April 21, 2008

This past Sunday, fun-loving Michelle Ward and her talented friend and artist Judi Riesch, invited me to spend the day with nine artistic bloggergals and artists at Judi's home. I can't even begin to tell you how inspiring that day was for me. All the women are mixed media artists, creating collage and assemblage pieces. My focus is usually in photography and sometimes in encaustic painting so it was a real treat to be a "fly on the wall" on Sunday, hearing these women describe their creative process and seeing their artwork first hand.

Judi Riesch is an amazing artist with such an open, generous spirit. Her home is filled with her own artwork along with those created by other artists... thick handbound books filled with small objects and beautiful paintings, frames with tintypes, feathers and wires, assemblages in boxes that seemed to tell stories... I think my favourite part was walking through her rooms and seeing all the gorgeous little displays and sigh-inducing vignettes Judi has created through her home. She really has a terrific eye for details and for putting individual pieces together, creating a collection that has feeling and meaning. She had me thinking, Maybe I could do that in my home, too?

   

My friend and bloggergal Karen came to the get-together and brought a group of her friends who are currently visiting her from various parts of the country and in Judy Wilkenfeld's case, from Australia.

Judy Wilkenfeld brought out her incredible handbound book, The Twelve Tribes of Israel, and explained to us the meaning behind each of the pages. I was impressed not only by the beauty of the book was but how much research had gone into creating each page representing an Israelite tribe. Every tiny detail added to a page had a deep symbolic meaning and Judy's explanation of the pages was fascinating.

Judi's friend, Bee Shay, also showed us pages from her own beautiful books. From what I heard, her studio is a treasure trove filled to the brim with finds from Nature.

I finally got to meet Karen's friends Jerri, Joy and Kathryn. Leslie came and brought her camera which makes me smile because we both share a love for photographing our surroundings and our cameras tend to be within hand's reach.

Thank you, Michelle and Judi (and Judi's sweet husband, John) for organizing and inviting me to this bloggergal get-together!

Photos (top to bottom): Michelle holding one of Judi Riesch's assembled books; Kathryn, Joy and Karen admiring the pages of another assembled book by Judi; closeup of Judy Wilkenfeld's book, The 12 Tribes; Judy W. looking through Judi R.'s book; Bee talking with Michelle; Kathryn, Leslie and Joy sharing a peek into Judi's book.   

Comments

[Leslie M.]

Yesterday ranks right up there on my list of FUN days! Your photos are wonderful, Susanna, as always. You inspire me, and I hope our paths cross many more times!

[michelle ward]

Susanna! Fun to see the day through your view finder and words. So glad you were free to join in on the last minute round-up and that we not only got to spend the afternoon together but finally got to meet each other's friends. What's next???

[bella]

Sounds like a fabulous time! I love your photo of the book on the 12 tribes.

[stephanie]

Susanna,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful weekend! You east coast blogger gals are the most talented and amazing group of women!!

Keep going back to all of your posts to catch every last detail. Too bad Constance was away...

x...x
steph

[rochambeau]

A Blogger Gal Convention! How exciting!! Just wonderful. So glad you had the chance to do this and the opportunity to meet Judy W! You are lucky!!

xo
Constance

[Lisa Hoffman]

Nothing like cross-pollination to inspire!
I'm so happy to see your lovely photos documenting what sounds like a day to remember.

I especially love the shot of Michelle's hands holding Judi's book. Your shots are always spot-on.

Lisa Hoffman

[eb]

oh my - what a wonderful gathering - coming over now from Leslie's - the richness of artistry and friendship is very sweet indeed...

thanks for sharing it with us

xox - eb.

[Gillian]

What fun! I read back a few posts too...you've been a busy chickie!
It's nice to see how others work isn't it? We can always find ways to improve ourselves when we watch how others do something. Your blog is a breath of fresh air! Enjoy the day!!! xo

[art Tea Life]

oh what fun what fun what fun !

The Twelve Tribes of Israel books look so intriguing.

Oh I bet you were just pooped out after looking and thinking and inspecting all of that. And the creative energy must have been WONDERFUL !

all of these lovely links to follow up on - wooo. thanks.
Love, S

[Isabel]

Sounds like you had a "delicious" time!Thank you for sharing it with us. I especially like your close up photography, the way it capture the essence of the art and the artists.

[Ulla]

OMG that sounds like an AMAZING day! What a group of talented women! Did you take any interior photos??? I love Judi's style and work, she seems like an endless fountain of inspiration! Can't wait to see how your work will change...

[collette]

I think it so wonderful that you have been blessed to be able to spend time amongst such wonderfully creative woman, yourself included of course. I would have loved to have been there. So happy you are enjoying these great times and glad you are sharing them with us.

[Jamie]

What a wonderful time that must have been. I met Judy W. briefly at ArtFest after my class with Michael. I didn't know anything about her book at the time or I surely would have asked to see it.

Susanna, thanks again for the encouragement to start my own blog. You were correct, I have met so many incredible people since then.

[Judy Wilkenfeld]

Hi Susannah - well I had tried numerous times to comment here but to no avail however I just wanted to say how wonderful it was to meet you. Your photos are wonderful!!! i am so glad we got to share in a most amazing and inspiring day together. Looking forward to our next meeting.
xox

[o l g a]

Dear you!

I´m sitting here at my desk feeling the breeze coming in through the door while traveling in my mind together with you. Thanks for taking me with you through your blog to your wonderful, creative gatherings!!!