Art Retreat Memories - Part 2

It's Sunday at the retreat and I'm still feeling pretty high after yesterday. I had DJ Pettitt's class to look forward to today and was a little nervous and excited all at the same time.

Here's the view from our bedroom window, if you can enlarge the picture you'll see loads of galahs in the tree ... just magical.

Face painting with DJ was quite frustrating and challenging ... tears threatened to spring from my eyes a couple of times as I allowed myself to feel overwhelmed and inept, as I hadn't really done this kind of painting ever before! After a few deep breaths and some positive self talk, I just got into it and stood over DJ a lot of the time when she was explaining certain techniques and tips to others so I could learn more and grow. When it was my turn to have one-on-one time with DJ she was incredibly encouraging and supportive and even told me that what I was doing was just right ... with a little more confidence I kept at it and was quite pleased with what I achieved, considering it was the first time I'd ever painted a face and I was completely out of my comfort zone!

DJ in action and a captivated audience.

This is the DJ original masterpiece we were aiming to achieve.

My work in progress.

Me with DJ Pettitt.

My final piece ... which probably needs much more work, but I'm leaving it as is.

After all the paint and tools were packed away, some wine, laughs and getting to know each other better was the order of the night.

The delightful Jen Crossley as .... Captain Underpants (minus the undies over the pants, of course) ... what a hoot!

The infamous Dot Christian - creator of those wonderful Dottee Dolls (and to my wonderful friends making these little cuties they are called "dot-ee" dolls, not "doht-ee" dolls).

We ended the night attempting to play pool ... spent more time laughing and not hitting the balls with the terrible state of the cues and tables ... it was totally hilarious though.

"Self-acceptance comes from meeting life's challenges vigorously. Don't numb yourself to your trials and difficulties, nor build mental walls to exclude pain from your life. You will find peace not by trying to escape your problems, but by confronting them courageously. You will find peace not in denial, but in victory."
~J. Donald Walters, Author, Lecturer and Playwright~