you were wondering. i always do. seems expensive for 3 nights, but considering the size, indoor, outdoor space, pool, jacuzzi, and 3 nice tables to choose from, a fridge full of beer/soda left over from the last tenents, a welcome basket, super nice owner, and total privacy; i think it's a good investment. the mood enhancing benefits can't be overlooked either!
in other news, a fieldtrap to UCLA with my new class of cute kiddos yesterday left me exhausted. it's an enormous campus and hilly. oyvey. sister & i are having a facetime journal fest at noon. then i'm hunkering down in my bear cave for a long winter's nap. life is good in the hood. hope this dispatch finds you happily puttering away at something that thrills & delights. i'll just be here restin' and relaxin'…
Domenico says
You’ve gone mad with color!
Mary Ann Moss says
cindy – the pages are a combo of watercolor & cheap craft acrylic paint. no gouache.
Cindy Courtney says
ok, just checking: water color? acrylic? gouache? love the colors
barbara says
Oh my goodness, what a time you all had. Gorgeous journal pages, love the Nathalie Lete ones. I have a couple items from Anthropologie with her artwork on the. Plates..I have plates, gonna try to draw one today. I listen to Frank only once in awhile, but Leonard is always on here every day. I really love the Palm Springs cottage! So happy to hear of your new school experience as well.
Susie LaFond says
I’d say you guys rocked the desert and then some and I can’t think of a better way to spend 475. I’d do it in a heart beat if I could. You guys are simply the best. Your pages are awe-so-mundo-terrific and DA BOMB!!!!!! Thems some seriously sweet digs for a weekend getaway. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, settle in for some serious relaxing or play whatever suits ya.
Michele Unger says
Those visual journals you three produce are just the best inspiration! I’ve got a killer case of jet lag and yet, having read this blog post, i had to pull out my sketchbook and play for a bit. Now? Nap time!
XO
Janet Ghio says
Oh I just have to tell you that I bought Mark Hearlds book after you talked about it and it is just the BEST!! Love, love, love it!
kass hall says
Frank Sinatra makes EVERYTHING glamourous, standard. Lovin me some Frankie.
Loretta says
OK, I think 475 is a great price, considering that you are doing an art retreat – and a 3 day art retreat is now about 700 plus. Friends, art, food, drink, sun = priceless!
Liz in Oregon says
Thanks for the Paulus video – newly OBSESSED. Whenever I stumble upon someone like this, (also Mary Oliver and William Stafford via you, MAM), I wonder how it is these souls exist/existed and I never knew. And how many await discovery. It is a big world, no? xxoo
Polly Johnson says
Since I don’t see myself driving near Palm Springs anytime soon, I think I will see Frank can make me feel glamorous when I’m wearing clod hopper boots and a hoodie sweatshirt over tons of other layers! Maybe it will make me warmer too! Thanks for sharing – the posts always make me smile and wish for a more nomadic life.
Lynette (NZ) says
Lovely post – full of colour – just like you 🙂 I see those wall art designs and think stencils…still so loving that class you made way back when
Lisa says
This is my “Go-To” Blog for inspiration and Creative Mental Health. Who needs a life coach when you and the Sassy Crew of Coolness lead by example? This Saturday I’m drinking ginger beer, adding to MY skewed and wacky journal, and trying to decide if sending Benedict Cumberbatch a fan letter is as creepy as it sounds…..
Linda Watson says
That place is SO Palm Springs. Reeks of Sinatra, Dean, the Rat Pack. Love that you went, that you shared and that you’re liking your class of kiddos.