botanical printing 2012

Although I've taught this class each time at Squam it's always different. What remains the same (and is my constant joy) is the support and encouragement that grows out of this simple printing process. The paritcipants always gather to celebrate eachother as individual prints are revealed. It transforms a solitary creative process into something witnessed and applauded. This might sound intimidating to a quiet person, but it's done with such gentle enthusiasm- and it seems to feed everyone's spirit in just the way they need it most.
 My favorite moments in this class were those times when someone's first claim "but I can't draw" was pushed aside with an astonished "I can't believe I did that!". It happened again and again. What an honor to be a part of someone's switch in perception of their true gifts. It's quiet, meditative work and I wish I had even more photos of each woman in their "zone", but this gives you a sense...

Another fun memory was throwing an impromptu mini birthday party for the lovely Adel.  

I must tell you that we bonded instantly when she came into class with her fist ambition to print a luna moth! Can you find it amidst their first sample swatches? Thank you to each of these inspiring and beautiful women, I'm so grateful to have had an opportunity to share this new medium with them. You can click on the bottom photo to take you to flickr to check out the photo in a larger size and get a sense of their gorgeous work. I'll be teaching Botanical Printing again in the fall. It will be the first time in a new environment... by the sea!