Healing Through Art
Last week was a week I had been looking forward to all year, the Plein-air Grand Marais event. I thought for sure I wasn't going to able to make it this year because of my dad getting sick,
then going into hospice and shortly after passing. At first, I was thinking about not going as it was only 5 days after Dad passed. I had already put down money for the accommodations that I would not be able to get back and I was so psyched about going to my favorite plein-air event all year. We arranged everything for my dad and my family said I should go and with their blessing, I went.
I am so happy I went and the reasons are because of
so many wonderful things. When I paint plein air it is like I am meditating, I am in my own creative world, relaxed and just going through the motions. Painting brings me to such a wonder place in my mind.
At this event, I know so many of the artists and they are my plein-air family. Many times during the week I thought about my dad and they were happy thoughts and I had the chance to share them with my creative family. It helped to grieve my dad's
loss while being surrounded by wonderful people, in the most beautiful location, and painting and being creative which was so healing to me.
With all that was good, I did realize that I was needed back home because of a few things going wrong at my mom's house like the water heater going down and a faucet breaking. So I decided I needed to return early. I had to cancel the 2 workshops I was going to do, knowing after a week home I will have
to go again to a 3rd workshop, Dillman's and another plein-air event in Iowa.
I did get home to help mom and we will be going out a few times before I head out again on Sunday to Dillman's to teach a watercolor workshop, which is also something that I love to do, I love teaching.
I hope art and being creative treat you as well as it does me. I know it can be hard and be a lot of work, but take it from me it
is well worth the hard work and time. After all the hard work, know that it will be such a wonderful blessing to be able to create beautiful works of art.
Art peace be with you!
David
