MOMENT BY MOMENT
"The
path is the goal. It has one distinct characteristic: it is not
prefabricated. It doesn't already exist. The path that we're talking
about is the moment by moment evolution of our experience, the moment by
moment evolution of the world of phenomena, the moment by moment
evolution of our thoughts and emotions. The path is uncharted. It comes
into existence moment by moment and at the same time drops away behind
us."
- Comfortable With Uncertainty by Pema Chodron
None of us, neither students or this teacher, could have predicted the absolute flow that we encountered this week as we worked and played together on what we like to call "our stuff." From the moment the workshop began, with a presentation of my huipil collection and a brief explanation of the history and traditions, to contemporary thought in regards to symbolism, metaphor and materials, the energy swept us all into an exquisite excitement that lasted for two days.
Two students, unbeknownst to each other, had brought heirloom aprons to incorporate into their huipils. After much debate, one ended the other claimed hers as a bit of wholeness that was needed for her to survive in tact. What do aprons have to do with huipils? Women's work, of course! We stitched, we glued, we cut, we ate, and we talked. Alot! As women do.
Tears were shed, laughter was shared, creativity soared and madness ruled! Nothing had to make sense, everything was perfect as it was, no right, no wrong, just following the creative path as far as we could in the allotted time.
Strangers became friends, scraps became art, personal histories became intertwined with imagination.
Some of the themes we played with:
Old ways of being
Beliefs no longer held
Hoped-for experiences
Past actions vs being present
Who we think we are
Who others think we are.
All get concealed and revealed, revealed and concealed, until they blend, and we accept them. They're beautiful.... we are who we are because of them!
Says Patricia:
"I have wanted to work with Lena for many years now and was thrilled when she announced the Pathmakers-Huipil Workshop. What a pleasure to work for two days with others making personal art. The studio-artist's home sings with creativity. Between the surroundings and Lena's supportive, guiding presence my vision for what might be was surpassed. YES!"
Says Kathleen:
"Any time you can work with an artist in their studio, jump at the chance! I was lucky to hear about Lena's workshop in time to attend and enjoyed every minute living in her particular and beautiful world of visual art. Working with new materials and concepts I learned to expand my creative horizons and now feel inspired to take risks, think way outside my various boxes and deeply contemplate my creative Path"
Says Judy:
"After signing up I found myself very occupied remembering my entire life and mentally searching for ways to represent it tangibly. Gathering my materials, I traveled to Mexico from Guatemala, and what a joy! Lena is a gentle inspiration as a workshop leader and a lovely person. The group was compatible as we all worked and talked and shared our past lives. And each of us had a rewarding and big start on the final image we created at the workshop to take home and complete."
The gift of sharing this huipil path with others is that it's not just in the viewing but in the doing! Next workshop: Oct. 21 / 22. Email me if you're interested, lenabartula@gmail.com
Class size is limited.
- Comfortable With Uncertainty by Pema Chodron
 |
| Kathleen ponders her design ideas. |
 |
| Judy wonders how she's going to sew a snake. |
 |
| Patricia contemplates the nearly blank canvas. |
Two students, unbeknownst to each other, had brought heirloom aprons to incorporate into their huipils. After much debate, one ended the other claimed hers as a bit of wholeness that was needed for her to survive in tact. What do aprons have to do with huipils? Women's work, of course! We stitched, we glued, we cut, we ate, and we talked. Alot! As women do.
 |
| Excitement prevails when something goes the way you want it to! |
 |
| Placement of objects and focus! |
Tears were shed, laughter was shared, creativity soared and madness ruled! Nothing had to make sense, everything was perfect as it was, no right, no wrong, just following the creative path as far as we could in the allotted time.
 |
| Freeing the mind makes for too many choices. |
Strangers became friends, scraps became art, personal histories became intertwined with imagination.
Some of the themes we played with:
Old ways of being
Beliefs no longer held
Hoped-for experiences
Past actions vs being present
Who we think we are
Who others think we are.
All get concealed and revealed, revealed and concealed, until they blend, and we accept them. They're beautiful.... we are who we are because of them!
"I have wanted to work with Lena for many years now and was thrilled when she announced the Pathmakers-Huipil Workshop. What a pleasure to work for two days with others making personal art. The studio-artist's home sings with creativity. Between the surroundings and Lena's supportive, guiding presence my vision for what might be was surpassed. YES!"
Says Kathleen:
"Any time you can work with an artist in their studio, jump at the chance! I was lucky to hear about Lena's workshop in time to attend and enjoyed every minute living in her particular and beautiful world of visual art. Working with new materials and concepts I learned to expand my creative horizons and now feel inspired to take risks, think way outside my various boxes and deeply contemplate my creative Path"
Says Judy:
"After signing up I found myself very occupied remembering my entire life and mentally searching for ways to represent it tangibly. Gathering my materials, I traveled to Mexico from Guatemala, and what a joy! Lena is a gentle inspiration as a workshop leader and a lovely person. The group was compatible as we all worked and talked and shared our past lives. And each of us had a rewarding and big start on the final image we created at the workshop to take home and complete."
The gift of sharing this huipil path with others is that it's not just in the viewing but in the doing! Next workshop: Oct. 21 / 22. Email me if you're interested, lenabartula@gmail.com
Class size is limited.
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