Fresh off the publication of one of my favorite projects in Cottages & Bungalows magazine, I was looking for a creative escape as a way to rejuvenate or “fill the funnel” as my friend Margo likes to say.
She always uses that term to describe the sales process– to seek out new prospects never knowing what will come to fruition. I think that advice applies to the creative process as well. We all need different sources of inspiration to keep the creative juices flowing and to allow for possibilities to unfold and develop in their own time—without expectations.
One thing I know for certain is that when I am in a creative funk, the best medicine is often a hands-on activity or workshop where I can be fully present. However convenient, losing myself in an ever-cascading rabbit hole of social media will not do the trick.
Enter my friend Elyse Major, who is always up for a new adventure. After a brief discussion we decided that only one antidote was in order—-
Elyse Major
Photo credit: Marissa Bettencourt Photography
…a road trip to New Hampshire to visit THE Matthew Mead in his studio for one of his winter workshops!
Matthew Mead
Source
As many of you know, Matthew Mead is an accomplished stylist, writer, author, photographer and lifestyle editor.
Source: Cover by Matthew Mead, Better Homes & Gardens, Dec 2014
He was also the style editor for Country Home magazine, one of my all-time favorites.
(Remember the design home they assembled in Grand Central Station? Just epic!)
We quickly registered for the Workshop and before you know it we were in Matthew’s studio working on a fun and creative project, enjoying all the camaraderie while so graciously being hosted by Matthew and his wife Jenny.
The setting, the food, engaging conversation, creative play and just plain ‘ole good cheer made the day so wonderful and memorable.
During the workshop, I had the opportunity to create a decoupage plate, something I have wanted to do for eons after seeing a feature on John Derian’s work in a home decor magazine. We were able to select from several styles of plates and beautiful papers in a variety of motifs.
I love how they all came out!
While everyone has their own way of re-igniting the creative spark, in my case the Valentine’s Workshop at Matthew Mead studio was just what the Doctor ordered…
A feast for the creative soul!
Many thanks to Matthew and Jenny Mead, to fun & adventurous Elyse and her indispensible (but sometimes annoying) GPS phone app, and to our fellow workshop attendees.
Looking forward to more inspiration from Matthew Mead! I’m especially excited for his next publication, Upcycled Style Magazine featuring my friend Danielle Driscoll from the Finding Silver Pennies Blog.
Coming soon to a newsstand near you!
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