*Dave checking out some of the Gerhard Richter paintings at the Tate Modern earlier this year.*

I love documentaries, especially documentaries about people who are creatives, visionaries and pioneers. Not only do I get a glimpse into their creative process, I get to be inspired.

Let yourself be inspired, here are ten documentaries to get you started:

Gerhard Richter Painting I LOVE to see artists at work and gain insight into their creative process. This documentary left me feeling validated and inspired. Seeing an entire room of his paintings in London earlier this year was the cherry on top.
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff The man did an artistic film called The Red Shoes in the '40s, and Rambo in the '80s! With contributions from Martin Scorsese, Kirk Douglas and Lauren Bacall, this documentary was a great look into a man's creative legacy.
Herb & Dorothy A fascinating story about Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a postal clerk and a librarian, who were two of the most famous art collectors in New York.
EAMES: The Architect and the Painter A glimpse into the creativity and lives of husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames. LOVED it! Someday I will own an Eames chair...
America's Castles: The Homes of Frank Lloyd Wright This is a great introduction to Wright's work and vision. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything recent to link to for this one, but if you can find it on Netflix or at your local library, I highly recommend it.
Objectified Done by the same folks who brought us a documentary devoted to Helvetica, the font, Objectified is an enlightening look at industrial design and the detailed planning that goes into anything from the lowly potato peeler to the technology we use every day.
The September Issue A great glance into the life of Anna Wintour and Vogue magazine's prep for its biggest issue of the year – and in Grace Coddington's creative process for coming up with the photos made famous on the news stands.
Bill Cunningham New York People like Mr. Cunningham, who do what they love and love what they do, inspire me. Period.
Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman Another inspiring story about a long-time practitioner of his craft: architectural photographer Julius Shulman. Beautiful, beautiful images.
In the Realms of the Unreal (see trailer below) A documentary about unknown-to-me self-taught artist Henry Darger. This man meticulously created an incredible imaginary world for himself, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so prolific. His story is eccentric and his art sometimes disturbing, well worth the watch.

How about you, do you have any favourite documentaries?

I'm always up for a new one!

tree in morning sunlight, Squam Lake, New Hampshire

Right now, as I type, there is a powerful gathering happening in the woods of New Hampshire.

Kindred spirits have united for five days by the shores of Squam Lake. Most likely there are smiles and hugs; mostly like there are tears; most likely there is delicious food, creative magic and powerful transformation.

I want to be there.

Year after year my journey to Squam Art Workshops has been a pilgrimage of sorts. This year is the first time I've missed it since 2008 and boy did I ever underestimate how much of a void it would leave!

I've experience deep transformation in those woods.

I've experienced safety, acceptance, letting go, healing, friendship, deep, deep joy and an aliveness I've rarely been able to rekindle elsewhere.

Even more beautiful, I've witnessed all of this in others too.

But that's not all.

Five years ago, at Squam Art Workshops, I picked up a paint brush for the first time since kindergarten and haven't put it down since.

The week before the workshops, I remember heading to the art supply store with my class supply list not knowing what half of them were. I was extremely intimidated. Thank you, kind and helpful art supply store employee, you helped me fill my shopping basket without feeling the least bit embarrassed.

I remember the first class on that crisp September morn with Misty Mawn, as I collaged random pieces of the fancy scrapbooking paper and vintage magazines I'd brought with me not having a clue what the hell I was doing. But hey, I was doing it.

my first collage from Misty Mawn's class

I remember listening to Kelly Rae Roberts and Mati Rose McDonough speak to us one of those cool evenings in the Playhouse, and how when Kelly Rae mentioned that before attending her first art workshop she didn't know was Gesso was either, I sighed a sigh of relief and knew I'd be OK. (It's a form of primer used to prep painting surfaces.)

And how could I forget pushing through my first ever "big" painting with the gentle help of Lisa Occhipinti, and the tears of joy that sprang to the corners of my eyes as I declared it complete?

Purely Coincidental (My First Painting Since Kindergarten, 2008)

my first "big" painting (technically a mixed media piece), with Lisa Occhipinti

Finally, on the last day, I took Andrea Scher's Superhero workshop. I was late arriving and felt a little embarrassed, but Jen Gray was there with her gentle smile and pointed me to some rocks with messages painted on them, making sure I picked one before I entered. I chose one that told me exactly what I'd discovered that weekend in the woods: that I belonged there.

I still have that rock.

There's no way I would be where I am now without crossing paths with Squam Art Workshops and all of its gifts.

THANK YOU, dearest Elizabeth for sharing your vision and your gifts with us, and for creating this space for us to grow and thrive.

Even in absentia, Squam Art Workshops is that powerful.