You are now in magical Petaluma, California, at the Institute for Noetic Sciences (EarthRise Retreat Center), where gentle deer families roam the area totally unconcerned. It is dawn, the crisp air feels clean and light, but there is a definite electricity for what is about to happen in the following three days.
Now picture a group of 52 beautiful & talented ladies (and one friendly man), all gathered for the sole purpose --or should I say the soul purpose-- of tuning into their creative beings, to play with art supplies, and share with one another. You have arrived at the Call of the Wild Soul (#COTWS) Retreat!
The fun actually started the evening before this dawn, but that was the best picture I took all weekend, so consider that licentia poetica, and let me backtrack to the very beginning.
I leave Portland, OR and head straight south through the fog and rain. About half way into the ten hour trip, about 20 miles from the California border, the first ray of sun appears, and it is sunshine thereafter. Around 3:45pm I enter the enchanted property where the retreat is to be held and met the beautiful Erin Faith Allen, the woman dreamed up this retreat, and she is every bit as friendly and lovely as I imagined.
Opening activities for the night started with a warm welcome from Erin followed by wise words on losing the fear of business in art through strategizing with Jess Green (the genius behind Seek Your Course). A quick shimmy-shake-dance for a transition, and finally a fast deepening to facilitate bonding (and to really set the tone) with the soulful Katariina Fagering (GypsyLoveCafe) who shared her stories and powerful photographs and lead us straight into an experiential challenge helping us connect with one another.
Meeting Teesha Moore
followed by the art sale
Meeting Tracy Verdugo
Meeting Erin Faith Allen