2011 GHOST RANCH, ABIQUIU, NM
DARLA’S ART WORKSHOP/RETREAT
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
“Wagon Wheel, Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu” by Darla Bostick (permanent markers on illustration board)
It is the privilege of artists to represent the world the way we see it. When I hold a paintbrushI am able to travel to the limits of my imagination! The journey is a great experience. ~ Darla Bostick
Every day Darla will have a slide presentation and at least one demonstration. Below is a guideline for our activities, however details may change depending upon the group’s preferences, and tour time availabilities. A questionnaire will be sent to participants after they register to help direct the workshop to specific areas of interest and painting experience.
Day One (Wednesday), 31 August:
Officially the workshop begins with lunch! Room check~in begins at 1 pm at the office. However, should you arrive earlier, come to our group activity room, choose your table, unpack your supplies and perhaps meet some of the other artists. Some have traveled a good distance to arrive and may feel like resting a bit to acclimate to the elevation. Today is very flexible. For those in our group who consider themselves beginners, or for those who might appreciate a refresher on the basics, this day is designed especially for you. Don’t need a refresher? You are welcome to come and paint on your own if you wish! Immediately after lunch (about 1pm) we will meet in our group activity room to begin painting. A brief orientation is scheduled by the Ghost Ranch folks just prior to supper. After supper artists are welcome to return to our activity room to visit (or begin their first piece), retire to your room to relax for the evening, or perhaps take a stroll on the grounds. All artists (and spouses if any come along) are invited to Darla’s room for an informal Welcome Reception. You won’t want to miss it! Darla will also have a slide presentation to share on photography. The Abiquiu workshop is the only venue where Darla presents this particular information, so you will not want to miss this! Find out how to take excellent photos with your camera, how to use your camera as a sketchbook and how to bring images home from a trip that are good enough to paint from!
“Afternoon View from Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM” by Darla Bostick (photograph)
With my paint brush I soar across the paper as my ideas take flight. Shapes and colors, shadows and light all perform a magnificent dance in a trail of water and pigment. What joy! What freedom! Creation has begun! ~Darla Bostick
Day Two (Thursday), September 1:
Following a hot breakfast in the dining hall, we will meet at our group activity room. To become familiar with the Ghost Ranch property, a digital scavenger hunt is planned. So come with digital cameras in hand! We can capture some images to work with later. Today we will visit the hogans to sketch/ journal /photograph these structures. Further down the path is Box Canyon and the small Ghost Ranch lake. Participants have the option of staying to paint or sketch on site in this area, or returning to our group activity room to create. After lunch we will spend some time with a painting demonstration and more time with our artwork.
“Santa Fe Skull” by Darla Bostick (watercolor, metallic pencil)
Day Three (Friday), September 2:
This may be the day for our Georgia O’Keeffe Home & Studio Tour! Upon leaving the Ranch grounds we will pause to see and photograph the Rio Chama with morning illumination. As we return to the Ranch we will stop off at the old log cabin. Today’s demonstration will be after lunch. Those who desire to return to the cabin site and paint plein aire are welcome to do so. Those who prefer the comfort of the activity room can return there for working on individual pieces.
“Agave” by Darla Bostick (watercolor, slick paint)
Day Four (Saturday), September 3:
By capturing the magic of the southwest with our camera and journals we will journey into the fields of drawing and painting. Flexibility is the name of the game. You choose your subject matter today. Again, you have the choice to paint on site or inside in the activity room. Darla’s portable photo printer is available to print off images from digital cameras to paint from or share. Participants will be challenged to incorporate at least 3 media other than paint into today’s image. Today Darla will have two demonstrations using different techniques. Tonight the group activity room will be available and Darla will be present for guidance/instruction. The evening paint time is always optional, but always fun!
