It's been a dozen years in the making... a dedicated place to create. If you or your children have ever taken an art class with me, you know that it's been at the dining room table of my big kitchen. We've sipped tea together, laughed, learned and experimented in this space. While it has served us well, it's been tugging at me to have a separate, bigger place to create with you. A Create Place. An attached art studio that I can hardly wait to move my giant, paint splattered desk into. We are about a week away from occupying it!

We don't know all of the ways that God will use  A Create Place , but we do know it will be a place to more comfortably collaborate with students and clients, explore different mediums, practice, learn, gather with community and be inspired together.

I'll be offering studio time each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Rather than the more formal class with a structured lesson approach, we'll be changing it up a bit. In Open Studio I'll be demonstrating as I paint and explaining what I'm doing as I go.  It will be an open forum for students to work on their own projects using their medium of choice or simply relax and learn by watching others. 

We also plan to use this new space to host a Thursday evening drawing class, private paint parties, watercolor workshops and monthly kid's classes. More details to come on all of those things, but for now you can use those links to read more about them.

I hope you'll join us at A Create Place. Here is the link to book your Open Studio time. 

If you've known me long, chances are you've heard me talk about my friend, Missy. She is one of those people that knowing her, changes you. You may think you'll just walk away and smile at her quirky ways and Missy-isms, but nope, she'll get in your head and affect you. You'll start questioning and thinking about yourself and your junk.

I met Missy in church circa 1999. Since then, we have shared innumerable cups of coffee,  done art shows together, talked until I needed a nap and laughed our heads off. She lives, creates (and decorates) by her own rules.

I recently visited her in Florence, Alabama, for her daughter's wedding. I also got to visit with her 6 kids who I love and see her new shop, Mom's. 

While that weekend was truly about her beautiful daughter's celebration, her kids had hired me to paint her in front of her shop and this was my opportunity to personally deliver it. While I was there, I couldn't help but reflect on some of the things that she's taught me.

Nobody has shown me better than Missy to let go of my people pleasing tendencies. When I'd worry about what people think or was steeping in anything that couldn't be changed or helped, she'd tell me, "Caryn, flush it!" This was her way of telling me to let it go, leave it alone, give it a rest, etc... I can't tell you how many times I've heard those very words replayed in my head when obsessing over something I can't control. 

Not only does she fill baskets and jars with Pez dispensers, spools, beads and vintage finds, but her friendships are colorful as well. She has taught me that those "fringe friends" in your life (the ones who you may not normally think to call, are some of the best and most underrated people.) When she lived in Florida, her big table was always full of different people all sharing a need to kick off their shoes and be in a place of non-judgement, laughter and soul rest. She lives out her motto that you don't have to go to church to be the church.

OK, maybe a clean house is lovely, but Missy has taught me that to spend your time listening to others, serving and exploring creative pursuits is worthwhile.  Cleaning house is good, but should not be elevated in importance beyond truly living and loving well. The same goes for dirty feet ...

It's OK to experiment and head down a creative path just for the bliss of it. She freely shares her in-process furniture, thrift store finds, and beads and baubles, knowing that in the end it may be junk, or it may be something brilliant. Either way, you explored something new, did not stay in your "creative lane" and tried what may just become your next favorite thing to make.

So, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Florence one day ... come meet "Mom" at Seven Points. You'll be glad you did!

Last week I had the pleasure of creating a memory piece for a family whose father kept a journal. To bless his legacy and remind them of his kind heart, his daughter had me put together one of us journal entries with his handwriting and some imagery from the entry. I've never created a piece like this before.

I've always loved wild strawberries, dogwood trees and cardinals! All such glorious creations by the All Mighty! Since painting cardinals was new to me,  I had to study them a bit to see what details I wanted to include.

What makes these birds so unique to me is their vibrant coloring and their black mask. I knew that I wanted to feature it's mask prominently.

I'm not a gadget girl. I try to stick to what I know works in terms of kitchen untensils, woodworking tools and yes paint brushes! That said, I've wondered how people make those mini paintings the size of a dime without their hands getting in the way of their view! I like to quip that I have man hands. They are not big in size, but are certainly not slender in form. It's tough to see around my chunky fingers to what I'm painting if it is in a small area. While working on this piece, I decided to purchase and try out the Princeton Velvet Touch Tight Spot angled brush. I have to say, although the brush looks a little funny, I loved using it! Here is one of those, "form follows function" moments. I could easily see what delicate areas I was working with without getting in my own way.

I'm including a little step-by-step watercolor cardinal tutorial to show how I tackled this little guy.

This piece got me thinking about journal entries that I have of my dad. I may consider making something like this from one of the cards or things he has written on. I have a hard time throwing anything away with his handwriting on it. Just so special to memorialize I think.

Let me know what you think if you try out the Princeton brush or if you ever want a special piece made just for your family.

As we look ahead toward the simplicity of summer, one of the things I start to think about is how to connect with my kids. I crave that calming down, take it slow, look-you-in-the-eyes space that summer brings. Especially after a year like this!
One of the ways that I've always enjoyed connecting with my kids is by making things. I love sitting at a drop cloth covered table, having a snack and working on making something fun together. The sweet conversation just seems to flow better when their hands are busy. As my kids are getting older, these making-things-moments have given way to talking while cooking food, being outside while they hit golf balls or just sitting together by the fire pit. Their activities will change, but us being willing to give them our undivided attention should not. The one thing I know is that they are growing up way too fast. Being available to just sit and listen has at times become challenging. Certainly this year our patience has been tested.

One word that I love (but is often over used) is, "intentional." Going into their rooms at night to tuck them in bed and pray, planning time to disconnect from screens and connect with one another, sitting and eating meals together... all of it takes intention. Sometimes it feels like such a fight to make these things happen. But it's a battle worth fighting isn't it?

As Miss Holli and I are planning art camp this year, we have been thinking about how we can teach the kids to slow down and really take time to feel their feelings, think their thoughts and really see the world around them.

While we take this weekend to finalize our Camp Create projects, it just occurred to us that all of our projects unintentionally have a united theme! The theme is, "seeing". From googly eyed monsters, to kaleidoscopes to creating a found object treasure box... subconsciously we clearly want the kids to create with an eye towards slowing down, being patient and making something beautiful!

We are reminded of Psalm 119:18 ...
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things…"

This summer as we plan our child's activities, let's all give a nod toward listening, resting, focusing on and truly SEEING them and one another.

Camp Create will be held the following two weeks this summer:
June 21 through 25 and
June 28 through July 2
Both weeks are Monday - Friday 9am to 12.
Ages 6 through 12

Cost is $165 per camper with all materials and supplies provided. As always, discounts are included for families with multiple campers.

Registration closes June 4th.
Read more about it, see pictures and Register Online Here
[email protected] or call 407-421-3198 with questions.