artists

Starving Artist Bistro Comes to Our Back Deck. Come Experience the Magic.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1742[1]Special does not even begin to express how wonderful our evening was last night.

Earlier this month we took our friend, Cassy, who is currently living downstairs in our home, along with her friend, Christy, to a Packer game.  They were so grateful for the gift of a fun night out that they wanted to return the favor. Of course, John and I didn’t expect anything in return, as it was a pleasure to treat them to the game.

When you know two amazingly creative artists, I should have known beautiful moments will come from that. Unexpected moments. Moments that will make your heart ooze with happiness, and pride, for all the thought that went into making a special night for John and I.

Earlier in the week we received a special invitation that said:  “We are honoring you to a date night at the Starving Artist Bistro.  You will dine on deliciousness prepared by acclaimed Chef Christy & Sous Chef Cassy at the back porch bistro by candlelight, lanterns, and chiminea.  Maitre d’Kylie will greet you upon your arrival and the lovely Joie will be your gracious hostess for the evening.”

Around 4:oo pm a flurry of activity began to happen outside on our deck and in our kitchen.  The creative duo began working their magic. As Chef Christy sliced, diced, simmered, and cooked up a storm in my kitchen, her sidekick, complete with bright pink bow in her hair, created magic on our deck turning a corner of it into a private table set just for two.

John and I enjoyed a cocktail on the deck as dinner was being prepared. The evening was so enchanting that I wanted to renew my wedding vows right then and there with John. It was that special.

Around 6:00 pm we were seated at our corner table (a.k.a. card table turned elegant!). As Sous Chef Cassy poured us each a glass of bubbly, Chef Christy explained our menu for the evening.  John and I enjoy going to the Paddock Club nearby now and then where they serve small plate specials on Tuesday evenings. The menu was designed around this very idea and made with many fresh ingredients.  To tease your taste buds I’ve created an album on Facebook of all the delicious dishes we were served, along with other fun pictures.  But here is a sneak peek inside the secret notes of Chef Christy:

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As we dined alfresco on our back deck, Joie and Kylie at our feet, I sat in awe that here John and I were, being treated to a very special evening. A night I’d have never imagined right here in our own home. Accepting Cassy into our lives this past spring was a big decision for us. We have had our ups and downs (more ups than downs) as we all learn to move within the space of our home with respect and thoughtfulness for each other.

John and I have grown in our own unique separate ways from the experience, as well as our relationship together has deepened  in a way I never saw coming. As we continue to mentor our young friend, we find our hearts growing bigger– we want the very best for Cassy. We love her dearly. It feels amazingly good to help someone take the next step toward living a life of authenticity and passion.

In return, Cassy finds ways in which she feels she can repay us, and last night was the treat of all treats. Though, as I’ve told her many times, she never needs to give us any thing or spend money on us.  Our reward will be when her wings are strong enough to fly off into the life she truly deserves. It will be a bittersweet day. But the moments of love, laughter and friendship we have created, and continue to create, will live on in all our hearts forever. Now that is magical.

To experience the magic of Christy and Cassy I invite you to check out their websites!  Fast Eddie’s Studio for Christy and Cassy Tully – Fine Art for Cassy.

Creative Coffee Break with an Artist and Writer

Posted by Barbara Techel

creative coffee break

Two years ago I was blessed with a new friendship in artist, Cassy Tully. It seems like we have known each other a lifetime. Perhaps we somehow did connect in a past life– at least this is the way we have begun to feel about each other.

She is also in my heart the daughter I never had. Though I never wanted children, if I’d have had them, I feel like she would have been the one I would have wished for. We are kindred spirits– that there is no doubt.

A few months ago we began what we call our Creative Coffee Break. We meet once a month to discuss projects we are working on and get input and advice on things we wish to do coming up.

Last week we met in her newly created artist space. She has always had a space in her home where she goes to paint. But most recently she added a cozy area within her painting studio that has a big overstuffed size chair, a table with magazines that feed her creativity, photos that capture favorite moments which have inspired her, and trinkets that remind her of what it means to her to be the artist that she is.

I’m a big believer that everyone needs their own space to just be, or to create, or to do whatever it is that feeds and refreshes their soul.  Awhile back when I posted a photo of my writing cottage saying this very same thing, I heard from one angry woman saying “It must be nice, but not everyone can afford  a writing cottage.”

While yes, she had a point, it made me sad that she missed the point. Besides the fact it is easy to judge as what we think is “must be nice.” My space came to me at a price of giving up something else. Though I don’t feel like it was a sacrifice.  The point is everyone deserves a space to call their very own. It does not need to be a whole separate space and can be as simple as a small corner in your home. And as in Cassy’s case, hers is in her basement.  This may not sound ideal to someone else, but another point is that she made it her own– surrounded by what feeds her soul, just like my space does. Meeting there this month truly fed my soul– but just being around Cassy inspires me to keep believing in myself as a writer and blogger.

Also feeding our souls helps us to go out and face the world- to stand tall in who we are. Don’t we all need that?  I don’t know about you, but I do. It’s why I’m so thankful for my friendship with Cassy– she inspires me on so many levels. It’s why I’m thankful for not only my creative space, but also to be within the space of someone else who is a creative spirit. I think there is nothing like it to shoot you over the moon of inspiration!

We Can’t Fix Each Other

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last night I started a 12-week course based on “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron.  This book is about ten years worth of classes Julia taught helping artists get past their blocks.  She wrote the book so other’s could facilitate the workshops in their area.  I’m thrilled this is taking place at a local arts center near me so I can take the course.  It promises to be challenging, yet hold promise for new paths of creativity to come through.

There are 13 women and one man in our class—I sure give that one man lots of credit!  And one of the gals is in high school and she really wants to be a writer.  I give her kudos also for doing her full schedule of school and adding this class at night.

Years ago I helped facilitate a women’s winter retreat with a friend.  I remember we shared with the group of women that we were not there to fix their problems, but rather to just listen.  This same concept was shared last night in our class. I love that. How often do we just want to be heard and not have our challenge fixed?  Chances are if we can either talk it out, or as encouraged in this course, write three morning pages, we can come to the conclusion that is best for us?

We all experience life differently, so what may work for one person and their challenge may not necessarily work for us.  Instead of holding it all in, we either need a caring and kind ear who will just listen, or we need to take paper to pen and let it all go. I think at times too we don’t voice our concerns or challenges because we don’t want anyone to “fix it” but we just want a safe place to voice it.

It’s a practice to not want to fix someone else’s problems, but one of the kindest gifts I think we can give is to listen or encourage the person struggling to write it down- get it all out.  And if they have fear of someone finding what they write- well then how about a private little ceremony of burning what you wrote and releasing it completely?  I’ve done this in the past with certain issues and am amazed at how much it has helped me.

It will be interesting to see what comes from this class for me.  Have you done “The Artist’s Way?” If so, I’d love to hear any thoughts you’d like to share about it.