"You make good work by making lots of work that isn't very good and gradually weeding out the parts that aren't good." - "success is not an accident." - Quotes from the book THE ARTISTS QUEST FOR INSPIRATION By Peggy Hadden

Done. Delivered.

This last week I did my annual Spring Delivery of many paintings that I had created over this long, very long, winter.  It feels good to empty my studio and start over fresh for the new season...kind of like what all of us feel or should feel like doing in our homes..aka..spring cleaning!
My first delivery stop was to Edgewood Orchard Galleries where Nell, JR and staff greeted artists all weekend with new work for their 45th season - opening this May...we are all excited to see what their fabulous roster of artists are coming up with for 2013!
                       This painting "Tender" 10x10" was delivered to Edgewood Orchard Galleries

Then home, to rest and re-load with a three gallery trip to downstate Michigan.  My first stop was the beautiful Tvedten Fine Art Gallery in Harbor Springs, Michigan, a quaint town and an awesome gallery - owner Margaret Tvedten is a fabulous artist and has no problem getting excited about her gallery artists work and finding homes for many of the pieces that fill her gallery.
                       This painting "Shooting Stars" 36x30" was delivered to Tvedten Fine Art

We then traveled to Grand Rapids to the wonderful LaFontsee Galleries!  WOW!  is all I can say - they have some amazing artists and the SPACE is to die for!!!!   I was able to supply them with many of my larger pieces as well as a great collection of smaller, more intimate pieces.  Had a wonderful time meeting face-to-face owners Scott & Linda and their wonderful staff!  It's easy to see that art is their passion...and what a great city, too!

On my return home I re-freshed my work at Gallery 50 in Traverse City and enjoyed a wonderful evening in downtown AND walking the sand on the waterfront beach...a beautiful evening with wonderful memories of an artful trip!  
Now let the season roll....

"Desire, ask, believe, receive." - Stella Terrill Mann  quote from book "The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron

Creativity sometimes hits us strong, sometimes we struggle.  Not all days in the studio are 'good days' - I think you can ask any artist that, but just making yourself 'get to the studio' is a good day.  I've been lucky enough to be very dedicated and passionate about my art, seldom is there a day that I am not at work in my studio - yet I never tire of my creative purpose.
I think in order to thrive as artists, we need to let that 'creative flow' continually happen in everything we do.  Those of you who are artists or who have friends that are artists will see this 'creative flow' in many more parts of their life than just their artwork.  Balance, however, is still very important in our lives.  This is hard for me, but I am trying.  I tend to work very hard and need to remind myself to play more.
Creativity can be a 'practice' - just like yoga - you must continue to practice, to learn, to grow.  We must continue to keep moving, willingly to continue in our art practice, never tiring of what our soul was meant to do.
I have a very, very exciting year ahead...I know, I thought last year was exciting too!  I have two receptions this summer at Bell St. Gallery on Madeline Island, WI - June 15 and August 3; am a featured artist at Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County with a reception scheduled for August 31; AND I am also a featured artist in the group show titled "Conceal-Reveal" at LaFontsee Gallery in Grand Rapids, MI which opens this May!  AND am also represented in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Darnell Fine Art!
My friends can joke around with me that I am 'too busy' but it isn't really that I am out searching for these things to come my way, I am lucky enough that they are just falling 'into my lap'-after 20 years of my 'art practice' - so I have to grab them and run with it!!!!
Looking forward to my summer - aren't you?
This painting "Winded Tree" will be delivered next week to Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County for their season which opens in May!