We are doing it again...come join us!!

The Colors of Oaxaca

Journal Workshop Adventure

October 16th – 23rd 2014

Las Tres Amigas, mixed media artists Syd McCutcheon, Mary Stanley, and tour host Colleen Darling are heading back to the magical city of Oaxaca for another fun-filled workshop and cultural adventure.  The city of Oaxaca, a Unesco World Heritage site, has so much to offer with its warm friendly people, delicious food, world-renowned artists, colonial architecture, and pre-Colombian ruins.

The workshop will focus on creating a loose-leaf journal reflecting our time in beautiful Oaxaca.  We will be collaging, altering photos, sketching, making stamps and learning new techniques to add to our journal creations.  We will be visiting the Centro de Las Artes de San Agustin, a restored textile mill which is now home to a hand-made paper studio.  In addition, we will visit Studio Xaquixe, a workshop that recycles glass from the local community, and transforms it into aesthetic and utilitarian works of art.   Our time in the colonial city center will include trips to the vibrant local markets, diverse museums, and endless opportunities for shopping and ice cream.    

For more information or to reserve your spot please contact Colleen Darling at colleen950@gmail.com    

There went April....

But it was a great month....

The Art Hus went smoothly...even though I am paddling like hell under the surface.   We have 25 great artists that work hard to bring their best work to the shop.

I got to go to French General and help Mary with her rug hooking class.  What a fun day.

My baby turned 40!  How did that happen?  Jill has grown into a beautiful woman inside and out...we had a ride on

the Landshark and went to the sea center to celebrate.

We had a small Easter but a wonderful one...mostly thanks to my sidekick, Madison....

Molly threw a beautiful wedding shower for her soon to be sister in law at her amazing home.  It was all so beautiful and delish!!

I got to celebrate Susan's birthday with the girls.  So fun to take time to look around Santa Barbara.  Had a wonderful lunch at the beautiful San Ysidro Ranch.  Perfect day...

Then I ended up the month at a beach house with Pam, Mary and Charlotte.  We had a blast!

On the way home Mary and I stopped at Superbuzzy Fabrics in Ventura...omg!!

 If you are in the area of Coffee Cats in Santa Barbara, stop in and see my paintings.....

...way too long since my last post...

I will start with a quote I read..."I have learned so much from my mistakes I think I will make some  more...."  No problem there.  The other quote I overheard at the next table at a group of young adults..."...I told them  'I think I am a native American...I was born here'..."


 I am so lucky to get this amazing treasure from Jone Hallmark!!  I hesitate to share it here...you are all going to be so jealous!!  I love love love this special gift.  Thank you Jone.  I am looking forward to our reunion!!

OK back to me...Our Colors of Oaxaca workshop was amazing!!  Best group of women ever....lots of laughs, talent and love in that group.  We met up with friends we met last year at Casa Colonial and found some new ones.  Lots of art and artisans to visit and good food to eat..  Saw the sites in Teotitlan del Valle ...love that village....silk worm farm, natural dye weavers, sweet local market and wax flower candle makers are just a few of the sites we saw on our field trip. Indigo dyeing at the Textile Museum had a little hic up but it allowed us to do more shopping and see more museum shows in Oaxaca.  ...well I could go on and on about Oaxaca.  It just went too fast...so we are planning to come back in Oct. and of course in Feb. again.  Mary, Colleen and I are already scheming...so stay tuned...

Hasta la Vista.....

A quick post

Well it has been an interesting January.  Because it is my birthday month there is always lots of fun stuff going on.  I had so many well wishers this year mostly thru FB...the good part of FaceBook....I got a delish cake from Susan at the Solvang Bakery  yummmmmmy!  Some hand made art from Jill and Madison and flowers from LE.....lots of wonderful cards too.  Earl had to get me 2....he could not decide which old lady one was the best....

I have a mountain of art supplies stacked up from the move out of the Art Clinic.  So thankful that Art from Scrap sees the worth in my discards...I took 6 boxes yesterday....But I am going to have to put all that on the back burner while I wisk away to Oaxaca!!  Can hardly wait to be sitting on that plane....Mary and I packed our goodie bags for all our students and now we just need to throw in some clothes....But not too many.  I want to shop while I am there and will need the room.in the suitcase. 

I have not had much time for art, which makes me sad.  I have been making lots of class examples though...

As for my ever amazing Madison...she is loving dance right now and has a new interest... whistling...so cute.  While cleaning out the Art Nest Studio I found the girl's Fischer Price sets and some dolls of theirs and mine.  Madison has been have great adventures with it all.....So fun to hear her little scenarios.

I am now the sole proprietor of the Art Hus in Solvang.  If you don't know about the Hus...it is a co-op of 23 artists.  All very talented!  I am trying to get the hang of Excel and a new computer...mine is in the shop waiting for a part....so I got a pc laptop.  It is just not as straight forward as my Mac....




                                                                This heart is made by Mary Stanley....

Jan 1 2014

Beautiful day!  I woke up to the sound of my girls all laughing and chatting....Loved the memories it brought back.  Sad to see LE fly home but so grateful for her visit!











We did all our favorite things...ate...journaled...did some art...had chocolate...went to a movie...looked at the stars...did puzzles...shopped...coffee-ed...told old stories and laughed and ate some more....pretty much a perfect visit!

I am looking forward to 2014.  I have lots of new plans.  There will be a trip to Oaxaca with some amazing artists, a visit with a new friend,  some new exciting changes at the ART HUS and
 Art Nest Studio workshops....so stay tuned....

Good Bye 2013...

Not my most favorite year....But I have been having a great visit with my girls.....

 We had a journaling and spray painting day yesterday.  It has been unbelievable weather.  You just want to be outside all the time.

I will post more later.  I am busy moving out of the Art Clinic and hanging out with my girls right now....but here is a little peek at what I have been dreaming about...

Jill cut me this awesome rubber stamp!!!