I've been asked about Wildflower Art Studio lately... What exactly is it? So, here you go...
I was lucky enough to have a childhood that involved a lot of stargazing, butterfly-chasing, mud pie-making, forest-exploring adventures. I remember the smell of the campfire as I lay beneath the twinkling stars in the middle of a forest. When I "grew up" (have I?) I moved to the Caribbean Sea. With my back against the deck of the sailboat, I would gaze up in awe as the stars spanned from horizon to horizon. There is something magical in the wonder of creation.
Wildflower Art Studio isn't just about creating cool art projects; it's about inspiring individuals to live brave, authentic lives. We reconnect with nature and with ourselves. We become creators again. We learn to listen to our heart, to dance to the beat of our own drum. We become original, authentic, real. We remember who we really are. Every summer, I am amazed by the transformation of our art campers. I recently watched a child go from a full day of complaining about how he would rather be playing video games earlier in the week to sitting beneath a shade tree, happily sketching spiders on the nature trail.
One of my favorite quotes is from Helen Keller: "Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all." As we grow up, we sometimes lose the willingness to risk. It becomes necessary to protect, to provide, to live safely. But as our lives become filled with predictability, some of the wonder is lost. My goal with Wildflower Art Studio is to bring it back. I have no intention of cliff jumping into the ocean ever again, but taking creative risks is vital to my own well-being. Our classes aren't just about teaching techniques or helping students create a masterpiece. They're more about encouraging students to trust themselves, to remember who they really are, to live brave, authentic lives.
"Ships are safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." -William Shedd
