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.

Comments

[Debbie]

Squam looks so wonderful. Do you know anything like it is the Bay Area?

[Swirly]

Beautiful story and images!!