Las Vegas Art and Soul

Last Saturday, I loaded up the car with clothes, art supplies, and a cooler full of food and drove to Vegas.  I know we seem to go there quite often, but this time was something different.  This time I was going to attend the Art and Soul Retreat.  I have never been to a retreat like Art and Soul before, and I had no idea what to expect.  I wanted to go for several reasons:
1.  My dear friend Carla Sonheim was going to be there, teaching.  I haven't seen her in a couple of years, and to have her come so close to Joshua Tree without making an effort to see her was just silly.
2.  I love new experiences, and was curious about Art and Soul.
3.  I needed to do something for myself.  It isn't often that I take the time and spend money on something that is just FOR ME, and I felt like maybe it was something I should do.
4.  Art has become so serious for me - in light of my husband's upcoming furlough and my desire to make money so I don't have to quit painting - new pressures have affected my art.  I wanted to rediscover the "fun" part of art.

I nearly talked myself out of going several times.  I worried about the money.  I worried about taking the time away from the studio, and my most recent paintings.  I worried some more about the money.  I worried about leaving Mr. Pono the dog, who has a way of making me feel really bad when I leave.  I tormented myself and agonized.  Then, finally, I just told myself to GO.  So, I went.  I am so glad I did!  Carla and I had so much fun, reconnecting.  I took an Art Journaling class from Jan Harris, and have discovered something totally new and exciting.  I took Carla's drawing class and had a great day, drawing and learning from my friend and an artist I deeply respect.  I wandered up and down the strip, taking photos and sketching whatever caught my eye.  I discovered that I don't really like the strip.  I got to explore Vegas in my own way, on my own time schedule.  I met some wonderful people.  All in all, it was a great trip. 

A self portrait taken somewhere along the strip.

I will be blogging more about Vegas in the next couple of days.  It's good to be home.