Just a month ago I stepped out to do something very different for me. I had been looking forward to this trip since early in the year, and I was super excited and filled with anticipation as the time grew near. My adventure started as I took a week off of work and flew by myself to New Orleans to meet (for the first time) Laure Ferlita and 7 other women for NOLA Live! The adventure truly was "An Artist's Painting Holiday"!!!I'm not used to traveling alone, I'm usually with family members. So there were more than a few butterflies in my stomach as my plane took off! Once I landed it still felt a little unfamiliar to get a cab by myself and just show up at the reserved hotel. I checked in, got my key, and went to my room by myself to unload my things. It was a quick stop as I hurried back down to the lobby to meet the group and go to dinner. It was an amazing intro - from the moment I met everyone it felt as if I had just rejoined a bunch of long time friends. During the magical week we explored the quaint French Quarter together, sketched and painted in our journals, walked and walked, chatted a bunch, and ate amazing meals too! It was all so much fun!
We had numerous sketching opportunities during the week to work in our journals. Since I have returned home I have continued working on sketches and adding memorabilia to my journal to record my adventure. Tonight I'm posting the first 2-page spread in my journal, and I'll continue to post the other pages as I work my way through my journal.
Pointing out a couple of things on these 2 pages - the portable chair that I carried EVERYWHERE to use for sketching, and Tujagues a charming old restaurant where we enjoyed our first meal together (Sunday dinner).
P.S. I am excited about the watercolor journal that I used for the trip. It was made by Lori Vliegan of Elvie Studio. The cover says 'Always follow your heart' and that is just what I did in traveling to New Orleans for this special adventure.
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8 comments:
Wow! Love the idea of this, taking the virtual trip and making it a reality. It sounds like a thrilling "Girls' Week Out" adventure, good for you for "owning" your painting this way.
I LOVE these pages, Claire. They're really beautiful. It was a special trip, wasn't it? I'll never forget it. And if I start to, I have my own journal to remind me!
Great opening pages Claire - I love these 2 pages. The restaurant is fabulous. I am so glad you followed your heart and stepped out of your comfort zone and joined us in NOLA. We'll always remember the week. I hope we can do it all again!
It was wonderful to meet you in person, Claire, though I have to say that I feel like I've known you forever!
And I am thrilled you "followed your heart to New Orleans" - it was so much fun and will be a trip to be remembered for quite a while to come!
Love your pages. Good capture of Tujague's!
I love these pages, Claire and your post was fun to read. Sounds like you really enjoyed your adventure!
Wonderful Claire
I know just what you mean about how weird it feels to be on your own for the first time like you were in New Orleans. You must have felt so free and ready for adventure. Can't wait to see more pages as you complete them - you're off to a great start!
What a FABULOUS time you must have had! Sounds like the experience of a lifetime.
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