My grip was tight around the rope – as tight as I hoped the rope swing was secured to the branch above. A lot of other hopes ran through my mind as boaters anchored in the water just beyond the drop zone waited for me to muster up the courage to swing on that long rope far over the rocks and drop into the water beyond.
Read MoreI’m not an expert on earth pigments. Actually, that’s not even my goal. But something is pulling me toward thoughtfully exploring natural earth pigments. Since this exploration will be slow and woven into my creative journey, I thought I could share it with you – woven over time – in my journal. What a perfect time to log my first journal entry on this subject – earth day. This is the beginning. What will unfold is yet to come….
Read MoreFlowers have seduced artists for centuries. They are beautiful, ever changing, and diverse, the perfect subject to study lines, color, light, movement and composition. Honestly, the list goes on and on. For as long as I can remember, blooms have found their way into my art, from line drawings to paintings, even doodles. Throughout winter they continued to tug at my apron strings and I listened. Now, I have an entire collection of blooms coming March 29th and I don’t think I’m ready to stop following blooms just yet.
Read MoreTime away from the studio is as important for a creative as time spent in the studio. This means that play is a critical. It is necessary. It is important because it protects our energy and fuels our creativity. The inhale that fuels creativity is found in the balance between work and play so we feel alive and inspired. As the warmer weather slowly melts the snow from the many storms this winter, I’m reminded of the things I love most about our family ski trips.
Read MoreMy love affair with color began with my first big box of crayons, the one with 64 “different & brilliant” colors that boldly advertised the built-in sharpener on the back. That box called out to my inner artist, not with red, blue, yellow, but with names like apricot, bittersweet, copper, cornflower, periwinkle, salmon, sea green, maize, midnight blue …. Seriously! There wasn’t a single color I didn’t find something redeeming about (yes, even carnation pink)!
Read MoreI whisper softly as I tie my smock. I light a candle, a winter scent fills the air with cypress and smoke, taking my mind on a quick nature walk. I sip my tea, a white hibiscus with lime and ginger; the spices on my tongue and the heat on my palms relax and ground me. My fingertips run over the textured, blank canvas, feeling the thirsty hills and valleys that will soon grab hold of my paints.
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