Spring Studio Day – and what it taught me about quietness

There are days that fill my mind and heart with tasks – all of them are good, right, exciting, and appreciated, but they are hectic and cloud my actions. I often loose the ability and time to reflect of the goodness of the past because the present has so filled my attention.

I don’t know about you, but I am the kind of person who needs to be really deliberate about taking a break and reflecting on the beauty of the past or I will march on, full speed ahead, living solely in the moment, steam-roller nipping at my heals.

I was so, so grateful to put a pause on life this past weekend, to refresh my soul and recharge my imagination. Three beautiful women came together, amidst the hustle and crazy in their own lives, and held a “Spring Studio Day” at the most magical artist’s home in Athens, GA. The home and gardens, owned by painter and sculpture Lamar Wood, are over 100 years old, and the richness of the place was literally palpable. I felt it the moment I drove down the winding, bumpy, tree-draped driveway.

We spent the day wandering the grounds, gathering greens from the cultivated gardens and wild things from the woods, making beautiful light drawings using Cyanotype photographic techniques, styling and photographing beautiful vignettes, enjoying delicious meals created with organic, local fair, and talking about the philosophy and purpose of creativity and life. It was deep and beautiful and I found that the more space I gave to my thoughts, the more I had space in my mind for meditating, praying, and inspiration.

Quietness has that effect on a busy mind. I need more of it in my life.

Thank you Paige French, Rinne Allen, and Eve Nettles for hosting this beautiful and powerful day. I am so thankful.

“You will create something undeniably beautiful – something that will surprise you.” – Paige French

13 comments

Beautiful pictures !

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soo pretty! ❤ ❤

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Lovely photos lovely words. Post exudes the calm,peaceful feeling you describe

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Your posts never fail to blow my mind! Always so beautifully written and the pictures are exceptionally captivating and truly stunning.

Xo. http://www.sonamnaiducreative.com

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Sweet friend, you summed up our day completely. Thank you or sharing how this impacted you… honestly I almost felt like we, the women who created SSD, were those that benefited most. We, too, felt filled and refreshed. We also felt the slowness was so needed, each in our own particular ways. I am grateful to have been part of it, and I am grateful you were too. Love to you.

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