Melissa Piccola
The first year of Squam Art Workshops I was effectively "forced" to attend by my best friend, Christine. She was launching her first book and she wanted me there for support. I say forced, because who the heck was I to attend an Art workshop. I'm no artist and I was completely intimidated by the thought of being at a camp in New Hampshire with all of these other people who were in fact brilliant Artistes. I then received an email telling me that Squam was exactly for people like me, who don't think they are artists but want to explore their creativity. I still wasn't 100% convinced but by then I had registered and there was no going back, well not in my mind anyone. There was some comfort in the fact that my best friend would be there and we would share a room. But that is also a bit intimidating because she is a REAL Artist and I just knew there'd be comparisons. My first real art class since elementary school was with the lovely Lisa Occhipinti and she couldn't have been a more perfect teacher for me. She gave me guidance and then let me run free and then gave more guidance. I walked away from that class with my first real piece of ART. I got all kinds of great comments on it with one or two people even thinking it was Christine's! From that moment on I was hooked. Hooked on Squam Art Workshops and exploring my creativity. I have met some of THE most amazing people through Squam and cultivated friendships that will last a lifetime. I now look forward to the BIG Announcement about the next year's workshops to see who is teaching, what I can learn and which one(s) I will attend. Although I still have those moments of trepidation, who do I think I am moments, but they fade away as soon as I step into those woods of New Hampshire or in the sand by the sea. Spending time with like-minded people creating art or writing or photographing beauty feeds my SOUL. I can't imagine life without Squam and I'm so thankful to Elizabeth for creating such a beautiful space!
|
|
|
|
