Moments with Gillian in Gardenstown, Scotland
There are special moments in your life that you know that you will hold close to your heart forever. Traveling to Scotland to Moments in Time workshop with Gillian Lee Smith is one of those. I made the long trek from Mexico City to Aberdeen via Houston and Frankfurt (where they forgot to put my luggage on to the plane), then a bus ride to Banff where Gillian greeted me for the last trek to Gardenstown.
What a beautiful place for a workshop. The scenery was breathtaking, and literally did steal your breath away when you walked up the hillside to the church and cemetery. I felt like I was in a movie. I was fascinated by the cemetery and remains of the church on the hillside and climbed up there twice, once with Julie and once with Judy. I knew that if Judy didn't go up there, she would regret it.
Gillian is so dear and my is this woman talented. Her sketchbooks were amazing and we all felt like we were looking at precious drawings that should be made into coffee table art books.
The studio where we worked had views of the sea, the town's rooftops, the hills and boats in the harbor. It was difficult to not stare out the windows and just relax and breathe in the salty air. Water does that to me and as the week wore on, I grew quieter and more serene.
We sketched, did timed exercises and painted, some more than others (Kijsa!). It was a small group of wonderful women and three of whom I knew, my roommate, dearest Judy, Jeanne Oliver, and Alexis Garrett which made the trip even more special. It was a magical time.
Gillian has opened her Unearth Gather Create as an on-line course for self-study. I advise you, if you have not already, purchase the course. You will thank me. Truly, it is like going to art school. She is a wonderful teacher and her course is so full of information that you will go back to it over and over again which is why you have lifetime access. We were all in awe of Gillian, including Judy. It was so special to watch those two together, the respect that they showed one another was touching.
The town people were so nice to all of us and welcomed us to their only pub and tea house.
You will be hearing more about Gillian, she is a talent that we want to support and promote. In fact, she is going to come to Seattle and Portland in April 2017 for two workshops. Yep, she's coming here! Let me know if you are interested because the workshops are limited to 12 and will fill quickly. She has another new online workshop coming up soon, so be sure to look for that as well.
Update: Both trips are full with waitlists. Contact me if you would like your name added.
I fell in love with Scotland and can't wait to return. Here are pictures that I took from our van as we were leaving. The hills were dotted with baby ewes, calves and daffodils.
Thank you dearest, Gillian, for a special Moment in Time.
