Saturday morning visitor

Visitor on my deck this morning, driving poor Riley crazy.

More Ramblings

Thinking out loud...

What is art? How is it defined? What makes some work stand out and others ignored? What makes it special?

Does truly good art transcend boundaries of country, of culture, of politics? Shouldn't art be universal, something that everyone can relate to on some level? I think it should speak and make a statement. I want a piece of work to move me, to keep me thinking long after I have seen it.

How do I apply this to my work? Do I have the endurance and the strength and training to create a substantial contribution to the art world? I guess time will tell.

San Juan Galleries and Links

Happy New Year Ramblings...

We welcomed in the New Year with some old friends and some new ones. I always find that on the first day of the new year I tend to look back on my accomplishes and shortcomings of the previous year. I made some tremendous strides in the past year...I traveled to Denmark and saw some fabulous art, I took bold steps in learning a new painting medium (encaustics), I freed myself of some old hurtful feelings and opened myself up for new experiences. I said good bye to some old friends and hello to some new ones. Made peace with some family and personal issues and welcomed some new learning experiences. A mentor once told me that things don't happen to you, they happen for you. I find this to be true. It is up to me to look for the learning opportunities in each situation.

The new year brought the passing of yet another family member, my husband's uncle who was 63. After a long illness, he went quietly with family members by his side. It was very sad. But it made me think of my own mortality and what I will leave behind as my legacy. What do I have to offer? What will I be remembered for? The only thing I have is my art and how it will be received and remembered is totally up to me. My task for this new year will be to define that in my own terms and work towards making it happen. Beginning today!

Getting Ready

Booboo's favorite nap time space.

Pets at Christmas

This is Riley, my 4yr. old Westie.

This is Bongo, the new Pup.

Christmas Spirit

I am really struggling with not being able to work. There are so many things that are going on. Family deaths, running errands for family members and out of town guests. Then there are the holidays, right around the corner. I am so excited that guests are in town. We also have a new addition to the family. A little puppy, Bongo, that I will post photos of soon. Much to keep me busy and out of the studio. I am thinking that by Monday I will be able to get back to work. I have a commission I am doing right now and have some matting a framing to do for the gallery. I need to take care of that tomorrow. Plus the Christmas decorations. Still haven't managed to get our tree up either. For many years I also have made this elaborate Christmas village that I am putting up this year and adding some new things to. Art and the Christmas holidays just don't seem to mix. Bring on the New Year!

Can you keep the Muse waiting???

Still no new work...

A death in the family has caused me to change studio time. Today a funeral and tomorrow a trip to San Juan to buy some frames. feeling really restless and am very cranky from not working. Where does the creative energy go when you are not being creative?

I do have a new painting concept in mind and cannot wait to begin work. Am gathering images now and hoping to begin the initial work next week. Ahhh, the joy of spending time in the studio with nothing to think about but my work...