in about a week, our annual winter art retreat usually held in palm springs (last year joshua tree) will begin. sister will be flying into LA, arriving at moss cottage and we’ll be jetting off into the desert. we’ve been texting each other like crazy. “can’t wait” “dying for this” “almost there!” “how many more days?”
i’ve been in an art making drought so am especially looking forward to being inspired by the other 2 attendees, carol & pam. a drought is a difficult thing to weather. you vaguely remember being a creative firestorm, but lately everything has dried up. nothing, and i mean nothing is kindling. here’s where i insert a warning. do not. under any circumstances try to cheer me up or administer any platitudes. i will find it annoying in the extreme.
when i’m in a dry spell it’s an inner process that i have to work myself through. i share it with you only to let you know that if you too go through these perfect storms of creative dryness, well so do i. we’re in this together. i can tell you i feel so much better now that i’ve confessed the drought i’ve been in. it’s sort of felt like a secret i’ve been keeping. well cat’s outta da bag! i’m taking off this lead diving suit i’ve been wearing. ahhhhh. so much better!
i’ve been sharing visual journal & sketchbook pages here for over a decade, but for the last months my shares have dwindled down to almost nothing. i haven’t felt any sort of pressure to share, and i still don’t. BUT I WANT TO. i look back at years of sketchbook shares and think, did i make those pages? where is that person? and when is she coming back?
oh boy! this is not the post i intended to write. i was going to share some photos from past art retreats and just give you a head’s up about what to find on DFLA in the coming days. but lookie here. look what i went and did.
yadda yadda blah blah.
here’s the photos!
#noadvicenoplatitudes
Odette says
Sounds like you need a good trip to the art supply store!
Victoria Gelberg says
You are the prima ballerina of honest art pursuits.
And that’s inspiring.
Even in a desert.
Sandra L. says
Ah, the dry spell. Wish I could say it never happened to me.
I wish I had someone to hang out with and do arty things. I used to go to Art & Soul Retreats but can’t b/c of my job. Plus it would be more fun the way you ladies do it! So I rely upon online friends/classes like yours. 🙂
Be well, MAM. Thanks for your many posts over the years!
Mary Ann Moss says
aw thanks sandra…i will be blogging from the art retreat and probably putting some videos up on facebook or instagram… just little glimpses here and there
SusanS says
Cocktails-show us your cocktails!
Susan Kettner says
Looks so fun and cozy!!
Diana says
I always love your art retreats and am always envious of your fun, sharing and creating. I’m about to try to sketch our new puppy now, the one we pick up in a week. The one where the snow is twice as tall as she is. The one we will potty train in the coldest of winter. The one that will heal my soul after the loss of our girl a few months ago. Can’t wait to see what you girls make.
Mary Ann Moss says
oh diana, i’m so glad you have that dear pup. i saw your sketch on IG. fabulous!
Robin Sears says
I completely relate to your art drought – feeling one here – have been bingewatching Creativebug videos for the past two days to get my mojo back – going through every single class taught by Pam, Lisa, Yao etc – slowly but surelywaking up. What I really need is another MAM gouache/sketchbooking/art journaling class – yours are SOSOSOSOSO motivating and fun and spark all the creative juices! Thank you! Enjoy your retreat!
Mary Ann Moss says
thanks so much robin. when i get my groove back maybe some ideas will bubble to the surface. xo
Maria says
That looks like so much fun! I need that kind of retreat!
Mary Ann Moss says
how i love them…look everywhere among all of your friends and relations and try to put something together…no matter how small.
Janet Ghio says
Nothing more fun than an art retreat with good friends!! laugh loud and long and hard! Throw some colorful paint around and have a wonderful time!!
Faith McLellan says
I need details, details, details. What time do y’all get up? Do you work on the same project, like, ready, set, go! Or is everybody doing her own thing? Is there a theme? Are there prompts? What if somebody says, I can’t think of anything?! Is there cooking or takeout, or just cheese and crackers and wine? FULL O’ QUESTIONS IN 2018! Have a blast, y’all!
Mary Ann Moss says
will send you a post card with the deets. stay tuned xo
Margit says
no worries if there aren’t any arty pics in your posts for a while. I am VERY happy with cat pictures and photos of anywhere sunny. Just don’t post photos of cocktails by a pool, otherwise I may be that weird stalker follower that suddenly turns up …….
Mary Ann Moss says
thanks margit. we’ll keep our eyes out for ya! ha ha ha!
Sister!!!! says
Hahaha! I almost forgot about my visit to the planet of the apes at art retreat. I am drafting an opening ceremony that includes dancing, portrait painting, and story telling. GET READY!!!!
Mary Ann Moss says
oooooh can’t wait!
Karen Goetz says
I’m right there with you in Droughtsville. There are legit reasons for it. It will return eventually like a chocolate craving. I am convinced.
Have a blast with Pam and Carol. I know you don’t need encouragement to do that.😀
Mary Ann Moss says
thanks karen dear, will do!
Claudia Fuller says
I totally get what you’re saying – having been somewhat in that less than inspired mode for the past several weeks. Yay for art retreats although I’ve been to some over the years where I merely visited with people, ate and drank and didn’t create a thing because, yes, I was in a dry place. Hoping your creative juices are renewed and, if they aren’t, that you still manage to laugh much and enjoy yourself.
Mary Ann Moss says
aw thanks claudia. the combination of art, food, drink, friends is intoxicating!
Marline Smallwood says
Wish I was a fly on the wall at your retreat. Wait! Someone might whack me. I think I’d rather be a lovely dragonfly for all to sketch if they wanted.
Missing my “art wife” so I’m especially envious of your retreat!! It sounds like you travel like we do – maybe one day we’ll adventure together.
Enjoy your well deserved time off!!
Mary Ann Moss says
that we get to do this. sigh. ain’t life grand missus dragonfly?
Violet Cadburry says
Love those sketches, especially the portraits. You get a lot of character into your subjects. Are you struggling with sleep apnea or bunions? These conditions are known to suck the motivation out of creative types. I should know. I won’t tell you the cure though, unless you beg.
Mary Ann Moss says
ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!! i can always count on my bunny to know the problem behind the problem!!! xo
magpie says
eat, drink and be mary
annie vanderven says
,No platitudes no advice, you and I are passengers on the same boat !!! when you find the solution send it my way, of course the weather here in Ct is a real downer…
Mary Ann Moss says
meetcha up on the top deck for a sunrise walk.
Gwen Delmore says
I just made plans today for a “retreat” in my studio next month with a favorite art pal, she’s bringing shoe&tell and I’m looking forward to getting the creative juices going, and lots of gab time!
Glad you’ve got one to look forward to, too!
xo,
Gwen
Mary Ann Moss says
shoe and tell! LOVE that idea. hee hee
Tina says
You’re fantabulous. That is al.
Mary Ann Moss says
you so nice 🙂
Melinda Sohval says
Since I am a paid professional platitude giver as well as an overwrought Jewish mother, I am struggling on how best to support you, and not give you verbal chicken soup, so I am going with this..I love your courage and grit and the fact that you are struggling makes me love you even more..by writing this blog, you might have inspired more people than your sketch book drawings. Also, take care of precious you. And look at Brene Brown and Buddhism and the history of the Jewish people ( specifically suffering and being stuck in the desert). Who loves you Baby?
Mary Ann Moss says
when are we going on vacay again? i needs my melinda fix. STAT.