Art & Soul Retreat in the South of France

    Come Join Me!

Durfort, France

Life isn’t about finding yourself.

Life is about creating yourself.

        — Kiki Smith

Hi All!

Have you ever longed for an adventure that awakens your unique, creative voice? An adventure that instills a connection to place, history, and the divine feminine in a way that changes you forever, opening you to new insight and confidence? Have you longed to share that journey with others? If so, you’re not alone.

 

Why journey?

Spiritual journeys and sacred site tours are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. There is a growing desire globally to reconnect with ourselves, with Gaia, with spirit, as well as our own intuitive wisdom. Stepping out of our plugged-in world into new places with new people opens our minds and hearts and restores our sense of wonder. It grounds us, re-acquaints us with the stories and images that are our unique vision, our gift in this life.

exploring the region…

But the journey is just the beginning …

 

We are all creatives from birth…

All children draw, dance, sing, and create story. Too often we lose touch with our unique voice in the rush to grow up. What if, through adventure in community in a land that resonates with the mysteries and with Gaia, you could reconnect to that voice and to the sacred fabric of Women? It’s all about healing and the creative energy that springs from that.

sacred waters…

Once you have experienced this opening, this rush of creative energy, how do you communicate it to yourself and others?  How do you maintain it once you go home? Few spiritual journeys guide you in developing  your unique creative language.  Understanding your visual language, learning its “vocabulary,” helps you understand what you have to say, what moves your spirit, and enables you to express it with newfound clarity, carrying it home into your daily practice.

Finding your voice…

the sacred dolmans…

If this resonates with you, there is no better time than the present to begin your journey. Consider joining us on the first ever retreat hosted by Robyn McClendon and Celia Fulton Walden at La Cascade, Durfort, France. On the very first day, Robyn will take you through her visual language meditation to clarify your unique Art Mythos, and Celia will introduce you to her process Animagine. Each day we will create in the studio as well as explore the magical Langedoc region of Southern France, a land steeped in history, mystery, and spirit.

art and writing journaling techniques

We will laugh, get curious, be spontaneous, explore, relax, create, and grow both individually and in community. We will nourish ourselves with living, creating, and great food … oh, and let’s not forget great wine and chocolate!

regional food prepared by resident chef…

Will you join us?

You can find our more here . Space is limited to 8 people, and there are only a few spots left.

wine pairings…

Creativity is not a solitary movement. That is its power. Whatever is touched by it, whoever hears it, sees it, senses it, knows it, it’s fed. That is why beholding someone else’s creative word, images, idea, fills us up, and inspires us to our own creative work. A single creative act has the potential to feed a continent. One creative act can cause a torrent to break through stone.  — Clarissa Pinkola Estes

As Always Much Love and Happy Creating!
Robyn

ArtMythos: Look At What We’ve Been Up To…

I’m so excited to share what the members of my ArtMythos Online Course have been up to. We spend a lot of time over in our secret Facebook group sharing and talking about all things art. Here are some snippets of those conversations.

Enjoy!

Some gorgeous examples of what some of our members created these past few months!

Artwork by Celia Fulton Walden

“Still loving those ink blots. I am starting to think that these inked papers and the organic ink blots are helping me make a bridge between how I work sculpturally. Fingers crossed! At least I’m having fun.” – Celia Fulton Walden

 

Artwork by Lynda Fish

“I used to paint doors, walls and windows with encaustic (wax) paints… experimented in my journal with gelli prints instead. Writing on walls! Plus some other experiments using torn paper ensos and ink blots.” – Lynda Fish

 

Artwork by Tammy Swafford

“I found some envelopes to Gelli print on and created an envelope book. Here’s some pics!” – Tammy Swafford

(This technique was shown to my students in one of our”studio video series” inside of our ArtMythos: classroom!)

 

Artwork by Lisa Rene Aguilera

“Here are some reverse/resist inkblots I made while experimenting with resist fluid. I used a photocopy of a black & white napkin design, put some marks down with the clear fluid, folded the paper in half to make my inkblot, waited for it to dry, then went over the entire paper with distress stains. Lots of love to you all!”

I’ve been sharing my love of inkblots with the ArtMythos: members and they are doing some incredible experimentations and beautiful techniques of their own!

 

Artwork by Vicki Louise Neil Ross

“Really beautiful. Such a soothing palette.” – Celia Fulton Walden

 

Artwork by Celia Fulton Walden

“Today’s pages and Sumi-e paper and ink experiments.” – Celia Fulton Walden

 

Artwork by Tammy Swafford

“Finished the Clean-Up Journal. I would like you (Robyn Mcclendon) to know that I really appreciate you telling your story in today’s video. Your prompts always make me think and approach my art in new ways. I did a few prints today, and I really like what’s going on in the paper from the hardware store. I have also included pictures from my finished journal.” – Tammy Swafford

 

Artwork by Maryse Perdriat

“My first prints with Gelli plate on deli paper, craft paper and copy paper. What great fun!!!” – Maryse Perdriat

Even my members who are new to Gelli printing are doing beautiful and organic prints using my techniques that make experimenting with this monoprinting process equally rewarding.

