Athena Dreams Design

Home Again, Home Again

You arrive to the woods, to the lake, to happy voices down on a dock and quiet pine needle strewn paths and old friends that you may not have seen since last year at this time, and to new friends you always knew were out there and just hadn't yet met face to face, and your Squam experience begins.

The first afternoon is spent settling, reconnecting with friends and with yourself, and listening to all that space that is yours to dream in, to create in, to build in, to hear your own voice, and remember again, that you believe in that voice.

For me that first afternoon, was about solidifying some changes that I have been trying to make in my life. Changes about how I relate to my work, and how I see myself in relation to my work. The changes need to happen, and yet I have found myself going back to the old routine, the old ways of thinking, like a wheel rolling on a very rutted road. Time to try that other path and move off the old road.

And then it's time for dinner, and the evening and loons calling on the lake, and flashlights blinking in the woods, and a fire in the fireplace . . . 

And then you get up on thursday and you're off . . . classes, talking, thoughts, walking, laughing, learning, sharing stories, re-learning, eating, writing, some wine on an evening, more laughing, and so it goes and so it goes.

Before you know it, it is Sunday morning, and you are tired and happy, and sad, and saying good byes, and packing your things, and driving away. You are refreshed and renewed and remembering why you inhabit this body, at this time, in this place, and you remember who you truly are, you have re-met yourself, again, and it is wonderful and amazing and bittersweet and remarkable.

And as you drive away, you turn around just one more time to remember. Hold it close, know that you know exactly who you are, and come back to this moment again and again over the days and months to come. This time away in the woods at Squam is a talisman for your year ahead, for your life down the road, for all the moments that you might forget who you truly are: You have seen yourself, and you know.

Stephanie Guimond .:. Her Vision of Squam

Photo of Stephanie by Kirsten Michelle
 

A real art show, at a real gallery, and I was invited to submit my work.

My first reaction was giddiness and excitement; my second one was fear and doubt: “Who am I to think anything I make would be good enough? I’m not an artist, I just took workshops with artists.” But I knew this was a good opportunity. Not only the opportunity to display my work, but the opportunity to learn about art shows and framing and the submission process amongst a group of supportive and creative kindred spirits. Besides, initial giddiness is usually a telltale sign that the Universe is sending me something special and that, my friends, is not to be ignored!

What She Seeks by Stephanie Guimond

I had no portfolio and I didn’t know how to paint under pressure, only “real artists” did that. All I did was play with paints at my art table and whatever came up, well, came up. So I looked at the few paintings I’d completed since Squam, painted a few more then chose four I thought were good enough to submit. Then I had to price them.

Pricing my artwork was without a doubt the toughest part of the process where most of my insecurities cropped up. I plugged away at my Excel spreadsheets, did my research and asked for help when I needed it. I am forever grateful to the Squammettes who helped guide me through the process by offering their experience and support right up to the time of submission. Immediately after sending my submission I burst into tears of relief at being done and tears of happiness at being one inch closer to my dream of having my art on display.

Be Free and Soar by Stephanie Guimond 

Despite the fears and the insecurities I muddled through the process because I felt it was the right thing to do and I am so very happy I did. Knowing that fellow creative souls were doing the same thing gave me strength.

When I found out one of my pieces had been accepted I was ecstatic, but the rawest and most satisfying feeling came when I saw that piece on the show’s promotional poster and it didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. I burst into tears again. This time they were tears of pure joy.

 

Imagine my art, at a real art show, at a real gallery.

-Stephanie Guimond

You can find Stephanie at her blog.

* * * * * * *

This is the sixth in a series of essays/interviews/words from an artist that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery. 

For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here. 
For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.

Jess Greene .:. Her Vision of Squam

Jess at the Vision of Squam Opening 2009 with her piece Tinted Clouds

Submitting work to the first Squam Art Show was the first time I had ever done anything like that. In fact, painting was a relatively new endeavor for me before SAW. Submitting my work for the show was a good goal, a good motivator for getting some pieces done. It was what I needed to push me to complete something. It forced me to look for inspiration and follow the path that I found.

