Zne Convenzione 2008.......

I have some wonderful pictures to share of my memorable trip to Pleasanton, California for the four day ZNE Convenzione 2008! I had to take a couple days to unwind from a whirlwind of artistic activities! It was truly a blessing to meet in person many artists I have been speaking with by phone or on-line these last five years. I missed my original flight and ended up in San Fransisco rather than Oakland. So after an $80.00 cab ride (eek!) to the Oakland airport, I met up with Dawn Devries Sokol for a winding and steep drive up to our gorgeous accomodations high atop the hills in Pleasanton. I was so excited to hug long time friends JoAnna Perotti and Kris Hubick. It was such fun having a nightly artist slumber party with the group of eight of us that stayed up at this amazing house!




I truly enjoyed getting to know Dawn. She brought many of the original journal pages from her newly published book "1000 Artist Journal Pages" and shared them at the Vendor Faire. Her art journaling work was a true inspiration! We all sat up late nights at the house looking through her own original art journals as she inspired and encouraged us all to risk the blank page!

Sharing a meal before the opening night show with JoAnna, Kris, Patty, Lisa, Kathryn and Dawn! There is never a lack for conversation with a gathering of creative souls!








Pleasanton was the most charming town filled with wonderful places to eat and shop. It was standing room only at the "American Harvest", on Main Street, owned by Sharon and Rodger Mattern. What an incredible shop filled with the most unique mixed media and vintage treasures. I was blessed by meeting Sharon and excited she would like to carry my work soon in her shop!


Thanks Chelise Hery Stroud (ZNE Founder and event Coordinator) for my beautiful bouquet of roses!







I was honored to sing for the opening night, hear the heartfelt music of Jon Troast and see the incredibly moving and deeply thought provoking documentary "1000 Journals Project". After the screening, the film's producer and director, Andrea Kruezhage, spoke passionately about the project and was truly an inspiration to hear and be in the presence of.

The home we stayed in was absolutely stunning. I have never seen such a breathtaking view. The sunrise in the morning was spectacular. There was a morning haze of clouds that blanketed the valleys. We were so high up that we were above the clouds surrounded by brilliant blue sky and watched as the clouds dispursed to reveal the hills below. Our beds were fit for a queen and we got lost in the fluffy down comforters.















I had the most relaxng and wonderful day creating with all these amazing women (Dori, Kathryn Virello, Kris Hubick, Bonnie Rathjen, Danielle Muller and sweet Patti V. Crump). We took JoAnna's class on creating nests within canvas shadowboxes. The class took place inside the fabulous house we were staying in for the event !It never ceases to amaze me all the many styles and inspired ideas that emerge from each artist and the unique direction they take their projects!


















I was so inpsired by all the cool techniques JoAnna shared with us. After a full day of creating, and lots of M&M eating...this was my finished project!


















The Blue Agave Club was host to an evening banquet in a lovely outdoor setting. It was s joy to meet Lisa Kaus for the first time and hang with my roomies, Tina, Kris and JoAnna! I was so blessed that evening to sit and talk with such a sweet kindred spirit as Susan Tuttle.















The Vendor Faire about put me in creative overload! It was pretty hard not to spend all your profits when you are surrounded by some of the most incredible mixed media artists and their original work! I so enjoyed meeting and talking with all who stopped by! What a treat to get to hug in person my sweet artist friend Zorana.






















I was thrilled to come home with one of JoAnna Perotti's amazing art dolls. This one just spoke to my heart. JoAnna attaches such sentimental trinkets and vintage accents to her dolls and each one has unique and special meaning! She is such a dear woman and friend! Also came home with an adorable collage from Cindy Deluz . She was such as sweetheart and joy to meet! We all agreed the entire event was incredible and everyone hopes to see each other again in April for the ZNE Convenzione 2009!