“Red Junipers, Ghost Ranch” by Darla Bostick (back view from New Arts Bldg: watercolor, acrylic, pencil on Nujabi paper)
Day Five (Sunday), September 4:
Since hiking is best done in the early hours, this is your chance to climb to new heights…or maybe you wanted to schedule some horseback riding? There are many choices with your free time…visit the world famous paleontology museum at Ghost Ranch or drive down the road 2 miles to the Ghost Ranch visitor center for more glimpses into this area’s history. Following lunch we will meet at the New Arts Building for more creating! Yupo is the name of the game today for those wanting to try this man-made material. We will also experiment with tissue paper, nail polish and more. (A couple of years ago we had access to a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Some stayed at the Ranch to paint while others slipped out to the amphitheater and then on to the monastery. No promises—this is dependent on the vehicles we have among our participants and the weather. The roads are impassable if wet.)
Day Six (Monday), September 5 (Labor Day):
After breakfast we will meet at the New Arts building and take turns visiting the meditation circle. Bring your sketchbooks/journals. Today we will spend some time to connect with the spiritual aspect of Ghost Ranch, capture some thoughts and return to the group activity room where Darla will share some ideas about incorporating text in your artwork. We will create a tapestry of images with the power of words using the media of your choice. Today will most likely be our Georgia O’Keefe Landscape Tour for those interested. Tonight the group activity room will be available to everyone. Darla will be present for guidance/instruction. This is optional for those interested. Tonight we will view a slide show of our week’s activities!
Ghost Ranch Images Painted by Darla Bostick (on yupo, nujabi, canvas, tissue, watercolor paper)
Day Seven (Tuesday), 6 September:
Good things sometimes come to an end…this is our final day at Ghost Ranch. Check out time is 10 am. After breakfast we will have our group critique and final farewells. Depending upon departures, we may get in an extra bit of work time. Since everyone has different departure times, today is flexible. Today lunch is not included but individual plans can be made to purchase lunch if you wish.
Sometimes I stop in my tracks to admire the play of shadows, the patterns drawn upon the sand as the surf retreats, or the ever changing shapes of the clouds as they slip across the sky. I marvel at these small things and delight in the quiet way they beautify our lives. How sad it would be to not notice these simple pleasures of the Spirit. ~ Darla Bostick
Below: Ghost Ranch views (photographs by Darla Bostick)
FIELD TRIPS: At my Santa Fe Ghost Ranch workshop we walked to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I love field trips and Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu has a great one. The Georgia O’Keeffe tour is $25 each. We will be taken to the places Georgia O’Keeffe visited for her paintings. We will practically walk in her footsteps and view her artwork while at the same time seeing the vistas she saw! Bring your camera! The timing of our field trip depends upon the schedule at Ghost Ranch for this event. Those choosing to not participate in the tour can use the time for individual art or leisure.
We also have the opportunity to take another tour, the Georgia O’Keeffe Home/Studio Tour. This tour charges $40 per person.
All field trips are totally optional but space must be reserved several weeks ahead of time since our workshop dates coincide with Labor Day weekend!
****TO WIN A FREE FIELD TRIP: Those who make full payment by check at time of registration will be included in the drawing for a free Landscape Tour trip!
“Santa Fe Mission” by Darla Bostick (watercolor, slick paint, nail polish)
Darla will be available in the group activity room each evening should artists wish to spend additional time on art work in the conference room or just hang out and visit. Attendance is optional. Spouses/roommates not here for the workshop are welcome to come along with their artistic “better half!” They are also welcome to join us at meals, on our tour trips, our First Night Welcome Reception and in the evenings after dinner. During our daily workshop time they have the leisure of being on their own~~for reading, seeing the locality, and just relaxing.
I am moved to share what I see, teach what I have learned, and encourage others to pursue their art. My workshops provide a restful atmosphere in which to explore and expand our knowledge of life as we see it, feel it and experience it. I take very seriously the fact that others have come to learn what I can offer. My philosophy is simple…my students are never asked to copy from my work, or from others. I believe a piece of art belongs only to the mind that created it. I would never consider adding even one stroke of a brush or pencil to another’s painting~to my thinking, to do so would compromise ownership. Finally, I believe in encouragement. Create, experiment, learn something new, paint what pleases you! If that means breaking some rules, then do it. Let the question to yourself be: “What if I…”
If you aren’t having fun, why are you painting? ~Darla Bostick
Ghost Ranch Meal Schedule:
Breakfast 7:30-8am Lunch 12-12:30 Dinner 5:30-6:15
I hope you can join us! Reserve your spot now!
