Presented by Linda Miller
We will have the opportunity to slow down and become familiar with the beautiful surroundings at Wisdom House Retreat Center in February, when all of the natural world is in its winter phase. We will start with simple materials: a sketchbook with drawing pencils and a small journal for writing. (A materials list will be provided, and there will be some materials which can be shared by our whole group.) We will learn about the basics of gesture drawing and contour drawing while sketching objects from nature inside at a table, such as seed pods, plants, fruits, and vegetables. This will help us feel more comfortable with the practice of sketching and experiencing things visually. Then, when we take our sketchbooks outside with us, we can explore and discover the amazing beauty that surrounds us. We will talk about the various ways that we can add words to our field sketching and nature journaling. I will share examples of art with the theme of nature from books that I have, as well as poems and quotes focused on nature. I will ask retreat participants to share favorites as well. We will also try creating our own haiku/simple poems with prompts and queries. There will be scheduled times for meditation/centering prayer/worship and also scheduled times for rest and free time alone away from the group. This is a chance to engage all of your senses in connecting with Awe and Wonder, and the Light and Spirit that is in all beings on the earth! Taking time to pay attention and notice everything that is around us in each moment is a gift!
$510| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATH
$430| PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH HALL BATH
All meals are included: Dinner on Sunday through Breakfast on Thursday
We’re honored to offer scholarship opportunities to programs and retreats, creating opportunities for everyone. Please call (860) 567-3163 to find out more.
The health and safety of our guests and staff are of paramount importance to us. We follow the COVID-19 guidelines provided by the State of Connecticut and the CDC. If Wisdom House is forced to close to comply with the guidelines issued by the State of Connecticut or the CDC, we will return all funds received to date.
Linda loves teaching art classes at the Yale Peabody Museum. She enjoys introducing her art students to sketching outdoors in the gardens and greenhouses on the Yale campus, drawing from the dioramas, and introducing them to the basics of mixing and layering with watercolor.
Linda particularly enjoys the joy and excitement her students feel when learning to observe more deeply as they draw and paint from life. Drawing and painting have been Linda’s lifelong passion and the focus of her education. She received her B.A. from Pitzer College in Claremont, California and has studied art as a special student at Yale University. Her work has been exhibited widely. She has illustrated two books of poetry: Windowsills by Bert Meyers and Restless Motion by Joan Egeland-Scott. She also illustrated The Big House, a memoir by Elise Knapp.
During 2004-2005, Linda was part of the Yale science-art research team that sculpted and cast the life-size Torosaurus bronze sculpture that stands in front of the Peabody Museum. She has also volunteered in the museum’s Discovery Room.