class, art, and brooke's awesome show!

so, i have been taking a lovely e-course called creative courage by stephanie levy.  it ended just last week and was wonderful!  it was a course full of creative women searching for more... looking to improve themselves, their creative endeavors, and wanting to get to know other creative women around the world. 

a class i highly recommend! LOVED it so much!!

it was full of great exercises to help us grow and learn more about ourselves, ideas about improving our creative businesses or skills, and lots of interviews with amazing creative business women.  i soooo looked forward to each of those interviews. i could read about these amazing folks ALL day. seriously not kidding.

as part of the class, we connect with many others from around the world.  lots of the 'students' in the class have shared what they are working on, what their new adventures & challenges are, and encourage each other along the way.

"from a different flock" show opening @ the ohio art league gallery

one of the amazingly talented women in our class was having an art show, from a different flock.  her first!  she was excited (and a little nervous) about this new experience for her... and her name is brooke wenstrup albrecht!  and it turns out that she lives right here in columbus, too!  craziness!  her art show opened may 31st in the Ohio Art League Gallery at the South Campus Gateway (ohio state university area of town).   i was so excited to be able to go and support a fellow artist and classmate!  oh, and actually meet her!! 

brooke wenstrup albrecht & me... her fabulous artwork in the background!

Brooke's art is whimsical, colorful, and beautiful.  i was so impressed with her work and with her.  it made me realize, after talking with her, how important it is to go out and support artists putting their art out there hoping that the public will embrace it.  i have not done that... but it would (maybe will someday) be scary, exciting, and exhilirating all at the same time. 

my hope is that any folks reading this blog will go visit brooke's show (through july 1) here. (fyi, there are 3 artists as part of this show, brian williams, brooke, and eric albrecht... her husband is one of them... and he has fabulous whimsical wooden creations!) the show is curated by paul williams.  all so talented!

"storm acoming" by eric albrecht.  i really love this art form!

if you are out of town, find an art show opening and go check it out.  it is a vibrant, exciting evening with people milling about appreciating a new artist.  how could that not be fun? it doesn't matter if you know them or not.  they will be so appreciative that you have come out to support them.  oh, and don't be afraid to introduce yourself to the artist and give them a few words of encouragement.  

i want to challenge you to get out there.  see what wonders people are creating.  maybe you love their work, or maybe you will decided it is not your favorite... but either way, you are broadening your understanding of art and the creative process.  and i believe this is opportunity to expand your horizons... not matter what your interests are!  

take a look in the arts section of your newspaper and see what art shows are opening.  if you live in the columbus, ohio area you really must experience the gallery hop on the first saturday of each month in the short north!  lots of people, lots of art, life, excitement, colors, beauty.  if you go, please let me know!  i plan to go in july!!  and i can't wait. lots of info here.

i am sorry i don't have more pics of brooke's artwork... but, if you want to see some of brooke's work right now... then check out her shop on etsy which is full of wonderful pieces of her art to purchase.

let's all go on an art adventure this weekend!

happy friday!

~ julie