Friday, January 23, 2-4:30pm, or
Friday, February 20, 9:30am-noon
Suggested donation: $30-40
Facilitated by Sylvie Gudin
Friday, February 20, 9:30am-noon
Suggested donation: $30-40
Facilitated by Sylvie Gudin
Explore your visual expressions of grief and joy through watercolor. Guided by Sylvie, each participant will go home with a small watercolor painting.
Sylvie’s Invitation:
During a difficult time in my life, about a year ago, I felt submerged by sadness. One evening I came upon a photo with bright colored flowers. I was struck by it. It stayed with me. Soon after, I knew what I should do. It was like a revelation: PAINT JOY!
Rather than staying with my sadness I decided to resist it, fight it, in surrounding me with images that reflect the beauty of the creation, the beauty of the colors, the beauty of God and hope. First, I made a few paintings with joyful and bright colors just to brighten my house. Then, I felt like God was leading me to paint for other people who might know sorrow.
During a difficult time in my life, about a year ago, I felt submerged by sadness. One evening I came upon a photo with bright colored flowers. I was struck by it. It stayed with me. Soon after, I knew what I should do. It was like a revelation: PAINT JOY!
Rather than staying with my sadness I decided to resist it, fight it, in surrounding me with images that reflect the beauty of the creation, the beauty of the colors, the beauty of God and hope. First, I made a few paintings with joyful and bright colors just to brighten my house. Then, I felt like God was leading me to paint for other people who might know sorrow.
I started painting for a friend in deep pain. And all the time I was painting, I was praying for her. I wanted to give her a prayer in colors. Since then, I painted many "GARDEN OF JOY” -- a little like a “prayer shawl”
But at the same time, grief remains also a reality for most of us. I felt like I needed to acknowledge it in my painting too.
So, it is why I invite you to a joyful time where grief has also its place. While painting we will ponder our pain and express it in watercolor; and also give space for hope and joy.
But at the same time, grief remains also a reality for most of us. I felt like I needed to acknowledge it in my painting too.
So, it is why I invite you to a joyful time where grief has also its place. While painting we will ponder our pain and express it in watercolor; and also give space for hope and joy.
When: Friday, January 23, 2-4:30pm,
or Friday, February 20, 9:30am-noon
(This is not a series; both dates will cover the same content)
Where: Pathways Retreat
Who: For up to nine adults
Cost: $30-40
Paper and used paints/brushes will be provided. Please bring your own paints and brushes if you have them.
Facilitated by: Sylvie Gudin
or Friday, February 20, 9:30am-noon
(This is not a series; both dates will cover the same content)
Where: Pathways Retreat
Who: For up to nine adults
Cost: $30-40
Paper and used paints/brushes will be provided. Please bring your own paints and brushes if you have them.
Facilitated by: Sylvie Gudin
If the suggested donation amount is a barrier to your participation, please give the amount you can afford.
Sylvie Gudin is an artist, translator and spiritual director, who came from France 20 years ago to study spiritual direction. She always had liked to paint, but during her studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, she became more aware of the close connection between spirituality and art. Since (2005) she has been involved in a painting group in Michigan and the Goshen Painters Guild. She prefers watercolor, but dabs in acrylic, and also started Zentangle practice 3 years ago.
She leads Lectio Divina, Visio Divina and offers watercolor lessons and workshops/retreats around art and spirituality.
She lives in Elkhart (IN) and is married to Brent Koehn.
She leads Lectio Divina, Visio Divina and offers watercolor lessons and workshops/retreats around art and spirituality.
She lives in Elkhart (IN) and is married to Brent Koehn.
Registration is limited to 9 adults per workshop. Please register by completing this form.
To pay online, select the "Pay Online" button after submitting your registration form. If you will be paying with cash or a check, please bring your payment to your workshop.
To pay online, select the "Pay Online" button after submitting your registration form. If you will be paying with cash or a check, please bring your payment to your workshop.