Creative Reflection – Create Inspiration
Where do inspirations come from? I recently visited France. Everything inspired me there, like how people dress so elegantly, the incredible architecture, the amazing food in all its forms (I ate sooo much cheese). We walked everyday in fresh air and saw many unexpected sights, like Galleries Lafayette on a 50% off day. People were so excited to find their own special bargains in haute couture, that young ladies brought their suitcases to fill, determined to bring it all back home. Inspiration came from everywhere as we went into the countryside of Normandy, the grass is so green in France, the trees have leaf balls in them, and the January fog gives a soft glow to the rolling hills and farms. Going somewhere you haven’t been before is a huge source for inspiration.
I anticipate that 2025 is going to be a year full of changes that will lead to more insights, motivations, and discoveries. Change is a great driver for inspiration. When ennui gets in the way of your creative energy, change things up!
Textile Art Practice 
I’m creating more textile artworks this year, as I continue to work on the Metis Family Services Family Lifestories Project. So far Melissa Burgher and I have created 3 artworks with 3 more to go for the March exhibit. After the show, all artworks are being gifted to the family participants as a keepsake of their own family legacies.
I’m also working on exploring textile art practices to create lifestory art for my family. I plan to share textile art lessons as part of the upcoming Aventuras Retreat in September.
You are welcome to have a chat with me to commission your family history. Through visionary textile art, together we can transform your life stories into captivating visual narratives, creating a living tapestry of deeply meaningful memories and experiences for your future generations.
2025 Art Classes are on the Go!
This year I’m restarting the Creative Canvas series with Fraser Valley Continuing Education (FVCE). Creativity is where we hold our greatest power as human beings. We have powerful reasons for creating like; exploring our potential; connecting to long-held dreams; creating a more interesting life; and gaining satisfaction and accomplishment. So come explore your greatest power – to create! Each class starts with a creative conversation to get you in the right mood, and then I will teach you various acrylic techniques and styles of art in a safe, supportive atmosphere.
March 8 – Meditative Mandalas – Do you love mandalas? In various spiritual traditions, mandalas have been used for focusing our attention, as a spiritual guidance tool, and establishing a sacred space. During this class we will focus on slowing the monkey mind while doing art and create unique mandala art in a state of meditation using acrylic paints and round canvases.
Apr 5 – Strata Painting – Learn how the unique process painting layers can give you a beautiful representation of land and water. During this class we will discuss ways to overcome time and busy-ness overwhelm as it affects our creative process.
May 3 – Funny Faces – In this class, I will teach 2 easy ways to produce a portrait using funny face reference images. You will also learn about great palette choices for portrait painting. Our creative conversation will revolve around breaking through blockages to creativity.
June 7 – Action Painting – I love doing this class in summer, because we can work outside and throw paint to our hearts content! You will learn great tricks for creating an exciting abstract art piece with full expression. As you can probably guess our creative conversation will be all about being free to express to our max.
PoCo Arts Council Drop-In acrylic painting classes are free art classes with a limited audience. They are scheduled on Tuesday evenings 6-9pm the Outlet, and you must sign up for PoCo Arts Council’s newsletter to get the invites to join these classes below:
Feb 4 – Flow and Outlines – Abstract painting with flow mediums and lines.
Feb 18 – Digging In – How to palette knife paint in acrylics.
Mar 4 – Look Owls! – Learn to mix natural colours and paint owls.
Mar 18 – Funny Faces – Learn easy techniques for painting amusing faces.
Shoutout to Surrey Arts West!
Surrey Arts West is a not-for-profit organization bringing quality artist demonstrations and art classes to new, emerging, and intermediate artists. You can drop in at our next meet at Newton Cultural Centre on Feb 10 6:45pm at 13530 72nd Ave, Surrey. The drop-in fee is $10 which can apply to an annual membership of only $35. We would love to see you there!
As for Aventuras Retreats …
I am looking forward to our annual retreats at the cabin with art and wellness themes. I hope this inspires you to take on a change of scenery at our amazing waterfront on Shuwap Lake in Seymour Arm, BC. I’m offering an early bird discount of 15% off any of these retreat dates below, when your commitment is secured 2 months before the retreat start date. All inclusive prices vary from $350 – $600 depending upon room choice. I am accepting reservations with a deposit of $50. Payment by installment options are available. Email me if you would like to reserve your spot for any of the retreats below.
June 20-23, 2025 Artist Retreat with Wendy Mould
Wendy Mould will be returning to guide us in outdoor painting and sketching. I have her back every year, because everyone loves what they learn from Wendy. Her expertise in watercolours, pens, inks and sketching is remarkable, and her teaching style is incredibly informative. Come learn how to capture the beauty of the environment with lake front painting, waterfall inspirations, and the natural beauty of Seymour Arm on Shuswap Lake.
July 11-14, 2025 ChakradanceTM with Barbara Wallick
Last summer the Women’s Wellness Retreat – Reboot Your Base Chakra was amazing! It shifted our thinking in ways that we couldn’t imagine. I personally became unblocked and stayed that way, which has supported my creativity, relationships, and wellbeing. Barbara brings people alive through ChakradanceTM, a fun, therapeutic healing modality that helps you reconnect with body wisdom.
Sep 13-14, 2025 Harvest Cooking and Textile Art Retreat with Joanne Dennis
I will be sharing tips and tricks to great healthy down to earth harvest cooking by going back to the basics. I will teach you how to make cheese, yogurt, condiments, sourdough breads and more. You will learn how easy it is to cook from scratch with basic whole ingredients and save money. Each meal will include interactive lessons where you bring home the recipes and the goods. When we are not cooking, I will teach you some fun textile art projects and art making through reuse, upcycling and reducing fabric waste.
Value priced 4-day retreat weekends with meals and lodging included in the price. Each retreat includes nature walks at Albas Falls (5 amazing waterfalls), deck and beach time, kayaking, creative conversations, healthy gourmet meals, and comfortable sleeping arrangements (single or double occupancy). Audience sizes are small (max 10) and new friendships. I encourage you to take this precious opportunity to prioritize your well-being, recharge your spirit, and immerse yourself in these nurturing Aventuras Mind and Body Wellness Retreats. This is assured to be a rejuvenating and transformative experience into creativity and wellness.
Let me know if you would like me to reserve a spot for you.
Help us get the word out. We’ve worked hard to create a new glamping opportunity on our half- acre waterfront lot on Shuswap Lake, in Seymour Arm, BC. I’m happy to announce that Aventuras Glamping is a superior waterfront site, with 2 house tents fully equipped with comfortable beds (queen bed in tent 1, 3 singles in tent 2), bedding, an outdoor kitchen, a fully plumbed washroom with hot shower, a large deck and dock, 2 kayaks, and a paddle board. Are you ready for a fabulous summer experience at the lake during July/August? Drive up with your cooler and outdoor gear, and a deck chair awaits you. Here, you can be at one with nature, wind down from everyday stress, breathe fresh air, and engage in the many activities the area has to offer. Bookings can be arranged through our website www.aventurasbc.ca or email to aventurasbc@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you at one of my events in 2025.
Live Creatively,
Joanne Dennis
FB: Joanne Dennis Art Studio
Insta @joanne_dennis_art_studio
- PS. Let me know if you want to stay/leave my subscription list. Either way, no worries. I’d love to hear from you all the same.
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