Making a Home by Jess Greene

And then one of the pieces got accepted and it was the best validation I could have received. I was so scared going into this realm of talented people and I just hoped there was enough space for me to carve out a little spot, and there was. I was welcome and it felt awesome. 

Wayonda cabin mates, Squam Art Workshops 2009

When I went to the opening I felt grateful to be part of such a great show with other artists I respected. It felt so good to see my work hanging there. By that time, when the show opened, I already knew I could do more than what I had produced for that show. So the show also helped me push myself to keep painting, keep letting my work evolve, and keep creating so that this year I can have something in the show that really demonstrates my growth, even if its only to myself. 

 
-Jess Greene

You can find Jess at her blog, she and her husband's recycled art site here, (it's very cool, go look!), and her etsy shop here.

* * * * * * *

This is the fifth in a series of essays/interviews/words from an artist that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery. 

For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here. 
For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.

Oh, Goddess Divine

Elizabeth - in all her spare time whilst simultaneously putting together the Squam June Session -  and Tara of Wholly Tara have created a show to celebrate Spring. And really, who doesn't want to celebrate Spring? Even the days of rain and wind are remedied by just one day of sun, birds singing and sweet breezes blowing.

Return of the Goddess: A Visual Celebration of Spring includes some amazing artists, and I am so very delighted, no more like thrilled, or even elated to have been included in this group of 11 women and 1 man. Yes, Pan to the Goddesses of Beltane.

The show opens this Friday May 14th with an opening night celebration from 6:30 - 8pm in Ashland NH, and will be up thru June 6th. All the work will be available for sale on line as well as in the shop, so check back at the Wholly Tara site for photos and listings. 

Featured artists include:

Denise Andrade

Flora Bowley

Anne Cady

Pixie Campbell

Jeanine Caron

Diana Fayt

Lisa Field-Elliot

Christopher Frost

Jen Gray

Liz Kalloch

Elizabeth MacCrellish

Michelle Smith

Laurie May Coyle .:. Her Vision of Squam

Photo of Laurie in Squam Lake by Kari Chapin 

As I write this, I'm waiting. I'll admit it feels a little bit like the days before I headed up to Squam Lake for the first time, except for that endeavor I had only been planning for it for a few short weeks. This one, we've been planning for at least 9 months; I am currently about a week overdue with my first baby, which is a whole new way of creating for me. 

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now, and I'm hoping checking it off my to-do list might just be the release I need to get this labor going. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Squam, as having this baby, was a different kind of life experience for me, because I didn't really plan it. And it turns out I can't really plan when this baby will arrive; we just wait! I have always been a huge planner, knowing at least days, if not weeks or months in advance what my days will bring. So back in August 2008, my friend Kari sent me a link one day, telling me that she was going to help out at this amazing art camp in New Hampshire in a few weeks, and that I should come along.  So I decided, why not? Let the planning go. And then there we were, on our way to Squam lake, neither of us really knowing what to expect. What we did know was that there'd be a speaker we both loved (Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge), a discussion with artists we loved (Kelly Rae Roberts and Mati Rose McDonough), a book-signing by an ever-inspiring author/artist (Christine Mason Miller) and music from a songstress that we adored (Jonatha Brooke!). It all sounded too good to be true, and I was happy to be going with a friend, so I at least had someone to sit with at lunch! 

My classes ended up being somewhat ephemeral, and I didn't end up with any artwork to take home. Instead I came home with a rejuvenated spirit, a revved up creative mind and a sense of balance that I felt had been lacking in my life for some time.  

After coming home and processing the whole amazing event, which took quite some time, I was thrilled when Liz contacted me about showing artwork in the first annual Squam Art Show! I have been running my own little art and crafty business for a few years, but showing my art is at best a periodic thing. I would like it to be a more regular occurrence, and I talk about it a lot. So being invited to be part of this show, knowing I was already qualified to take part, was a bit liberating. But I had to create some art for it! During the winter I created a series of paintings featuring little songbirds (of which there are approximately gazillion's on Squam lake) and some inspirational quotes, pulled from my experience at the workshops. I was thrilled when two of them were accepted in to the show, and I lovingly framed them up and sent them off. I was really hoping to get to see the show in person, but since I had the amazing fortune of attending the second ever session of Squam in June, I wasn't able to make the trip back again in September.  {The second time, I must say, was totally amazing as well! I'm guessing each session gets more sparkly and magical, as the camp gets more and more full of the art-making spirit of all who attend.}

