spirit boxes part 1

Happy Monday friends! Before too much time rolls by, I want to share my latest class offering with you. I taught two different classes at Squam Art Workshops: one old and one new. Botanical Printing has long been a favorite and one I'm always excited for. I had a wonderful little group this year, but wasn't so good with my camera! So, I'm putting in a call to all students to please send me any pics you'd like to share, because your work was stunning (and the most complex, to date)! Thanks! Luckily, I've posted loads of photos and words in the past,  so lovely readers... you can check them out here and here.

My newest class,Spirit Boxes, merged some of my favorite elements of teaching into one very special day. We transformed recycled and everyday objects, while simulaneously bringing thought and attention to our inner lives. What a dynamic combination it was! After our warm up exercise (more on that tomorrow), the focus was to create pieces that represented our secret wishes or intentions within the framework of dream-like shadow box. All of the materials used were found and/or recycled.  We gathered in the Sugar House, which also is the camp's nature center. It was an unbelievably perfect setting. In fact, it felt as if we had shrunk and stepped into our very own classroom "shadow box".  My demo spirit box features my favorite arched opening. I made it long before I arrived at Squam and knew where I'd be teaching. Take a look at the doorway to our sweet cabin classroom and then look below. Isn't that wild synchronicity? Squam magic is always afoot! Tomorrow I'll share the amazing work that went on in this Sugar House.  Click on the the photo below for details on this little box- Nester.