From a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, to a class in Shibori dyeing, we will bow to deer in Nara, visit magnificent temples and stroll the fabric street in Tokyo.
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Japan is a rich culture, I actually got tears seeing the story of a famous kimono artist, it was so very touching. An evening of Japanese traditional food, and dance proves to be an educational look at the lives of the "Geisha ladies" with a question and answer period. They were so accommodating, sweet, and willing to answer all of our questions.

There is so much to say about Japan, it's probably one of the safest places I've been on earth. I was at a coffee house, I sat down outside at the tables and saw a young girl leave her lap top, coffee and phone on the next table. I couldn't believe it, and immediately went into "Mom" protective mode...lol A few minutes later she came back out obviously having used the restroom, and I said "I watched your things for you." She just smiled gave a bow, said "arigato." I was blown away at how safe it was, that would have been gone in 2 minutes any where else.
I hope you can join us for sushi , sake, and so much fun. Treat yourself to a Christmas present, rent a kimono there, dress the part and we will do Japan in 2024. Click the Craftours link above for specifics, oh and I will be Urban Sketching, and teaching a class how to start your sketch journey and practice.
I'll change that dialogue in your head that says
"I can't draw" XXX Much Aloha, Deb

Here is an intro that came out in the "Directions" Sunday newsletter from Craftours......
​Meet Craftours Travel Manager- Deb Haugen! It just dawned on me how sweet my life is, no really, I was going thru pics for this article and realized how damn lucky I am first to be alive, second to lead the life I do, and be surrounded by my family and fabulous people from all over the world. I am so grateful for these experiences. Life really is golden. XXX

Aloha from my little piece of paradise! My name is Deb Haugen, and I’m an artist/designer/teacher from Hawaii. My art career started more than 40 years ago, and throughout my career it has traversed many different paths and mediums. I’ve always been drawn to color, and art in general, that led me to work in Hollywood in art departments on film sets. I worked in film production as an “on set” dresser and as an art director for an independent feature film. I soon realized that supplying my own personal art to production companies was a profitable idea, and I have been licensing my art to popular TV and film projects for many years. I am married to a surfer, care very deeply about the environment, and together my husband and I travel around Oahu documenting a disappearing vintage Hawaii- he with his camera, me with my pen and watercolor. You can see some of the pieces in my SHOP page. They are done in watercolor, marker, and micron pens, or Lamy Safari fountain pens. I like to use smooth Bristol paper as it doesn't pick up paper fibers on my fine tipped pens, and the inks flow smoothly.

Travel is in my blood, and I have the great fortune to be a tour manager/art teacher with Craftours for going on 7 years now. Whether it be in Bali, Vietnam, Italy, or Japan, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to meet many wonderful people on our tours, and truly count them as family now. It is such a joy to teach our travelers a variety of techniques in arts & crafts, collage, urban sketching, fabric design, book-making, and general painting techniques. Art can be a powerful enhancement to our lives in so many ways. It’s a fun way to express ourselves and a meditative way of expressing our inner visions. One of the things I especially love, while I am on tour, is meeting a variety of different artisans who warmly open their homes and studios to our groups. They share with us ancient techniques, sometimes passed down through generations of one family, such as the woodworkers and painters of Bali, Indonesia.

I am happy to invite you to join me on one of my exciting Craftours adventures and travel the world together through a unique and one-of-a-kind experience. If you click on the link you'll see where I'll be headed next. I have a secret....I'm planning a handmade book session, along with a watercolor and embroidery experiment, we are planning on some really exciting tours and crafting in the next 2 years, so hang on, and come join us for a great time of self discovery, travel, meeting artisans worldwide,  and fabulous ART!!!
https://craftours.com/tourcat/deb-haugen/

Another day on tour we went to the largest art gallery in Bali, and have a painting lesson in a beautiful family temple. Each family member graciously help guide our groups in the painting processes.

One of the highlights of our tour is learning about the Art of Batik, and we learn and experience this in one of the largest Batik fabric sources in the world. Master craftsmen show us how to stamp hot wax, dye fabrics, and the layering process of creating these beautiful fabrics.

So if you've ever wondered about Bali, I have to say it is one of my all time favorite places in the world. Sure, it takes awhile to get there, but the positive always out weighs the long flight. You'll find that the people of Bali welcome you with open arms, and the food delicious.  It's so reasonable cost wise once you get there, and the landscape and shopping un-matched. The history of Bali is fascinating, and their religion permeates throughout the entire island. You'll see Hindi temples everywhere, and wonderful Canang Sari (handmade flower offerings) everywhere you go. My son use to live there and one of my all time favorite memories was flying on the back of his scooter through the rice fields to catch the sunset one evening. Bali will mesmerize your senses.....I promise. If you want to get in on the Oct tour you will have to contact Craftours before the end of this month. #Craftours #Bali #TravelBali #ArtistsinBali #TravelswithDeb #Indonesia #Denpasar #Ubud ##Balivacation

Yeah I am also. Really. People see that I create a daily sketchbook page, but sometimes it's  so hard to look for the imagination and drive to get it going.
So, I decided that my rhythms as a creative being comes in spurts, its like when your car is running out of gas it sputters. Jumps ahead a little, then sputters, you fill it up and it flies!

I'm accepting that now, and it comes back to me easier. A lot of times artists & crafters get frustrated with what they're working on, and just quit. Go ahead and step back.
That is how you feel occasionally, and it's ok to just sit back, acknowledge and watch these feelings. It's helped me, maybe it will help you to overcome that block....know it's just momentary.
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Observe and breathe for a minute, just watch, and try to get some energy by reading, watching documentaries, and looking at art. You WILL see something that sparks a light in you.....I promise. Research can be,  and often is inspiring.  I've found that if I lay back on creating and delve into research and just enjoy the art that others are creating it stirs my imagination. What if they did this or combined it this way, and my mind is off and running.

For the past several weeks I've just drawn in my daily sketchbook, that was enough....a portrait of yourself helps also.

I took a vacation, let my mind wander. Hopefully my mind will come back refreshed when I return and pick up a paintbrush. Keep your fingers crossed.

Self portrait 2022, pen and ink, colored pencil