Wednesday, August 1, 2012

IDAL Conference in Reno-2012

The 2012 IDAL conference just ended in Reno, Nevada. Each conference has it's own identity, and this one was all about creative energy!



Held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, the view from my room was spectacular.


We were "wined and dined" literally, and enjoyed all the perks of our environment.



Meetings took up a lot of time, but were balanced by lectures, classes and expo fun!



I studied first with Mats Carlsson from Sweden. We worked on a pompeii technique applied to Michelangelo's Creation from the Sistine Chapel.


I was fortunate to be in the first class Steve Shriver taught at IDAL! This class covered how to paint trompe l'oeil style of egg and dart ornament. (Sign up early next year people, he will be a sellout!)


The energy level at this conference was intense! The casino action seemed to feed the frenzy of all the decorative artists gathering in one place. At Expo, I worked the IDAL booth, attended the painted apparel fashion show, watched the speed painting, talked shop with many vendors and other artists and enjoyed some wine and cheese.

The Annie Sloan chalk paint booth was packed with people trying the products.


Speaking of other artists, I met Peggy Hunt during the Expo opening. She claimed to be an avid reader of my blog (blush) and brought me a very unique gift.


Hmmm.....what could it be???


It was this lovely hand. Peggy must be an avid reader, as she noted I was looking for a hand to add to all my curiosities. This hand fit perfect on a stack of marbled books. I placed a small wooden egg I had marbled to finish the composition. Thank you so much Peggy!



So you see, attending the IDAL conference is really about connecting....with old friends, and new ones. The classes teach you new techniques and deepen your portfolio but the connections you make cannot be compared to any social media on the internet. If at all possible, make Indianapolis (Oct 8-12) your destination for some incredible energy, life lessons and long term friendships in 2013! I will be there waiting for you.

8 comments:

Karena said...

Theresa I would love to attend next time ...so many great classes and connections! Love your new "hand"!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

2012 Artists Series

Your French Buyer said...

You are a great example for all of us...with all that you know, you continue to expand.

Thank you for a great post...and reminding us, connecting in person is the best connection.

Mark D. Ruffner said...

It looks like a weekend of good energy, and I would have loved to have taken Steve Shriver's class on egg and dart decoration. I've been painting some of that recently and am guessing that there might be some shortcuts (that I don't yet know about)!

Gina said...

Dear Theresa, I admire you for always continuing to learn.
ox, Gina

Theresa Cheek said...

Mark,
I would love to see your work! Yes, there is definitely a pattern to applying the highlights and lowlights. Not so sure about shortcuts though!

Theresa

Theresa Cheek said...

Thank you Gina. The more I learn, the less I know!

Theresa

Pentimento Studio said...

Hi Theresa, Thank heavens for your blog. Now, I don't feel so left out. I love all the samples that you are showing that were done in the workshops courses. Great fun.
Sandy

Helen Morris said...

It was a really lovely convention. We are all your avid readers..I love the gift that you received. Best hand in the casino!
Thank you again for the rose petal jelly. A little bit of Texas garden to enjoy in my UK one.

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