Decoration Day

Sunday, May 3, 2009 It has been a busy week at the retreat; preparing for new guests; taking time out for Decoration Day at the cemetery were my paternal grandparents, my parents, my infant brother and other family members, and friends are buried. It is a tradition in the south to decorate the graves on a special day. I go along with traditions, even the silk flower arrangements, rather than live flowers. It is in keeping with the Church's suggestions, making it easier for the groundskeeper. The day brings back memories of my childhood and past Decoration Days, before silk flowers, when roses, peonies, wildflowers, dogwood blossom and sprigs of forsythia and other plants and flowers were used for bouquets on the graves. These events, like all-day gospel singings, Sunday School, worship service, Wednesday night prayer meeting, and revivals at the small church I attended were the center of my social world. And since the church was only a mile away from my home, I attended all of these from the time I was put onto a "Pallet" underneath a pew until after I graduated high school and moved away from home. They remain much of who I am today, except that God's grace much more abounds in me than the hell fire and damnation sermons that I often heard back then. I must say, however, that for many years these "probably" kept me on the straight and narrow path. Not until I fell away from this path, though, did I truly discover God's interest for good in my life, and His desire to bless me through art! Sharing news from this week's emails: “Budding Artist” Hi Leigh Ann, Wonderful things are happening with my new art retreat and one of those is the creative spirits God brings to the retreat. Have you checked out my web site? I have redesigned it as the result of my first artist retreat guests in April. Their visit here was a transforming experience in my concept for the retreat. The web site is: http://artforartlovers.net. I have renamed the retreat to "Women of God Art Retreat." And my first guests have become my Goddaughters. I have a feeling that the remaining years of my life will be blessed with many more Goddaughters. Your daughter, Alley, may well become one of them. My heart is open to the gifted people God chooses to send this way. I love working one on one and in small groups. As the retreat evolves according to God's plan it is still quite flexible...and I can be flexible as well. I would love to have your daughter attend a retreat with you, by herself, etc. There is nothing I love more than sharing what I have learned about art, being an artist and how God has affected my life bringing me to this new creative juncture. I celebrated my 70th birthday in March and am happy to say that I believe the best years of my life are ahead of me as I do mentor others through my work. My rates/fees are modest. Five days at the retreat, including accommodations, use of kitchen and the studio is $250. Private instruction is extra and can be designed around the person's needs. If you were to want me just to take your daughter in two for four to five days I will be happy to work something out that will help all of us. She will have the opportunity of living with a real artist, working and learning for much of each day in the studio, and we can be creative in the kitchen as well. The $250 does not include food but we can talk about that as well. I said flexible and you can see this is what I mean..It is important to me to live as I live daily in the retreat and I believe it is the best way I can serve other artists. If this interests you, let me know, give me some of your ideas, and we will keep talking and see what develops. Sincerely, Ann Hamilton