Migration of Dates and Birds

The Mount Vernon workshop date has migrated. The new

date is October 16, 2010.

The workshop will take place on Fir Island, a magnificent place I will

always love for it being the first place I ever saw a massive flock of snow geese filling the sky.

That was the beginning of October, so there is a very good chance of seeing geese, and possibly trumpeter swans again during the workshop weekend. I'll be keeping my eyes and ears open for them (they're loud-but it's a great noise)

A sight like this brings poems to mind- especially those of Mary Oliver and David Whyte, two of my favorite contemporary poets.

Here's one by David Whyte, from The House of Belonging :

Above the mountains

the geese turn into

the light again

painting their

black silhouettes

on an open sky.

Sometimes everything

Has to be

enscribed across

the heavens

so you can find

the one line

already written

inside you.

Sometimes it takes

a great sky

to find that

small, bright

and indescribable

wedge of freedom

in your own heart.

Sometimes with

the bones of the black

sticks left when the fire

has gone out

someone has written

something new

in the ashes

of your life.

You are not leaving

you are arriving.

-David Whyte

Fall Workshop Schedule Complete. Final Two Locations Added.

We're all REALLY hoping for a long, warm September. But a recent day of rain was a wake up call to all of us on Salt Spring. It was a call to action to finish outdoor projects that require dry weather, and for us photographers to record what we know will soon disappear until next season.

Every year, my inner squirrel compels me to freeze pesto and tomatoes, and lots and lots of green things from our own garden, and those of the great farmers of the island.

But, while I begin to think of rounding up flashlights and kindling and tomatoes, I'm also remembering what a good opportunity winter provides to get into a very creative zone in the studio. With a lots of images to work with, a few supplies, and a long rainy night- amazing things can happen. Pesto helps too.

Fuel your creative fires this winter with a hearty dose of inspiration....

The Alternative Photographic Techniques workshops schedule for this fall is complete, with a total of four locations!

Just added: Mendocino, California and Mt. Vernon, Washington.

Sept 25, 2010- Salt Spring Is, BC workshop is FULL *

Oct 2, 2010- Port Townsend, WA space available

October 16, 2010 revised date- Mt. Vernon, WA space available

Nov 13, 2010- Mendocino, CA space available

*If there are enough people on the waiting list for this workshop, a second date or a Victoria location may be offered. Please let me know if you're interested in being added to the waiting list.

For more information, or to register for any location: email: amy@grainofsand.com,

or tel: 250-537-4489

Scroll down to see workshop description. Content is the same in each location. Time schedule of the day varies slightly.