If you are remotely on the fence about submitting work to the second annual art show, just know you will be in loving arms and everyone will enjoy seeing your vision of Squam -- so go for it! And if these stories are making you yearn for a few days at art camp -- go for that, too! I probably won't be attending this year, since we'll just be getting into the swing of things with our newest little creation, but you can bet I'm thinking about the joy of art camp with my new family and the possibility of the Pixie session next year! 

 

-Laurie May Coyle
(all photos by Laurie May Coyle, except where credited)

You can find Laurie at her blog: Laurie May Coyle Designs or her etsy shop.

Thanks Laurie, and here's wishing you and your newest creation an easy and beautiful delivery... and hope it's soon! 

• • • • • • •

This is the fourth in a series of essays/interviews/words from an artist that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery. 

• For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here. 
• For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.

Amy Hinton Williamson .:. Her Vision of Squam (the art show)

e.e cummings by Amy Hinton Williamson

Most of us remember our grade-school art fair. My art teacher at Goucher Street Elementary School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania filled the gymnasium (which still smelled like peanut butter and jelly and egg salad sandwiches) with rolling bulletin boards and lovingly plastered them with artwork made by the students. She hung a piece made by each boy and girl and when we came back to school that night, the darkened building somehow looked totally different than it did during the day. If felt like a museum. If you were lucky, your mom or dad or maybe your grandma or an aunt or cousin came to see your artwork. Everyone oohed and aahed and told you your piece looked amazing. And you believed you were an artist.

But as time went by, doubt began to creep in, and the feeling faded away. Your inner voices told you it wasn’t possible to be an artist. You could be a nurse or a teacher or a homemaker. And so you put away your paints and brushes and went on with your life.  

And that’s exactly what I did. I made the decision not to attend art school—I didn’t even take an art class in college. I let my portfolio collect dust in a closet and I majored in history and political science and went on to teach middle school. Later, I became a children’s book editor and began to work daily with writers and illustrators; and suddenly a tiny spark was ignited. I felt alive again when a piece of original artwork landed on my desk. I loved talking to the illustrators about how they created their work, the mediums they used, and the way the words of the stories inspired them. It was an amazing gift to be able to meet artists like Eric Carle and Susan Boynton.

Then I gave birth to my sons and left my job to stay home with them, and once again the artist inside me was lost; until one day two years ago, when I came across a blog post about a workshop in New Hampshire. An art workshop on Squam Lake where people with any size or shape of artistic ability could come and take classes, where they would be encouraged by amazing teachers and be inspired by their surroundings and a group of like-minded people. And I woke up. I took the plunge and I made the long trek to New Hampshire with my heart in my throat. I played with art supplies I had used before, and many I had never heard of. I learned so much from my teachers and even more from the other women I met. We had a “gallery” show in our cabin every night to view each others’ work and we talked about what we learned each day in our respective classes. We talked about how it felt to create, to be women, to be mothers or lovers or friends. I never for a moment felt discouraged or not good enough. I felt like I belonged.

  Amy's cabin mates first year at Squam: Mary Norris, Emily Looman, Amy Williamson, Stephanie Guimond, Kirsten Crilly, Jenica MacKenzie 

And later that year when Susan and Liz sent out the call for us to submit artwork we had created in the wake of our experience at Squam, I thought, “Why not?” It was terrifying, but I had felt the same way driving up to Squam Lake and look how amazing that experience turned out to be. So I spent a few weeks frozen and indecisive about what to submit. I painted a bit and I played with collage and I finally chose two pieces and sent the photos. When one of the pieces was chosen for the show, I was thrilled. I felt just like I had that night all those years ago at Goucher Street Elementary School and just the way I had around that fire in our cabin each night at Squam. I felt like an artist. I felt like I belonged.

