The Breath & The Clay 2015

We hosted our first Breath & Clay gathering in February of 2014. It was a weekend event full of incredible art, music and keynote speakers. Our hardworking community of friends put it together on a shoestring budget in less than two months time. The response we received exceeded our highest expectations.
People’s lives were changed. Those who never thought of themselves as “creative” gained a liberating perspective, awakening the artist within. Everyone who attended left inspired to pursue the impossible with confidence.
Throughout the year, I continued to receive emails asking when we were going to host another gathering. Honestly, I wasn’t sure we were going to, but it quickly became apparent to me that this was bigger than anything I had intended on my own. This is part of a greater movement of creative awakening taking place worldwide.
The creative impulse is at heart of our humanity. It is the reflection and image of God within us. To connect with this part of who we are is to engage one of the primal callings we share as individuals and as sons and daughters of God. To liberate the creative spark within us all is to take one step closer to seeing the earth bear the resemblance of heaven.

- Stephen Roach

Creative Writing Conference

The writer inside of me was unlocked even earlier than the musician.  I began writing and illustrating my own stories as early as 7 or 8 years old.  I have followed this passion for all of my adult life through lyrics, poetry, story-telling and more recently, non fiction essays. 
I will be sharing my journey as a writer this weekend in Washington D.C.  The link and details are listed below.  If you are interested in writing, please consider coming.  It will be a fabulous time fo growing together. 

Australia Bound!

In just a few short weeks, I'll be headed to one of my favorite countries on the earth, the land of Oz, or as you may know it, Australia.  This is going to be such an exciting tour because I will be teaching on the Creative in several cities across the country as well as hosting concerts and events with my crew, Songs of Water.  This will be our first international tour together. 
If you have friends in any of these regions, let them know we'll be there!

Home.

Hey Friends,

The changing of seasons always brings its own poetry.  Our recent travels through the hills of Tennessee and North Carolina reawakened my sense of wonder.  The immensity of those Appalachian mountains always serve to remind me of how small and frail we are as human beings. 

We couldn't have picked a more beautiful time of year to travel over those twisted roads.  The burnished leaves and majestic blue hues of those ghostlike mountains leave me speechless.  Hard to do for a man of words.  Finally the coiling roads have led me back home for the winter.
 
The band is busy writing music for our next record.  I've been hacking away in front of the piano like a big block of marble.  Sarah and I recently celebrated our son's first birthday and have enjoyed gatherings of friends around the fire pit and in the kitchen.  I'll hopefully be blogging a lot more now that i am as close to stationary as i can get for the next few months.  Keep in touch.  Let's go even higher in 2013.

Mid Summer Update

Hey Friends,

A lot of amazing things are happening this year.  We had a blast in Seattle, San Diego, Harrisburg Pa.  this past month.  Look for some upcoming West Coast dates for September.  I'll be teaching on Creativity etc.  In Sacramento.  Looking forward to connecting with you all again.  Check http://www.songsofwater.com for band dates. 

Stephen

Spring Updates

Hey Friends,

What an incredible year 2012 has been already. I'll be doing quite a few Creative gatherings in the next few months as well a ton of new Songs of Water tour dates. I hope you can join us for some of them.

On the home front, I've been hosting a monthly gathering called "Developing Yourself As An Artist: Conversations in Creativity". This is typically held on the first Saturday of each month at 1040 Burke St. Winston Salem NC at 10 a.m. You bring your journal, we provide the coffee.

More info on this can be found at: http:www.awakews.org

Winter Hibernation

Hey Friends,

I will be spending the winter months at home with Sarah, Belle and our newest member of the family, Isaac Brighton. I will be posting news and events for 2012 soon. Have a great holiday season. Thanks for all your support in 2011. It has been a great year full of creativity and wonder. Let's go even further next year.