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I hope your 2022 has gotten off to a great start! As the new year began, I decided that for the 1st time in 5 years, I'd schedule a workshop in my home studio in Perdido Key! To my delight & surprise, it sold out in 3 days! I definitely plan to schedule more of those, so If you would like to be on my advance notification list, please let me know. My PK studio workshops will always be limited to 5-6 participants. Beginning in April I have more workshops scheduled - On the Road Again!  Rockwall (Dallas) @ Hidden Mosaics April 21 - 24, 2022 (sold out) April 27 - 30, 2022 Austin Texas May 3 - 6, 2022 More info on in person & online workshops, here. It was an honor for me to be asked to create an artwork for this project, which will be exhibited at the Skirball Museum in Cincinnati Ohio from Feb. 24 - May 8, 2022. 'From Darkness To Light: Mosaics Inspired By Tragedy', is a collection of 36 mosaic works created in response to and in commemoration of the lives lost in the horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh PA in 2018. My mosaic centers on the word LIFE, CHAI in Hebrew. My simplified version of the tree of life, includes eleven branches, each topped with a golden leaf, to symbolize each of the eleven lives lost on that tragic day. On a more personal note, my father's name, Chaim, is derived from the same root. As a first generation American, daughter of a holocaust survivor, I grew up with a keen awareness of antisemitism, and have always tried my best to eradicate hatred and bigotry from my own life. Until next time, L'Chaim - To Life!  Much love, Gila
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Being out in the country, Belinda assured me that I would see some of Australias unique wildlife. Sometimes, they just appeared in front of us, and to see others we had to go out hunting in the night.
Another fun excursion was taking a ride on the Puffing Billy Railway. The line is one of the most popular steam heritage railways in the world and is kept in operation through the efforts of volunteers of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The railway aims to preserve and restore the line as near as possible to how it was in the first three decades of its existence, but with particular emphasis on the early 1920s. I was told that normally everything is lush green, but unfortunately what I saw was mostly brown, due to the recent drought conditions. We were lucky to have Conductor Fraser, a friend of Belinda's, ride with us, as our personal guide. 
Though I flew in and out of Melbourne, this is all I saw of the city, driving to and from the airport. Hopefully next time I'll get there!  Meet my wonderful host Kerry! She took great care of me during my time in and around Sydney & organized the 2 Picassiette workshop that I taught here.
I love the mountains!
I taught 2 workshops - Flowers and Portraits Here are the results & happy creators. It was a gorgeous day to take the train and then the ferry into Sydney. Approaching the iconic Opera House from the river was a treat. 
 Another huge thrill was meeting Julia Sattout and her family. Julia is a fellow member of Julia Kay's Portrait Party, an online art group. It amazes me that I can walk into someone's home, and recognize, not only her paintings, but the subjects of each painting, all of whom, I have also drawn or painted myself. Another JKPP artist met, and signature in my Portrait Revolution book!
& a few random shots from my final walk around the city.
Here you can see some of the lovely mosaic, glass on glass, spinners that Catherine makes. I love how they brighten up her studio, and garden.
We had a super lovely group of people for the workshop. Several of them had extensive experience with stained glass, 2 of them being instructors at the Brisbane glass guild. Everyone did great work, while enjoying themselves and helping each other. 
On the second morning we all met before the workshop at a local gem and stone shop. AMAZING.....
 For a special treat, on my final day, I took Catherine for her first ever reflexology session. I love having a foot massage, especially after being on my feet for days, teaching and touring. Ahhhhhh! And finally, A mandatory excursion to visit the Koala sanctuary..... pretty much impossible to spot them in the wild. Australia has so much cool wild life! 
 Farewell Brisbane - It's been fabulous!
 This is where I stayed while in Perth! It was amazing for me to stay in this idyllic and beautiful location, with a view of the Indian Ocean. The little blue building on the right is Pat's mosaic studio.  Pat & Horst, were my incredible hosts! They were so generous, kind, and knowledgable. Horst, being a professional chef, made sure I didn't go hungry! He cooked many a fine meal, presented on carefully arranged plates. (I can't believe I didn't take any photos of his beautiful & delicious food!) Speaking of plates... Here's Pat collecting goodies for my picassiette portraiture workshop. Thrift store shoppers of the world unite!
 Another amazing person who was instrumental in getting me to Perth, is Dorothy. I so loved having time to get to know her. Both Dorothy and Pat are active with MAANZ, the Australia/New Zealand mosaic community.  The Art Supply store where my workshop was held, was aptly named Friendz. And, to my great surprise, located on Pensacola St! Hey! That's where I live!  Inside, the workshop begins, with everyone drawing. It was a wonderful 3 days. The room was soon full of laughs and learning as everyone worked diligently on creating thier portraits, over the next 3 days.  I just love the diversity of their work and all their smiling faces! 
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ArtistGila Rayberg 
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