Saints Alive Retreat 2014

Saints Alive Retreat 2014.  My first graduating class

Recently, I was given the awesome opportunity to teach a small painting class at North Georgia Christian Camp as part of their annual Saints Alive retreat.  Before we began many of the students confessed to me they had never painted before.  I, then, confessed I had never taught painting.  Welp! Here goes nothin'!

Both the students and I ended up having a great time.  My nervousness faded and they started to let go of their insecurities and just have fun with it.  There was laughter and smiles all around as I walked from table to table.

 "Everyone"s flowers are so different!", someone pointed out.  And it was true.  No two flowers were the same.  How cool is that?!  I am such a detail oriented painter.  I paint exactly what I see in the photo in front of me.  Nothing more, nothing less.  I had been so nervous at first that I wasn't going to be able to teach them how to paint this flower exactly as I had in my demo.  "What if they get frustrated because I'm going too fast?  What if they use too much paint?  What if it's all a disaster and they hate me? (OK, a little dramatic, i know...) But as I looked around the room full of laughter at all of these unique canvases, I realized this is what Art truly is about.  I passed by many of them as they said things along the lines of, "Mine is HORRIBLE, but this is so much fun!" ( always followed by lots of laughter). I couldn't help but laugh, myself, and say, "It's perfect."

The class ended up being so much fun to teach and I think we were all pleasantly surprised with ourselves at the end of the day.  I want to thank North Georgia Christian Camp for inviting me to teach and forcing me to step out of my little comfort zone.  A great time was had by all!

BONUS

Some students even took it upon themselves to further exercise their artistic abilities.

let me introduce myself...

Sooo... i started a blog.

i'll be posting about recent paintings on here.

 but for now, i thought i'd take it back to myspace circa 2005 and answer some really important questions about myself to start things off:

1. Do you have any pets? 
yes.  my husband, Britt, and I have one furry black schnauzer mix named Ellie that i've had since my Junior year of college.  she's one of a kind.

2. Name 3 things that are physically close to you. 
a couch cushion, a water bottle, and a Snack Pack.

3. What was the last book you read?
I'm still trying to get through book 5 of Harry Potter.  but before that was Divergent. 

4. What do you look for in a friend?
a sense of humor is key.  Also, they have to just be a nice human being.  

5. What is your favorite childhood memory?
camp monterey!

6. When was the last time you showered? 
i don't want to talk about it... 

7. What was the last movie you saw? 
LEGO movie with Britt.  it was awesome. 

8. What does your last text message say?
Britt asking, "why are they different than any other chip?"  we were discussing what snacks to get to go with dinner. 

9. What's your ringtone? 
it was a goo goo dolls and indigo girls song (depending on who was calling) but they got deleted after an upgrade...  so now it's a boring generic iphone tone.

10. Have you ever been to a different country?
Jamaica.  I'm a nervous flyer.  and by nervous, i mean borderline hysterical. 

11. Do you like sushi?
never tried it.  not sure i ever will.   

12. Where do you buy your groceries? 
primarily Publix cause it's 2 minutes from our house

13. Have you ever taken medication to help you fall asleep faster? 
no.  

14. How many siblings do you have? 
two older sisters, Jennifer and Priscilla aka Cilla.  they're awesome.

15. Where were you born?
new orleans, la

16. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 
i don't want to talk about it...

17. Do you wear contacts or glasses? 
glasses when i drive, although i should wear them all the time.  tried contacts for like two years but my eyes are super dry and i hated them.  

18. Do you color your hair? 
i have a lot in the past.  but not recently.  i'm poor.

19. Tell me something you are planning to do today. 
buy a very large canvas and hopefully get started on a new painting.

20. When was the last time you cried? 
right after i read #16

21. What is your perfect pizza topping? 
black olives  #hatersgonnahate

22. Which do you prefer-hamburgers or cheeseburgers? 
is this honestly a question? 

23. What is your favorite movie?
Home Alone, and Sleepless in Seattle.  i'm a lame movie watcher.

24. What song do you have on repeat at the moment?
Multiplied, by Needtobreathe.  seriously can't stop listening to it.  their new album is so good.

25. What is your favorite time of day?
When my husband and I get to hang out together.  he makes me laugh.





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