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I've lived in Amador County for eight years and I'm planning a move out of state this Fall. It's scary and exciting, but mostly it's difficult because I hold so many of you dear in my heart. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to share a bit about how living here transformed me on a very deep level.
In 2010 my life, as I knew it, shattered. My husband and I had moved from Santa Rosa to Placerville, ready to semi-retire and explore the beautiful Somerset area. But, instead, he shockingly died of a heart attack two months after our move.
I relocated to Amador County a year later and took stock of my life. I noticed a non-fiction writing workshop at the Hein Bookstore in Jackson offered by Sarah Luck Pearson and I felt compelled to sign up.
"The only hope for a writer, really, is that some locked door can be finagled open with a small question." -Sarah Luck
The workshop was grueling. It really was. She demanded we dig and forge for truths within our stories, and so, because it was non-fiction, that meant grappling with perceptions of the experiences we were struggling to express through writing.
As I formulated my story arc, Sarah pushed for a Hero's Journey,
<the hero's journey, is the common template of a broad category of tales and lore that involves a hero who goes on an adventure, and in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then comes home changed or transformed. ~Wikipedia>
I asked myself how had I changed?
It was at this is the point I decided to return to art. It had been a passion during my younger years allowing me a way to express deeply felt emotions, but I had set it aside for the making of careers.
I found an art class in Sacramento and was strongly attracted to several pieces the teacher had painted and were displayed in her studio. She introduced me to Shiloh Sophia and Intentional Creativity.
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Me working on "Freedom"
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After emerging from Shiloh's intensive 8 month "Color of Woman" teaching certification course, I was in love with using art as a way to explore concepts, emotions and experiences and how I could "let go" allowing the image to come alive, becoming a guide and muse throughout the process and beyond.
I wanted to share my experiences with others and began teaching classes, eventually opening up my own studio in Pioneer.
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My first Intentional Creativity painting class in Amador County held at Yoga Moment in Pioneer
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I also discovered SoulCollage, another way to allow images to speak and inform. I became a certified facilitator and was thrilled when students discovered access their own inner Wisdom.
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Despite or perhaps because of this creative exploration, last year I began feeling this chapter in my life is complete. Although it will be difficult to leave, I feel blessed to have met so many beautiful souls, and to have been given time for my own personal healing and growth.
If you've read this far ~ yay! ~ and I'd like to invite you to my artist reception this Sat., July 6 from 2-5pm at the Sutter Creek Gallery (35 Main St., Sutter Creek).
I'm the Featured Artist for July and I'm offering reduced prices on original artwork, prints, unique totes and purses created by Mary Nahhas that incorporate my images, and a variety of other pieces.
I'd love to see you at the reception but if you can't make it, my work will be at the Gallery during July with reduced prices.
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A few years ago when I was Featured Artist at the Gallery.
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I feel fortunate to have met some of you during art shows, others while taking a workshop, and many of you have become very dear friends.
However we have crossed paths, I wish you...
Peace, Love & Good Cheer.
From the heart, Wendy
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Wendy Ward
Artist
Certified Creativity Coach & SoulCollage® Facilitator
www.TheMermaidMuse.com
email: wenders.ward@gmail.com
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