A Little Conversation ~ Jean Warren's Watercolor Passion

Just to give you a little taste of from where Jean Warren's watercolor and sketchbook passion evolved and let you get to know what's in store for you . . . here's Jean:

"My passion for the Sierras grew after our family moved to California from the East coast 40 years ago. We couldn't get enough of Yosemite as we camped and hiked week after week. And then, a revelation - as I delved more and more into the versatility and portability of watercolor - that this grand outdoors could be my studio! There it was, full of inspiration, color and movement - just waiting for me to compose into a painting with a life of its own!

I use my sketchbook to think, to search for meaning about what it is that I want to say about the scene before me. Why does it excite me, or not? How can I put ME into the painting, my thoughts, my personality, my spirit; my discoveries? What is art about for you ... place, life, memory, celebration, spiritual, exploration, decoration, or the paint itself? I'm truly honored to join you as we paint, journal and learn from nature and each other!"

Basic Workshop Information

Just to get you some of the structure of the Women's Journaling Retreat, I'll elaborate on the basics.

Food, a basic necessity, especially when we are outdoors and exerting ourselves with new exposure (on several levels) is a big concern. Our location is limited to a small store at Lake Alpine Resort and another of similar volume at the Bear Valley Resort. Any personal favorites and most fresh food, I recommend you bring with you. We want everyone to have their personal needs met but also, to provide a gathering time over meals. So here is what Jean and I have cooked up (sorry for the pun) for . . .

Food:

- A "Welcome Dinner" with a two/three choice menu selection (you will be requested to pre-order) will be catered, Sunday, September 19th, the evening you arrive. I just spoke with Gigi, the owner, who said last year they had a heavenly "Squash Ravioli" to "die for."

- Participants will furnish their own breakfasts & lunch preferences. With a full kitchen in the large cabin, The Ponderosa, we can attend to our own needs and pleasures! The smaller, Studio Cabin will have a coffee maker, small refrigerator and no stove. We will all meet and work out of the larger cabin.

- Evening meals (3) will be furnished, with the exception of the Murphys' and Bear Valley evening meals. The Lake Alpine Resort Restaurant will be serving only on weekends.

and Lodging:

- Cabins have heat available. Bedding and towels are supplied. There are no TVs or phones. Cell phones probably won't work unless you have Verizon. There is a pay phone at the Lodge.

- The Lodge has internet connection on a secure system. So you'll need to connect near the Lodge. Also, the boats will still be available to us!!

- Our gathering center for the retreat will be the large two-story cabin, The Ponderosa. It has one large room, 2 seperate bedrooms (1 upstairs, 1 downstairs) and 1 large room with 4 beds. The bathroom has a tub/shower available.

- Sharing the largest cabin, The Ponderosa, there will be a sliding scale, relative to how many ladies to a room (only one private room, first come first serve) and what room is selected. With 2 different rooms (since Jean and I will be occupying one bedroom) and various sleeping arrangements available, we can accomodate nearly everyone.

- If we have an overflow or preferences, we will make available the smaller, Studio Cabin. It consists of one large room, 2 bunk beds (1 double, 1 queen) and small under counter refrigerator, coffee maker and no stove. The bathroom has a shower.

As women register, we will formalize any special food/lodging needs.

Now on to the juicy stuff ~ the things the Retreat will be made up of. Again these may change depending upon any special expeditions we invent or may be available to us (like a demo by a local Restoration Artist). These are the format for our days. We've wanted to keep travel to a minimum to allow a peaceful, settled air to permeate our days.

Itinerary information includes:

4 days:

- spent in the Lake Alpine Resort area, class instruction, hiking and ample private time for journaling, relaxation and reflection

1 day:

- drive into Murphys for "local color", sketching and dinner

- the Retreat will run from Sunday evening, with "Welcome Dinner" and end Friday afternoon. There will be an option to stay Friday evening if participants elect, and then leave Saturday.

How I Fell in Love with Lake Alpine

When I was living in California, I treasured my relationship with the Sierras - it had to take the place of my passion for the Rocky Mountains where I was raised. Early in my courtship with my hubby-to-be, knowing my loyalty to the mountains, he introduced me to the Lake Alpine area. We have camped there many a time and eventually, I grew very comfortable there.

I grew to know the "territory". The trails just up back our campsite were moderate and required no vehicle to access the trail head. The little village that the Lake Alpine Resort created with it's store, restaurant and cluster of cabins created a hub of activity and the owners were always a pleasure. I knew the swimming hole I loved to refresh in, the lake cove where it was always quiet, and the span of mystical granite with historic holes carved out by Natives grinding their food. On day trips, we'd brave it up to Ebbetts Pass and Mosquito Lake or for more of civilization, we'd drive to Bear Valley or Murphys. I felt at home there.

Later, we'd get our week-long camping trips all planned out. I'd be drooling inside to get to my favorite rock I'd discovered where I did my morning yoga . . . and . . . then, as my hubby got busier with his contracting business, we'd have to cancel the trip when he got jobs. I was disappointed and felt helpless.

In my spiritual path, I was learning to take charge of taking care of my needs. And, to be honest, nature, like the Lake Alpine area was one of my needs. So, I started planning a yearly trip up to Lake Alpine, by myself, only I was staying in one of the cozy lil' studio cabins in the village. I'd take a different hike daily, sketching, savoring the rugged, gorgeous mountain country. My precious personal journals are filled with images and several of my favorite fine art pieces were inspired from those visits.

Perhaps you can see, the return to this place, so precious in my memories, is pretty magical for me. I feel this special place helped me grow immeasurably and will always remind me of my core connection to nature, how it fills my soul with joy and strength. But to share this with all you very special women who choose to come along with Jean and I, I can't even find words to tell you my excitement and joy.

Our hope is that this "Women's Journaling & Sketching Retreat" will provide a place of sanctuary, growth, and renewal for all you who share it with us.

Namaste'