Hello Friends,

We’re into August already and I’ve worn out the heels of my boots and glad for a fine collection of scarves and wraps. Melbourne in the depths of winter was not easy to return to after a few days in sunny Sydney! Was great to see my Rose and visit the Art Gallery of NSW with Ria, artist friend on the home stretch of her phd.

Academic study of Visual Art might seem like a kind of madness, but it really is a structure within which to claim time and energy to make ‘the work’. In Ria’s case (Elefteria Vlavianos), ‘the work’ is a devoted visual translation of fragments handed down from her Armenian forebears and cultural guardians, of which she is one herself now.

If you’re in Sydney, check out the Asian gallery for a fabulous water-themed exhibition: In One Drop of Water. I’ve posted a few photos on my Insta page including the exquisite crystal drop of water on a lotus leaf carved from wood by (living) artist Unryuan Kitamura Tatsuo.

Last week I was in touch with the language school where I presented my ‘Love your Creativity’ retreat in Florence and have the ‘go ahead’ for the first 2 weeks of April 2020. This time around, I’ll be running a different offering in this treasure-trove of a city. More about that in a moment.

You might recall that earlier this year, I presented my new “Make your Sacred Art” course in Daylesford and Canberra. A four day immersion, there were eight creative projects like doorways into exploring and experiencing your unique creative expression.

My intention for creating this course was to share from my life-changing art experiences during the last 30 years. Less about making something sacred (which can stress people out with expectations), it is actually more about the how seemingly ordinary creative tasks and materials are transformed in creative process becoming extraordinary experiences of connecting within and expressing ones’ authentic Self.

Now called “Replenish your Artist Within”, this course will run in Florence over 5 sessions from 13-17 April inclusive OR I can bring the course to you as 2, 3 or 4 days at your venue.

The course in Florence is not a retreat. There are so many great airbnb options, and it’s a challenge to find places to sleep more than 3 people, so we find our own places to stay and meet for classes, coffee/tea and shared meals. However, if you would like to share an apartment with me, let me know.

There are 1 or 2 week options for our time in Florence: language & culture (week 1) and meditative art (week 2). Find out more about what that looks like here: https://florencewithsuzanne.wordpress.com/ For the 2 week option, the school is able to arrange your accommodation with a family or low cost share situation (with your own room).

For my international friends, I’m available to present “Replenish your Artist Within”, should you have a venue and interested people before or after the April course.

Please reply to this email if you’d like to find out more about any of the above.

I’ll be in touch soon…

Take care and happy making,
xo

Photo of Susie and Joan in Santa Croce Cathedral, Florence during our retreat in 2016