 

Artwork by Lisa Rene Aguilera

“Hi there! I have been working on a few different projects, and finally got one finished! I wanted to share here in a flip-thru.” – Lisa Rene Aguilera

“Awesome. You have really inspired me! Thanks for sharing.” – MaryJo Dahl

 

Artwork by Helen Buiskool

“A few of my recent pages. Just playing…” – Helen Buiskool

 

Artwork by Lynda Fish

“Some playful explorations in my journal… mixing in old watercolors, acrylics, feathers etc with Gelli printing because I love the old wall effect.” – Lynda Fish

“These are gorgeous, Lynda! Such rich color.” – Lisa Rene Aguilera

 

Artwork by Vicki Louise Neil Ross

“Great play day with art group! Did four journal pages! BTW, the Zen Pen is great!” – Vicki Louise Neil Ross

 

Artwork by Dawn Nowacki

“Hi, all! This is a short video flip through of my Robyn-inspired journal.  Thank you for all the inspiration, gang. I’ve been appreciating everybody’s posts. And thank you, Robyn, for the class! Hugs, Dawn.” – Dawn Nowacki

“Love!!! The one on left. Reminds me if East Indian batik prints!” – Vicki Louise Neil Ross

 

To learn more about the ArtMythos Online Course click the link.

I invite you to come hang out with us!

Much Love and Happy Journaling!

Robyn

My New 12×14 Gelli Plate Arrived !

If you’ve been following me on Instagram @rarebirds you know I’ve been in Mexico the past few weeks, on Retreat and Teaching a Cold Wax workshop❣  I had loads of fun and met many great artist…

And now that I’m back home and in my Studio I had a gift, sent from Gelli Arts waiting for me….yaayyyyy!  The new 12×14 size…I can’t wait to jump in and share with you new prints produced on it!

I’ve been invited to participate in their new blogger program…if you purchase through this site using the badge provided on my sidebar, you’ll receive discounts on your purchases👍

You guys know this is an authentic and organic relationship because, if you’ve been following me for any period of time you know I’ve been singing this company’s praises for a very long time😊

Check out the new size , I’ve placed a 8×10 print over the plate so you see just how large the print area is on the new plate!

Also, I’m currently planning workshops in which I’ll be teaching some of the techniques I’ve discovered over the past few years of working with Gelli printing…

So stay tuned and if you’re not already a subscriber of my YouTube channel,  https://www.youtube.com/user/RobynMcClendon Robyn Mcclendon then please head over and join so that you can be the first to see the Gelli printing techniques videos that I will be uploading …thx

Peace and Love

Robyn

Save

Journal Page – Italian Love Letters

This collage from my 365 days in the life of a journal … Includes mono prints of love letters found in Venice….a print of a found object …and one of my fav collage elements – old dictionary pages

Enjoy!…Happy Sunday…

Much Love and Peace

Journal Page – Suns Of The Nile

More inspiration from my studio…

As I continue to work daily in the studio searching for new inspiration and techniques to express what spins in my spirit…

I have to admit that it’s not as easy as it may seem from your side of things…

Challenging ourselves to be fully immersed in our passions, mine is creating and teaching mixed media art and helping other find that spark of creativity…really requires us staying in the ring with ourselves….

So I share my work to inform, prod and coax you to yours, whatever that may be, but please be assured that I’m in the ring too!…Everyday!!!

Enjoy!

Much Love and Peace

Journal Page – Antique Letters From Paris

This collage incorates lots of pieces from all parts, places and times in my life…that’s what I love about collaging, a collection of memories can come together and make a now moment!

Enjoy….and have a Happy Saturday!

Love and Peace

Journal Pages – Meditation Art

During meditation I frequently receive images that are completed paintings as visual concepts…

Here I share one of these with you today… Do you meditate? If not give it a try..I always seem to receive gifts that feed my soul!

Enjoy the day!

Love and Peace

Creative Conversations – “Patience, More Than Just A Good Idea”

It was on my mind recently the importance of compassion and taking our time with others.

Frequently as I join other awaken soul’s, videos, blogs, online webinars, downloaded e-books, I’ve noticed a pattern. The idea that we all are to be awakened at the same time, the same way.

“I’ve got mine, now you get yours” mentality, however… “and by the way keep buying my materials so that I can continue to prosper while I beat you up, with love, of course.”

I believe that this is a sign of a phenomena that nods to the 3D way of operating while suggesting that they are having  4D experiences.

We must be more patient with each other.

Love and Peace

 

 

Creative Conversations – 2-17-15 – “Dehumanizing of Humanity”

“Dehumanizing of Humanity”

This Conversation starts with me talking about my 365 day Journal.  Journaling for me is a way for me to process lots of things in my world.  For some artist it’s about creating beautiful things, others it’s political expression, or women’s issues however, my art work is about raising consciousness.  My own first and then hopefully the viewer will explore their own cosmic reality and accessing their higher greater self.

In this Creative Conversation I will explore some of the topics that I think about, which informs my artwork, and my healing work as a Reiki Master and a Creativity Coach.

Love and Peace

Coptic Book Binding Workshop

Here are some pics from a recent bookbinding workshop held at my home studio.  We had a lot of fun and everyone left with a completed book! A miracle if you know anything about coptic binding.  The ladies are members of the Albuquerque LIBROS group.

Enjoy!

Check out my workshops tab at the top of the page. I love to teach, travel and meeting new and like minded people.  Put a group together and I’ll be happy to come and hang out with you!

Your Creativity Coach
Robyn