Australia, New Zealand & Ecuador
I took time off from life as it was in the US and explored places I had dreamed of for years, with a leap of faith, a rolling duffel and a backpack. I headed across the US by train, plane and automobile. Magic unfolded at every turn….
I celebrated with friends and family over the holidays in Chicago and my first stop was in Santa Fe for a private workshop in encaustic mono printing with Paula Roland (http://www.paularoland.com) I created an encaustic monoprint scroll on rice paper, which became the foundation for creative play throughout my journey and the seed for a children’s book!
The year’s adventure brought me full circle from a shamanic initiation I experienced many years before in a small town called Vilcabamba. It was a gift to stay in a friends home for almost two months and have many opportunities to explore ways in which the land is being transformed there by travelers and people retiring in the mountains of Ecuador.
Photos: Top Left: One of the shamanic highlights was meeting Auntie Margaret in Sydney and learning how the aboriginal people lived and dreamed the magic and power of the land. Her stories brought tears to my eyes and my heart received so much healing.
Top Right: Bush Medicine, acrylic on canvas by Jeannie Petyarre. I feel so blessed to have this original painting from one of my favorite Australian artists!
Botton: Water Magic, Mixed-media encaustic, watercolor & ink. Over the course of 4 months I hiked, biked and bussed my way across both New Zealand and Australia. I feel so much gratitude for the beautiful people and homes who supported me and touched my heart.
