Everyone needs a little time to play.

I tend to be a somewhat dedicated, serious person. Working hard, not allowing myself to play as much as I think I really should. There always seems to be things to do, deadlines to meet and so on.

As an artist, though, I do truly believe that taking 'time to play' is mandatory and makes for a better artist and person. I have been working hard to get some new pieces painted for my solo show "ABSTRACTED LANDSCAPES" which opens this weekend. The reception is set for Saturday, October 1 from 1-3 pm and I will be there to meet and greet everyone. Where is it? Bindley Collections Gallery in Middleton, Wisconsin.

So, to take a break and honor myself for all the hard work I have been putting into this show, two of my favorite friends are joining me for the weekend and we will be having a wonderful dinner in downtown Madison and will then, of course, hit the farmers market on Saturday morning!

play and work. perfect.

"And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more." - Erica Jong

As an artist, RISK, is a big word. We risk ruining a good painting by every brush stroke that we add. We risk our self by every painting that we 'put out there'. We risk rejection and humiliation - YET WE STILL KEEP TAKING RISKS. I think art is in the 'artists blood' and nothing else can bring satisfaction.
My husband is a dairy farmer - and he, too, knows all about RISK, yet he continues to do what he loves to do as well.
So, as I enter juried shows, some I get in and some I don't, I continue to expose my artwork to a different, wider audience and that is a good thing. This weekend marks the opening of the Annual Juried Show at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan in which I have 2 pieces accepted. Always a wonderful show in a beautiful gallery space.
I believe it is this 'drive' that keeps me in the studio, a combination of outcomes that I love, with hard work ethics and just a plain passion for what I do. Enjoy!

I am winding down the Labor Day Weekend Open House at my studio/gallery and had a wonderful turnout with a lot of art talk with my visitors. Thanks to all who continue to make my passion a 'happenin'thing'!
Today as I ponder the end of summer, and thoughts of quiet school days that will soon surround me, I try to reflect on some positive thoughts about how to make life better. Many of these I would like to say that I already do, some I will work on, we all need a little more peace in our lives.
1. Practice gratitude
2. Be kind
3. Be generous
4. Live in the present
5. Try something new
6. Eat well & be well
7. Exercise
8. Read
- these suggestions were taken off a facebook post - sorry I don't know the credits.
May you all enjoy the beautiful fall season which is soon to be upon us.