At the end of March, I FINALLYattended Flora Bowley’s Bloom True long weekend painting workshop. I’ve been wanting to attend this workshop for a few years. The workshops often fill the day the email announcement comes which is hard to plan around family demands. This year, I resolved myself to go NO MATTER WHAT.
I’ve had this secret wishing about this workshop, an intuition that I needed to be there though I wasn’t quite sure why. Now I know why.
The workshop was beyond expectations. From a fabulous eco-friendly backyard studio, luscious and healthy catering, live music, excellent instruction and not to mention people, there isn’t an easy thing to critique. Flora is an excellent teacher who shares her process for tapping your intuition and creative knowledge freely. The work and projects were designed to open us up. We painted with our eyes closed, we traded canvas, we painted around the room, we experimented with mark making, we danced, we learned a little about color, luminosity, mixing colors and some simple techniques for managing acrylic paints. We watched Flora transform a canvas through her process. We let go and trust ourselves. We worked with what’s working. We learned gratitude when nothing was because that is an opportunity to play more. It was potent magic.
The workshop gave me brand new clarity.
Mystery Embraced (c) Marika Reinke 2019 36′ x 36″ painted at the retreat.Who We Are (c) Marika Reinke 2019 36″ x36″ painted at the retreat
Three Birds (c) Marika Reinke 2019 – painted when I returned home.Marika with Three Birds (c) Marika Reinke 2019
The reason I paint is because I want to feel a specific way. That feeling permeates the outcome and ripples of a painting. I hesitate to name this feeling. Words are limiting. It’s like falling in love, it’s often called bliss or flow. It’s ease, timelessness and focus. Some say I’m passionate about it. When I paint, I am completely present. It is a moving meditation practice. When I’m not painting, I’m thinking about it like an excited kid waiting for Christmas. It’s the only thing I want to do.
Ultimately, the most important lesson I learned was the importance of pursuing the feeling. Outcomes, measures of success and will-you-like-it-worries aside, they really don’t matter. That feeling is a compelling goal no matter what you do. It can lift anyone because it gives back meaning, energy, love and focus. I suspect if we were all focused on that feeling as the goal, it would change the world.
What gives you that feeling?
Falling into Grace work in progress (c) Marika Reinke 2019 36″ x 36″Relationships are Fluid Work in Progress (c) Marika REinke 2019 24″ x 48″
C) Marika Reinke – Adventures in Art with Heart, Humor and Spirit.
On Sunday, November 12th I’m hosting a series of workshops and studio party. Why? To celebrate community, art, friends, food and wine and to give back to those in most need to our former community in Costa Rica. I’d love for you to join us at my house and studio.
This communication is an attempt to tempt you to comecelebrate and outline what you can expect when you do.
Let’s start with the party and work backwards. Here is a list of the top reasons to come to the Studio Party
Reason 1: Inspiration
This party is an attempt to share a story that I hope inspires you to follow your passion and change a world or two while you do it. As I prepare for the event, it is clear that above anything, the night will represent a celebration of color, light, whimsy, thought, intuition, transformation and a journey. If you are inspired when you leave, I’ve done my job. If you laugh, make a friend or two, have a good time and like one painting a little, I’m happy too.
I will have my paintings and jewelry on display in two rooms and my studio will host the open wine bar. The journey will include older watercolors and newer acrylic paintings, as well as my larger scale work like “Community” and “Renewal“. The point is to tell the story of an evolution of passions, ideas, technique and inspiration. And talk about the future.
Reason 2: Good Food and Wine
We will have red and white wine available and a good spread of good food. I love good food which will include both vegetarian, meaty and gluten free options. I also love chocolate, so expect some chocolate too. I’ll throw in another non-chocolate dessert for those that prefer it because everyone deserves dessert.
Reason 3: Meet and Hang Out with Great People
Seriously, this is a great community. I love the people in my life; smart, inspiring, insightful, loving and interesting. You only make my life better. This party is dedicated to all of you, and thankfully there a lot of you that I’m proud to know and hope will be there. I can’t wait to see you there.
Reason 4: Everything is a Special Gift
All paintings, jewelry, greeting cards, limited edition prints, books, stickers and mugs are for sale but absolutely no purchase is required. Whether you are thinking of something special for yourself or for your loved one, you just may find a wonderful meaningful gift at this unique event. Many people have told me how much receiving the gift of original art means to them. This is a chance to find a gift that will bring that joy to your friends and loved ones.
Reason 5: Your Purchases Will Help Those in Need in Costa Rica and Give Again
Hurricane Nate and heavier than usual rains have caused death and displaced many people in Costa Rica. It has been a hard rainy season for those most in need in our former community. For this reason, I’m dedicating a portion of the proceeds to CEPIA Costa Rica for those most affected by flood damage. The details of these proceeds will be explicit at the party.
The Art Ritual: Explore Intuitive Painting with Watercolor
Inspiration’s Night Play by Marika Reinke 2017 12″ x 16″
This is a new workshop and the purpose is to introduce you to my process and approach to abstract paintings and drawings. Here are some reasons to sign up:
Reason 1: Tap into Your Intuition and Let Go
We will begin with an intuitive focus; a meditation or a theme of some kind and let those thoughts guide the watercolor. Of course art principles are guides, but the tapping into creative wisdom we all have will lead our way. Our painting will begin with a centering exercise that includes shifting the mind frame from thinking to opening our physical, mental and spiritual channels to creating. This will be an active state and much less analytic (there is no analysis paralysis here). Instead, we will let intuition and an inner coach lead.
Reason 2: Learn Something About Yourself
For some, this is natural. For others, this will be an active mental exercise. For all, there will be struggle, the rich and instructive kind that reaps many benefits in painting and self-discovery.
Reason 3: Create a Painting about Self-Growth
The end result will be a painting, maybe beautiful, but much more likely deeply meaningful. A painting that has taught you something about yourself and maybe what you can take with you into other tasks in life.
Reason 4: Hang out with Great People
I know, I said that already. But you are great even if you don’t believe it all the time.
I’m going to keep this list short. If you know me, I’ve been talking this workshop up quite a bit lately. Here is a quick and dirty list of reasons to come and join me:
Connect you to your creative wisdom and intuition to create jewelry you love.
Make a personalized gift for a loved one
Discover something new about yourself in the process.
Have fun
Create some awesome memories with new and old friends.
and join me: 
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