This year two of my Bell Tower cabin mates and I are playing a game of Exquisite Corpse. We each started with a blank sheet of paper folded in thirds. In turn, each collaborator will add to the composition in sequence, creating a top, a middle or a bottom section then concealing what we have done before sending it to the next person for their contribution. In the end we will unfold the 3 papers to see what our “corpses” look like. Our rules are loose. We can use any medium (although we’re keeping in mind that the pages have to be shipped) and we can interpret the “body” as literally or as figuratively as we want. In the end, if we like what we have created, we’ll submit the pieces to Liz and the Sandwich Artisan's Guild for this year’s Squam Art Show. And if not, we’ll surely submit something else. Because terrified or not, we’ll take the plunge and we’ll know that we belong.

—Amy Hinton Williamson

Stephanie Guimond and Amy Williamson 

Thanks so much Amy!  You can find Amy at her blog: All Buttoned Up

• • • • • • •

This is the second in a series of essays/interviews/words from some of the artists that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery. 

• For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here. 
• For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.

Brittany Soucy .:. Her Vision of Squam (the art show)

This is the first in a series of essays/interviews/words from some of the artists that participated in the first A Vision of Squam Art Show that took place in September 2009 at artstream gallery in Rochester, NH. This year the show will be hosted by the Sandwich Artisans Guild gallery. 

• For information about the how to submit to the 2010 show, please go here. 
• For information on registering for Squam Art Workshops in 2010, visit the SAW site and Elizabeth here.

And now, some words and images from Britt:

  

 

Brittany and her painting, Muse
 

After attending my first Squam Art Workshop a great opportunity arose:  the call to submit art for a gallery showing highlighting artists who attended SAW.  I had never done anything like that before, although I have always felt like if my art was hanging in a gallery, then I would feel like a “real artist.” 

Brave by Brittany Soucy 
 
I procrastinated as best as I could.  Because if you are going to fulfill a lifelong dream, then you can’t be on top of it, you have to spend a lot of time mulling it over and feeling scared that you aren’t good enough.  I did that as best I could.  But then Liz emailed me again and gave me a little extra push and told me that they extended the deadline a bit.  So I painted.  I submitted the only things I painted.  I didn’t have a bunch of art to choose from, but I was happy with myself for taking the risk.
 

 

And a few months later I had my art hanging in a gallery for the first time!  It was a great experience for me.  I learned the basics of submission and framing and what is expected from me as an artist. I got to attend the opening and a bunch of my girlfriends came and surprised me and we made a night of it.  I would have felt complete and happy with the experience whether or not my work was actually purchased, so it was a bonus for me when I learned that one of my pieces sold.
 

 

This year I am planning on submitting work for the show again and feel some of the same worries: What if my work doesn’t make it into the show?  Which pieces would be the most acceptable?  Am I pretty enough?  But I must cast aside such insecurities—I can’t pass up such a great opportunity!  The call has come and I must answer.  Wanna join me?

-Brittany Soucy

Thanks Britt for the honest, brave words, for your beautiful self, and for your wonderful art work, you are a true beauty, through and through.

You can visit Britt at her blog Whatever and Stuff, her web site Cottage Road Designs, and  shop for art at her etsy site.

Squam .:. A Recipe for Life

Bring together in a bowl as large as life, equal parts: 

• joy, laughter, camraderie, a willingness to be silly, several ipod playlists and an ipod donut, a roaring fire in the cabin living room, girls, and more girls.

Throw in some some singing voices, a todka or 2, some red wine and open the window, because the fire is getting hot.

Sprinkle generously with I got all my sisters and me, some sugah lumps and a dash of september, and some "serious" moves.

And did I remember to say, add a willingness for FUN and dancing on a bed? Yes, that too, it's a must. (OK, was there some Kung Fu Fighting happening here?)

Add a soupçon of ballet, and some Martha Graham moves...

And wait for the batter to rise... but don't punch it down, just let it keep expanding past the confines of the bowl, let it overflow and keep going...

Add some carefree, some spontaneous, and some hips shaking, and the effervescent jazz hands...

And know that you have found a recipe for life that you can really and truly live by for all your days and nights.

[Thank you Elizabeth for another wonderful moment in my year.]