December Blue

This year has been filled with adventure,

traveling, teaching, sharing, exploring,

meeting new friends and making art.

Always there is art.

 

When we travel, I love to photgraph old windows,

or the rivers when we pass them by.

 

 

Still,now the snow has covered

the mountains and our river landes,

and with our most recent winter storms

I've felt blue.

And so I call this post December Blue.

 

 

As the vibrant autumn ended,

ended too was my last workshop

of the year and all the work,

connections, joyous creativity

from my students

and this feedback that I had grown to love.

 

  

Now I am in a slower month,

a month to create just for myself,

a month to reflect,

and a month to grow inside.

 

 

December blues can be beautiful too.

 

 

 

 

Today I went to my Tai Chi class,

something I started several months ago.  

There is something about

the beautiful movements

that is like dancing in slow motion,  

Making me strong both physically

and in my heart and mind.

 

 

 

When I am at Tai Chi

I feel such a strong connection

to the world.   

So many of the movements

symbolize to me drawing in

energy from the earth

and then giving it back.

 

 

I think so much about

what gifts I have to share,

and am thankful them, and even more for the gifts

that have been given to me. 

 

 

 

 

I have had a new burst of interest 

in my online, The Thread That Weaves,

and with this some incredible new students... 

you can see there artwork and read their thoughts

here, here and here.

 

Thank you so much Terry, Connie, and Cindy and all of my students for enriching my life and inspiring me!

Here are Terry's words about this workshop...

"I recently took an online class form Roxanne Stout- The Thread That Weaves.  I was intrigued by her description and the thoughtful  premise- what is the Thread that weaves through our art and our lives of that matter? I have made a lot of books before but this structure looked interesting and one that I may not have ever done on my own.    

This class exceeded my hopes and expectations and turned out for me to be a real growing experience.  Roxanne's teaching style is very warm and she has a way of encouraging you to make this your own.  I felt totally at ease in contacting her with any questions and her feedback was helpful supportive and honest. I myself teach mixed media bookmaking workshops and so this was a treat to be the student.  

What is so wonderful here is that not only is the book structure interesting but that you end the course with a completed artist book.  The content of the book being of your own choosing.  Roxanne also included videos of some of her artwork and some ideas for directions to take with your book.  The instructional videos are well done and I liked that the written directions were included as well.  I highly recommend taking this wonderful class."

 

And if you are looking for another workshop for the new year,that I am so excited to be a part of, check out this link!

I also have a new page with my artworks and those of myself and Seth Apter that are for sale here.

 

 

 

Comments

[Cindy Swainson]

Hi Roxanne,
I feel as though I have stopped by for a spot of tea and to catch up on your latest doings. I love your mix of photography and documenting your creative play/process. You have captured this season so well.

[Kim Mailhot]

December blues can indeed be beautiful, especially when you cultivate them like you do, emmersed in bits of beauty everywhere.
Your class sounds so nourishing for the artist soul. I am not in a position to register for any classes right now but it is definitely on the top of my list.
Sending peace and love your way for this quiet time.

[Caterina Giglio]

gorgeous work, words and photos... always lovely to stop by your place, have the happiest of holidays!! xoxo

[Artpropelled.blogspot.com]

Loving this post Roxanne, especially your window shots. The birdcage and plant seen through the window is my favourite.

[Kimberly Jones]

As always, your thoughts and images are beautiful and moving Roxanne. I love the way you see the world around you, and the way you capture it with your words and pictures!

[Dorthe]

Hello again dear Roxanne,-
Your post is amazingly beautiful, with both your art, the nature photoes, and your thoughts. I can imagine winter time, will feel a bit lonely, but also time to upload,-- after all the happy hours you spend with friends and students all summer.
I so love the page with the house you painted, and the December blues creations...they are all stunning examples of your beautiful art.
Thank you for your loving coment on my blog, ...I send you hugs and love.
Dorthe
Roxanne, can you please e-mail me your adress, I just want to send you a card for christmas !!

[Apaperbear.wordpress.com]

Your winter blues are breathtaking. I remember growing up in Montana having the winter blues of a different sort. It was always overcast.

Terry is a wonderful artist and friend. Your class sounds wonderful.

[Kim Mailhot]

December blues are so beautiful in your neck of the woods, Roxanne. I hope your quiet creative time brings you many gifts!
Love and light!

[Seth Apter]

Such breathtaking images in this post and stellar feedback about your workshop from Terry. Having also taken your 'Thread That Weaves', I can totally agree with his thoughts. Those winter blues are our way of cocooning and in a short while they will be replaced with the excitement of all that 2014 will bring.