I just got back from a beautiful long weekend at Design Ranch 2018, an inspiring, usually bi-annual program of the Austin chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Artists, held in Texas’ Hill Country. This is my fifth time to attend, and I’ll be back every time I’m able to get there. This year it sold out in eight minutes, so it’s always a stroke of luck to get to go. Camp Waldemar in Hunt, Texas is a gracious host, and their grounds on the Guadalupe River are gorgeous.

I reconnected with old friends, and made new friends. I got my hands dirty and made things by hand – the old school way. We painted signs, made paper, made a cigar-box guitar, learned how to foil stamp at home, and learned how to survive the zombie apocalypse. I enjoyed sunshine, fresh air, and gazing at stars in the clear Texas sky, together with many friendly, creative people.

Someone asked me about the biggest benefit I got from Design Ranch. As much as I love my clients and am passionate about our work, I’d have to say that getting away from it for a few days was a really valuable gift. I think one of the biggest benefits I bring to my clients is looking at their business and their marketing through fresh eyes. Design Ranch gives me the opportunity to look at my own work through fresh eyes, too. I feel creatively refreshed and renewed, and ready to bring new creative solutions to the work I do for my clients.

What do you do to feel creatively renewed?