USD Magazine, Winter 2003

Al and Josie Rodriguez: founded San Diego's Art Retreat, which offers an inspirational getaway for artists, photographers and writers.

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experienced by being with other people who are creative,'' says Rodriguez, a San Diego native who earned a master's degree in the- ology from USD. "Creativity in art, music - all these things make you more of a whole person." For a fee, students stay for two days in the retreat's guest cottage and receive one-on-one instruction in the arts of poetry, photography, book binding and collage - all with breakfast and lunch included. "It's a place away from the fast- paced world,'' says Al Rodriguez. The retreat can only accom- modate two students at a time, but day workshops also are offered. Rodriguez teaches col- lage, poetry and journal writing, and her husband, a retired high school photography and graphics instructor, teaches book arts and picture taking. "We hope to inspire and help others,'' says Rodriguez, who has self-published a book of poetry

and currently is writing a book of poetic responses to some of the patients she has seen over the years in hospital and hospice

free-lance work. She also took along her reluctant husband, Roman, a software designer.

OR JOSIE (GABLE) RODRIGUEZ '87, THE ART OF SELF- HEALING COMES THROUGH SCIS-

"I took away some real practi-

settings.

cal tips as far as photography

SORS, PAPER AND GLUE. Four years ago, Rodriguez found comfort on the first anniversary of her brother's death by cutting and pasting together seven collages using inspirational quotes from Chinese fortune cookies. "My soul wanted to express something,'' says Rodriguez, a 59-year-old self-taught artist. "Art, writing, are all very healing. It doesn't make you let go of the grief and sorrow, but it kind of soothes it." Rodriguez, a semi-retired chaplain at Scripps Mercy Hospi- tal, and her husband,Al, incorpo- rate that philosophy of healing, nurturing and creativity at Art Retreat, which they run out of their Mission Hills, Calif., home. "I believe creativity can be

Rodriguez says she finds her goes," says Diaz, who brought muse in her husband, her memo- home a couple of framed col- ries, her trips abroad and in every- !ages. "My husband wouldn't day surroundings. ordinarily be the type of person "I like connecting unlike things who would do an art retreat, together to make them meaning- but he stitched the binding for ful," she says, explaining her pen- the book he made and had the chant for collage. "When I'm not best time doing it. It was like he doing art, I don't feel complete. reconnected with the kinder- To me it's a passion." garten kid in him." So far, eight students have Diaz says her husband proudly stayed overnight - a few from showed off his art work to visi- as far away as Michigan and tors long after the retreat, which Virginia - and 50 students have is exactly what Rodriguez wants taken day classes since the cou- to happen. pie began the retreat a year ago. "To me, the biggest thrill is folks Some students are budding who really believe they can't do artists, others are professionals art, yet leave with a whole new who want to try their hand at attitude about art," Rodriguez another medium. says. "It's the most exciting result Sue Diaz, a writer, signed up of what we are doing." for the two-day retreat to learn - Cecilia Chan more about photography for her

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W I NTER 2003