Monica Yother, artist, graphic designer and owner of Studio 127 in Huntsville, will host an “Art Journal Retreat” to share tools of how to remain creative. The retreat will be on April 4 and run through the entire weekend, finishing up on Sunday, April 6.
Yother has been an artist for over 30 years and has taught a multitude of classes out of her studio in Huntsville.
Even though her studio is located in Huntsville, Yother makes multiple trips a year to Florence because she loves the city. She has had the opportunities of leading classes at Kennedy-Douglass Center before, and is looking forward to helping other artists break out of their creative lull.
“It is designed to help people who struggle to stay creative,” said Yoder. “So it could be whether you’re an artist, art journalist, scrapbooker, painter, writer or poet, but just struggling with that, you know, that blank page or blank canvas syndrome.”
Yoder will guide attendees through exercises and techniques that have helped her stay creative throughout the years. Most importantly, she intends to help artists “break out of that feeling stuck stage.”
One element of the retreat includes a mini field trip to the well-known Florence store, Mom’s. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse around the store and pick things out that tug on their creative spark.
They will be creating an art journal throughout this retreat. An art journal is a visual journal, essentially a collage in a book, but has the same effect as a writing journal.
Art journals are very personal and unique. “Art journaling is about the feeling of paying attention to what’s happening on the page, rather than having the end in mind,” said Yoder.
Journals have different themes depending on the individual’s intended perception. Right now, Yoder is working on putting her life story into an art journal and gifting it to her children.
Each page has distinct memories. Whether it tells the story of loss or focuses on a childhood memory, the journal can depict whatever the individual has in mind. It truly is a creative outlet.
“I am of the belief that everyone has the ability to be creative in some way. My role is always more of a guide and to help people discover their own creativity rather than just show them ‘here’s how you do this,’” said Yoder. “There’s some technique things that I always teach, and I try to include the principles and elements of art, but I will call myself more of a creative guide.”
Artists who are looking for a way to break out of an artistic block can visit eventbrite.com/e/cultivate-your-creativity-tickets-1134559701609 to register for “Cultivate Your Creativity.” The retreat will be hosted at Southall House at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.
