On Wednesday morning I’m leaving for an artist retreat taking place at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. The event, Artfest 2009, is something I’ve been looking forward to since I first registered back in September. I’ll be taking a series of workshops over the course of my time there. I’m really excited about learning new techniques, getting inspired, and meeting other creative people. I’ll be taking a camera or three with me, along with my journal and sketchbook. I haven’t quite decided on the whether or not I’ll bring my laptop yet, because sometimes it’s nice to take a break from regular internet access.

One of the things participants needed to do in preparation for the event was create an artwork around the theme of "Sea Monsters, mostly of the eight-legged variety." There will be a group show of everyone’s work created for the event, and it should be interesting to see the variety of ways the theme has been interpreted. I decided to create the collage piece (featured above) using an illustration of an octopus I found and other elements of undersea life I had in my collection of ephemera. I don’t think it’s my best work but I am satisfied with it, and I was glad to work outside the limitations of my usual collage sketchbook.