I’m sitting in a snug chair and searching round on the lovely environment, watching folks I do know and don’t know go by and I hear myself inform myself, “Gail, you might be soooo fortunate to be right here, proper now, on this place.” Which place chances are you’ll ask? The IAPS 2022 Conference on the Resort Albuquerque in New Mexico, USA.

Now again residence, I’m slowly getting over COVID-19. Sure, I arrived residence with it together with all my reminiscences however fortunately, I had nary a symptom whereas on the conference. And with the quiet of relaxation and recuperation, I’ve had a lot of time to mirror on IAPS 2022 and all that it meant to me. I began to consider the entire thing because the Artwork of IAPS 2022. 

So let’s take a look at what I’m speaking about. 

There’s the Artwork of Pulling It All Collectively, accomplished so effectively by the Board, the Exec, and the legion of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Bravo to them!

After which there’s the Artwork of Coming Collectively. There’s an artwork to balancing deep conversations with attempting to unfold your self round to one way or the other join with the numerous many individuals chances are you’ll need to converse with (and the record will get longer every IAPS!). There are outdated associates after which there are all the numerous new ones nurtured thus far solely on social media who you’re assembly in-person for the primary time. After which there are model new associates made on this second of IAPS 2022. So you’ll be able to see, there’s an artwork to creating certain we’re in contact with all these marvellous folks. 

In all probability one among my favorite moments was spending sudden and prolonged time by the pool (there’s a pool?) with Michele Ashby and her husband Paul. Talking for myself, I actually felt like we had been already good associates after years of connecting over Fb. And even with the stunning dialog we had, it felt like we’d barely scratched the floor of deepening our data of one another. 

One other memorable second was by accident getting right into a deep convo with IAPS President Richard McKinley on my first night. He’s a busy man so this was a treasure!

I want I’d been in a position to spend extra time with Lynn Howarth who once more, I’ve recognized for years on social media but assembly for the very first time in particular person. We really didn’t even see one another on the conference till Saturday, the evening of the Banquet! I don’t understand how we stored lacking one another however we did. And nonetheless we solely had minutes to hug up and say Hello and wow wasn’t this superb. However as Lynn mentioned, we’ll take up our dialog after I go to her in Scotland subsequent yr!  

Fortunately, I spent quite a lot of time with my roomie Brenda Boylan and we each frolicked with the stunning Aaron Schuerr. I additionally had snippets of conversations with Duane Wakeham and Richard Sullivan (two of my favorite folks!). A spontaneous dinner out with members of Pastel Artists Canada was a delight.

I additionally had some sudden airport time with an artist I’ve admired for some time now, Diana Sanford. And oh how enjoyable to satisfy IGNITEr Gisela Llorens in particular person. Yay! 

And there have been so many others it appears I solely managed to wave to – Adrian, Tony, Albert, Sally, Don, Carol, Sandra, Lisa, Tanya, Stephie and the record goes on.

And eventually, there was some lovelies who had been followers…of mine! I’m solely me and but, they made me really feel like a celebrity. Thanks!

Then there’s the Artwork of E-book Signing. As an teacher, one among my work was included in a superbly produced memento e-book. IAPS organized a e-book signing session with aaaaaallllll of us instructors lined up within the lovely lodge courtyard portico. Ohhh the artwork of signing and personalizing and never getting hand ache lol! Oh and the signer to my left? None apart from Glen Maxion! We had a enjoyable time between signings. Nice to get to know him and later his spouse (briefly!).

And what about the Artwork of the Demo? There have been many and I used to be fortunate sufficient to take a seat in on two as a volunteer digital camera operator! I fortunately absorbed the working strategies of a hero of mine, Margaret Dyer. She labored rapidly and confidently, drawing up the determine (from a photograph) and laying down the color, alternating cool and heat temperatures. And she or he did this twice within the three hour session! Magical!

The opposite demo I sat in on was with the pleasant Teresa Saia whose vibrant work explodes off the paper! It was sensible the way in which her picture developed so rapidly. 

After which there’s the Artwork of the Workshop. On this case, mine! I had a small group which labored for us all – I used to be in a position to give extra time to every scholar. They had been diligent and dedicated to the work I laid out for them to do which as a instructor is so rewarding to see. I additionally looooved listening to these Ahas!

There’s additionally the Artwork of Shopping for (and Promoting)! Yup – the sweet retailer because it’s affectionately recognized. Lower than the conventional variety of distributors (as a result of COVID restrictions or not sufficient restrictions), it was nonetheless a enjoyable place to be!

And eventually, there’s the Artwork of the Artwork that means the Artwork within the accompanying exhibition. I’ve chosen a number of items that caught my eye after which hooked my thoughts and coronary heart. There have been extra in fact however with restricted house, I’ve whittled it down to those few. And oh the selection was tough! (You may see the entire exhibition and winners right here.)

Subsequent time, I plan on staying longer so I can expertise the Artwork of Exploring Outdated City, the Artwork of Connecting with Extra Folks, the Artwork of Plein Air Portray, the Artwork of Letting Go and Dancing (whaaaaat? How did I miss that this time?! It’s a excessive level of IAPS for me!!), the Artwork of Simply Being in Stillness…by the Pool, the Artwork of Higher Scheduling So I Can Do It All. So my record is ready for subsequent time! 

In case you had been at IAPS 2022, what was your spotlight, your one Artwork of…? And if you happen to weren’t there, are you planning to be there in 2024?

Till subsequent time …when I’ve a cool visitor for you!

~ Gail

PS. There’s additionally the Artwork of Catching COVID! That may imply getting lax with mask-wearing and in addition having a little bit of an ostrich-head-in-the-sand hope. Ah effectively. 

PPS. I wrote an article for Pastel Immediately known as the Smartest thing about IAPS. Chances are you’ll be interested by it.