"No Winter lasts forever; No Spring skips its turn." - Hal Borland

Seems our winter is changing to Spring and with spring comes mud, browns, dirt. However, I know this will be short lived and I soon will be able to get into the gardens to see new shoots/blooms appearing. In fact, today I just cut some forsythia branches from my shrub in the garden and brought them in to 'force' Spring and color upon myself. They soon shall be a brilliant yellow color - a color I seldom use in my paintings - what's up with that, hmmm.

Had a wonderful visitor in today - he was actually looking for my husband (he's a farm/feed guy) who happens to love art, contemporary furniture and good music. It was a joy to visit with him as these lonely weeks in the studio in the country are wearing on me. So thank you for stopping by today.

So, my thoughts are turning from Winter to Spring; from Spring to Summer as I am taking time out to look at my schedule for upcoming gallery shows as well as 'drop off dates' for dropping off work at different galleries. It is hard for me to pull myself away from painting to do 'organization/book' work.

So far this year I have a group show (I'll be showing my older works - mixed media) at the CVA in Wausau featuring artists who use recycled/reuse items in their art. Also in the scheduling works is a 2-person show at Bindley Collections in Middleton this fall, as well as some other juried shows that I plan to enter. Then I also am getting together a great selection of new pieces to take to Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County for the opening of their season. Also, need to get more larger pieces to Tvedten Fine Art in Harbor Springs. Oh, and I can't forget the solo show of my new works at Wild Apple Gallery in Menasha in May! That show will feature 15-20 pieces of my new abstracted landscapes based on visions of landscapes from Wisconsin (where I grew up). See what I mean, lots to keep track of-but pure joy!

Every day is a gift! Although there is a lot of turmoil in the world, I truly believe that every day is a gift and life is good for so many of us! Sometimes we seem to take that for granted. We often forget how lucky we are to live where we live, do what we do and be surrounded by such wonderful people. I have met and made so many friends through my artwork/studio - I feel very blessed.
Just this morning a friend stopped by (a friend who I met through my studio) with an assortment of loose teas - not any loose teas - but wonderful aromatic natural blends, even pink rosebuds to add to the roibos blend. I am so enjoying this variety and can't wait to try the others. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that mean so much.
Making art is a gift - a very special gift to me. What would life be like without it, I'm afraid to answer that question. Art enhances and enriches lives, not only the artists but the viewers as well. Art is hard-earned work and sometimes the joy of the process is its only reward - and that's o.k. because the process truly is what brings happiness to the artists. Art is a private joy that you receive-no matter what is happening around you. And when I say "art" I am also talking about performing artists, writers, singers/songwriters etc.
So, I continue to make art, everyday, for the pure joy of it and am thankful for all the 'gifts' I've been given in life.

As I look back on the body of work created the past few months, I have noticed a slight 'shift' in my work - very slight - in the way that my color palette has seemed to brighten a little - to brighter oranges, pinks, greens, turquoise and has also become a little more graphic/expresioned lines.
It's this little voice inside of you that you just can't stop sometimes. It seems to have a creative mind of its own and does what it wants. That's o.k. with me - I just follow my own little heart and what happens - happens!