Book-in-a-Day 37: Unleashed

Title: Unleashed: A Poem
Structure: Single Sheet Accordion
Dimensions: 7 x 5

Video of my process. 

Well I just had the most amazing and creative weekend I've had in a really long time. It started on Friday morning at 8am with a drive from Oakland, CA to Danville, CA (20 minutes). It's a ride I'd never made before and the beauty of Mt. Diablo reminded me of one of the reasons I fell in love with the Bay Area. I love being out in the first air of the morning, so I rode a part of the way with the windows down so I could enjoy that freshness. I was one of a few cars on the road heading in that direction -- which was a lovely surprise for a Friday morning. A part of me thinks that maybe there were more cars but I blocked them from my memory to make room for all the wonderfulness that followed. 

I arrived at {studio 323*7} owned by Traci Bautista. It's the cutest studio ever -- her artwork graces the front window and once you're inside, you're surrounded by her soul on canvas, paper, fabric, and glass. I was the first to arrive. She greeted me like we were old friends and I immediately felt comfortable. I found my spot for the workshop and settled in as the others started to arrive. 

Traci's teaching style was exactly what I needed -- she showed us techniques, gave us time to play and explore, checked in with us periodically, and gave us so many supplies and materials that I felt like I was in mixed media heaven. In other words, she "unleashed" us and gently walked us to a place of creative freedom. I wanted to try it all!!

By the end of the first day, I could already feel years of stifled thinking falling away. I was starting to see the world differently. I mean, I'm already someone who sees the world differently than many, but this was another kind of seeing. Everything I saw on my drive home became potential material to use in my art or something that sparked an idea for art. 

By the end of the weekend, I felt transformed in a way that I can't really put into words other than to quote Traci -- UNLEASHED. I had been set loose to create in a way that was my own. A way that felt free of perfectionism and absolutely unique to me. What's so great about that? Well I thought I was already free, but now, I'm really FREE. I mean, totally and unapologetically FREE. I'm forever thankful to Traci for that. 

---

The book I made this week for BIAD is an original poem inspired by Traci's workshop. Each page features a scanned copy of one of the painted pages I created at the retreat and one movement of the poem. The spine is also a painted page I worked on while in her class. 

It was a pretty quick book to make considering I made it really late last night after three days of intense art making, but it feels like a really powerful and significant milestone. How often can we pinpoint the moment we realize that our creative shackles have been removed?

---

Here are a few pictures of the pages and the book I created at the color+journal LOVE retreat. 

Now that I've been freed, I'm looking forward to what next week brings. Stay tuned! 

If you're watching the videos, I'm honored! If you're making the books, I'm intrigued, so please share here or on the Giving Hands Creative Community site. Also, make sure you visit the new online store for amazing and wonderful inspiration.