CHASING DOWN THE MUSE:It takes a Sawdust village

”...if we can create a supportive atmosphere for ourselves, we make our job easier.” “” Robert Fritz

Write what you know. How often writers of every ilk have heard this same advice. Sometimes in summertime it seems that all I know about is Sawdust Art Festival and what takes place in and around that venue. So that’s it. Write what I know “¦ now.

The village of the Sawdust Art Festival exists in a grove of tall eucalyptus trees. Each year this village is rebuilt from the ground up in late May.

Each year some 200 artists “” new and returning, old and young, from all walks of life “” come together. They will be neighbors for the time between building in May and June and leaving in September.

As with any village, there will be times of joy, times of hurt and sorrow. There may be conflict and coming together in resolution and support. There may be romance and jealousy, births and illnesses. There will be celebrations and sometimes just holding each other in love and understanding. It is a village like any other.

Most creators learn early to surround themselves with people who support them, support what they are doing, and rally for their success. If they do not, too much energy goes into work other than their art. Often, too much energy goes into resisting outside forces as well, into defending themselves and their art.

In this village of Sawdust, the choosing is begun in the process of who applies, who passes muster, and the lottery system that starts the choosing of booth location. All this takes place well before the gates open to the public in late June. By that time, the neighborhoods within the village are established and support systems are in place.

The neighborhood I “live” in for these two-plus months was chosen very carefully. After a summer of sweltering heat in 2006 and predictions of the same for 2007, choosing an area with cool breezes was a huge factor. Of course, being with easy-going people who were supportive of each other in many ways was also important.

Thus, despite the chance factor imposed by the lottery system, this neighborhood came together.

Susan Wade, Suzette Rosenthal, Marlyse Ruess, Allison Keefe, and the mother/daughter team of Bonnie and Anja Reich form one side of the street.

Jan Sattler, Emily Howell, Walter Viszolay, Patricia O’Neil, Lorraine Hornby, Jude Taylor-Darlin, Christopher Jeffries, and Katlin Evans form the other sides of our triangular neighborhood. Good neighbors all around.

In terms of the art represented, we have two jewelers, two ceramics artists, two glass artists, painters in watercolor, oils, acrylics, and pen and ink. Sculpture and mixed media in its many forms round out the skills represented in the neighborhood. Diversity abounds in every way.

We, and our extended families and friends, support each other and care about each other’s success. Whether sharing almonds and grapes from Christopher’s parents, Bunny and Ryan, or just good conversation in the aisles, we enjoy time together.

We laugh and even cry at times; we “have each other’s backs.” We celebrate the important moments in each other’s lives. We learn from each other in myriad ways. A hug, a kind word, or a gentle touch...all are there as we move through these early days of the show.

It’s a small neighborhood in a small village. It is community. And, for now, it is what I know. It is where I am chasing my muse. And it is one of the wonderful things that I love about the Sawdust Art Festival.

Tall trees and birdsong, the sound of water falling, good food, good music, good art, and good folks too “” what more could one ask? It all works together to provide vitality, momentum, interest, support, energy, and growth. Yes, it takes a village, and what a village this is!

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CHERRIL DOTY

is a creative living coach, writer and artist who lives and works in Laguna Beach. She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (949) 251-3883.