I need to catch up with news! -Tesoro del Corazon Retreat

First and foremost a post from this year's Tesoro del Corazon Retreat held in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Our retreat  was a blast as always with many adventures. Perhaps you can join us next year in late October!

the dia de los muertos parade went right down our little alley street appropriately named Los Muertos.....

Bits of Spain and France

I just returned from a wondrous trip to Spain (first time!) and France. I taught a sold out workshop in Durfort, France with Lynn Leahy at a 400 year old chateau. We will return in 2020! 

Needless to say, this was quite an adventure. I shared many photos on FB throughout the trip but here are  some bits....

 at Durfort, France for our workshop....

Albi and Revel, France

Fall Happenings

Summer is almost over...Fall is slowly arriving...my favorite time of year. I'm off to Spain and France tomorrow! I'll be co - teaching in Southern France with Lynn Leahy in Durfort, France...a sold out workshop! 

I've updated the classes and workshops pages. 

I'm very excited to announce for the first time a 4 day retreat in Taos, New Mexico next February! Leighanna Light and I are co teaching an extraordinary assemblage, painting, drawing, printing, etching, metal working, you name it workshop at her beautiful home in Taos.  This workshop will be very unique and I'm thrilled to be working with Leighanna. Take a look at the details...

from my trip to Ghost ranch, New Mexico with friends.....

Summer Workshops

Been so long since I've posted...yikes! Lots of great workshops coming up in the San Diego Area and Phoenix, Arizona in August. 

In September I'm off to Spain and France where I'll be co teaching with Lynn Leahy in Southern France at La Cascade.

        

my new Plump Totem Birds

I've been gearing up with new ceramics goods and paintings for the vender show for Art Unraveled in Phoenix, Arizona August 4

plus..... I'm teaching some awesome workshops 

Watercolor and Block Prints Full
Ancient Ones
Illuminated  Ledger Book

My local workshops are also  listed on my Workshops page but here is just a reminder! 

Athenaeum School of the Arts 
Bread and Salt Building in San Diego
Watermedia and Ink for Book Structures 
August 13 - 16

                                                student works

Fallbrook School of the Arts

August 20 and 21

Drawing the Lines with Color Pencils and Pens
   

The Love Parade

Introducing 

The Love Parade

Helen Shafer Garcia

currently on display at the Fallbrook Art Center

My latest creation consists of  handbuilt ceramic sculptures depicting creatures of all sorts.

The instillation is a reflection and reaction to the current administration. The parade consists of  acceptance and inclusion with characters that reflect all types of beings. The names of the characters are carried over from song titles and TV shows from the past. The adornments show  military and peaceful symbols in a combination for reflection. The hats were derived from research from military war outfits. My hope above all is  to portray the good in beings without malice. 

Back from the Ranch

Happy Trails were abundant at Rancho Bellota in Baja, Mexico last weekend. We had a marvelous time in the fresh air, listening to the chickens talk, hearing the sheep herd bells, watching the gazillion stars at night, drawing and painting in the canyon and patio, horse back riding, hiking, winery visits and tastings, melon margaritas, and of course, sharing stories at mealtime by candlelight....

I'll return next year...mark your calendar! May 2, 3, 4, 5, 2019
I've also included my paintings from a current show called "Songs of the Ranchos" 
Enjoy! 

 Agave the Ranch Dog

 Bellota Canyon

 Baja Nectar Bliss

 My Hubby and I at one of the many beautiful wineries 

 along the Crest Trail

 one of the 27 horses ...free range...2,800 acres

 Dudleya

 painting on location at Bellota Canyon

 Conquered  the Crest trail! 

Dudleya, white sage, Baja tickweed at the ranch

Happy Spring!

Spring has arrived with blooms and weeds and allergies ....but its all beautiful! 

I'm getting ready for Artfest at San Diego Botanic Garden this coming Saturday and Sunday....
Lots of new ceramics and paintings for you .....

 I'm also working on new paintings for an upcoming show at Mission Trails Regional Park ...info here...."Songs of the Baja Ranchos". This will be a group show of the artists who teach at Rancho Bellota in Baja, Mexico. My upcoming workshop is sold out and I'll return next year! 

                     

 Cañon Bellota

Acrylic