Month: September 2012

Penland sketchbook

Blue Ridge Mountains sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Since Jessica and I got back from teaching at the Penland School of Crafts, I’ve been struggling to put the experience into words. But no matter how I go on about how beautiful the Blue Ridge Mountains are; or how unique Penland’s creative culture is; or how amazingly talented each and every one of our students were; or how seriously delicious a hot bowl of cheese grits is after a walk in the chilly morning fog; or how many wonderful people we met; or how much we loved the challenge of basically teaching two classes in one intense week—well, I get a little incoherent. So I’ll let my sketchbook do the talking. (I kept a little notebook in my apron pocket all week, and every time I had a second to spare, I was scribbling away.)

Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary

In short: we can’t wait to go back. Huge thanks to the lovely folks at Penland for hosting us and creating such a wonderful place to learn and make things; to our seven fabulous students for their enthusiasm and willingness to dive right in; and to our angelic friend Mary-Alice for being the absolute hands-down best teaching assistant the world has ever seen. Hope to see y’all again soon!

Penland School of Crafts sketch by Chandler O'Leary