San Miguel de Allende with Roxanne Evans Stout

 

I am head over heels in LOVE with Mexico. I began traveling through the interior, indigenous and richly traditional areas by the age of sixteen. My love and admiration grows with each return.  Mexico permanently resides in my heart, my greatest joy is in filling yours with the warmth and charm that is always waiting there open armed. I collect "souls" that fit together in a rich tapestry of shared appreciation for diverse cultures, folk art, traditional celebrations, charm and verve!  Leading folk art tours began for me in Oaxaca dozen years ago as a way of enriching the lives of those who accompany me and the many families of artists we visit along the way. This love lead me to San Miguel in 2006, where I have been leading folk art tours several times a year ever since. At sixteen Mexico became my home away from home.  It was her warmth, charm, traditions and flat out creative approach to life that captured my heart. When I found Casa Carman I knew I had a discovered a perfect home for nurturing and sharing creativity with others. I began hosting art retreats four years ago with the visionary Flora Bowley and Bloom True  which continues to be a sell out annual event. This year I am honored to invite three new instructors to share their unique creative voice; you can read about 2014 offerings here.

 

Today it is my pleasure to introduce

Roxanne Evans Stout.

Roxanne can you tell us a bit about yourself?

 

 

I am an artist who is constantly struck by the beauty and mystery of the world. I live at the base of the Cascade Mountains and from my

home I look down on the Klamath River in Southern Oregon. Overhead is the Pacific Flyway, the ancient skypath of thousands of migratory birds. This is my inspiration. Nature and wildlife, especially birds and insects, are an integral part of my creations. Book arts, art journaling,
encaustic painting and collage are my very favorite ways to express myself. I love to combine images that tell a story, convey an emotion or somehow have a message of timelessness. How one moment can be forever remembered in our memory... something as simple as images of a nest, a songbird, or something tangible as small as a found stone, a piece of wire, or string.

As a full time artist, I teach and design art workshops throughout the year and have had my art shown and published nationally. I was a feature artist in Seth Apter’s, The Pulse of Mixed Media, and am very excited that in 2014 my work will also be in Tracy Verdugo’s, Paint Mojo
and Create Mixed Media’s, Incite 2. Please visit me at River Garden Studio

 

 

 

What form of creativity continues to be the most meaningful for you?

 

I discovered collage, the book arts and mixed media about five years ago. Melded together these processes have evolved into a deeply compellingpath that continues to intrigue me to this day. I had been painting and drawing since I could first held a pencil. From the beginning I loved the way while creating a landscape I felt as if I was really there in the painting. And when I drew a part of nature, a leaf, a seed pod, or a flower; it seemed to became more real to me, as if I knew it’s soul. 

 

 

 

The process of playing with different papers, moving them around on my worktable until a collage came alive, transported me to a world of rich textures, colors and images; completely guided by my muse. I have fallen in love with making books to house my collages.

When you open an artist book or an art journal, a story unfolds before your eyes; a story of the artist, their world  illustrated with images,

dreams and a personal history. I have discovered that tearing or altering my own drawings and paintings to reincorporate throughout my books adds a rich complexity to story telling. Attaching found objects or bits of nature to my pages for me, completed the creative process. This is the art that I love, that I want and need, and find the most joy sharing in my workshops.

 

 

 

 

How is an art retreat in San Miguel the embodiment of a dream come true?

 

 

I have been feeling the allure of San Miguel ever since I first visited Rebecca’s blog, Recuerda Mi Corazon.  From her beautiful photographs I knew that the architecture, colors, and exotic landscape were all calling to be a part of my art.   The courtyard setting at Casa Carmen and the opportunity to explore the cobblestone streets of San Miguel will be an idyllic place for inspiration and creating together. I love drawing and painting outside in my own garden inviting birds, butterflies, and flowers to come alive across the pages of my watercolor journal.

My mother was an artist and taught me how to see the world through the eyes of an artist; it's this deep noticing and love of nature, her gift to me, I enjoy sharing with others through my workshops.

 

 

 Has making creativity your path enhanced and changed your life?

 

Creativity has always been a huge part of my life.  When I was growing up my mother taught me how to find beauty in the world. She encouraged my creativity by enrolling me in amazing art classes on the weekends and summer. She was always working on a new project and let me experiment with her art supplies. As a young adult and when I was a mother of young children I would spend my quieter moments drawing, painting and writing; filling pages and pages of journals and notebooks,

including my children in my projects as my mother had done. Now I  am still filling pages, but my books and art journals are filledwith layers of collages, papers and fabrics, and stories that are just my own. The gift creativity has given me is a sense of being true to myself.

In really looking and seeing the world of nature I have developed a gratefulness that fills me with reverence and hope, which comes alive in me and in the pages of my work.

 

 

 

 

 

What are your dreams and wishes for the future?

 

My dreams for the future…..To love my home and my family.  To be surrounded by beauty.  To be able to create and to be creative.  To always be grateful.To grow and change as an artist... but always be true to myself. A big dream for this year is to write a book.  A book that will encourage others to be more creative in their own world, filled with collages, stories and inspiration.  My wish is that the unforgettable journey we will be sharing together in San Miguel De Allendecan somehow become not only a part of our lives, but a part of this book too.

 

   

 

 

 Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your workshop?

 

Spending a week with kindred spirits in San Miguel will be awe inspiring! Five full days of instruction will enable me to share so much of my process with you, it will be a true immersion into savoring the world around us. We will use the language of painting, drawing, bookmaking, collaging, attaching and stitching. Whether you are new to expressive arts or a seasoned artist our week will enliven and inspire your creative fires all coming together in a book of memories and techniques

that you can refer to and cherish forever. I invite you to follow your muse to San Miguel, let me help you find your magic!  

 

Thank you Roxanne for a beautiful view into your

heart, dreams and creative spirit.

I am so looking forward to our week together in

San Miguel 2015

and all who will join us.

For details and to register

please visit

Come Away With Me.

 

Comments

[Annie]

Roxanne, a beautiful interview :-). xoxo

[Nonnie]

your story is so inspiring. what a gift you have; you have a passion about art that I would love to experience.

[Constanza]

Thank you for introducing her. I looked at the workshop
details and it looks fascinating. Will think about it. I assume fee does not include airline ticket?

[River Garden Studio]

Dear Rebecca, Thank you for this post and helping to make this dream of mine and others come to life in the magical San Miguel de Allende. Thank you Annie, Nonnie and Constanza for your beautiful comments!