"Being an artist is like breathing.  It's this incredible urge to create, that you can't question.  Like breathing you just have to do it, or else you will die." - Marina Abramovic

I LOVE blogs, especially artist blogs, reading thoughts, feelings and experiences that other artists experience seems to re-energize me and make me get back into that studio.  Today I checked out one of my favorite blogs 'textures, shapes, colors' and found this wonderful quote, and if you are an artist, a true artist, you will really understand these thoughts.
Painting chooses us, we don't choose it...I think I heard that one somewhere too, but in all reality, when we are dedicated to our art practice and career, we find nothing more fulfilling than to actually be in the studio working.
My work has 'shifted' and 'taken different paths' over the past span of 20+ years of my art career.  None of which I would have changed because I think they were all very important in the 'journey' and to get me to the ultimate artistic path that I am on now.  My work now is very calming to me, very serene yet colorful, very peaceful and it is all of these aspects of my work that I feel so comfortable with.  It took me a long time to get there!
Take a look at your path, follow your passion, live your dream, and never regret a single step of the journey - it was all meant to be!
                                                     "Shoreline" - a series

"I was reminded...how good change is for us.  How it picks us up by the ankles and shakes us just a little to let us know we are indeed ALIVE." - Dreama Tolle Perry

Happy New Year!  With gratitude to each of you that make a big difference in my life!  I love to read the rambling thoughts of artist Dreama Tolle Perry, they are always uplifting and today, the start of a NEW YEAR, I stumbled across these thoughts on change.  Many of us, myself included, are afraid of change, and afraid to admit that we are afraid of change, it takes courage!  We need to remember that we grow from change, just like the earth changes through its seasons bringing joyful seasonal patterns that we love, or at least make the best of!

As I reflect on all the wonderful things that happened this year (there were some horrible, too, but it's a new year and I am letting go of those thoughts....really, I swear I am) I am overwhelmed with all the support from friends, family  and collectors and galleries that represent me.  Life is good, I am blessed AND your life is good, and you are blessed too!

I don't really make New Years resolutions, per se, but I do like to reflect on some thoughts, challenges, inspirations that are coming my way in 2015.  I invite you to do the same, sometimes having these in 'writing' helps us to focus a bit more on what we originally dreamed of one day.

As I close my gallery here in Stephenson and CHANGE to a new gallery location in Door County, I am anticipating a great year filled with challenges and new adventures...I'm always up for a new adventure...wish me luck!

THOUGHTS FOR 2015

• meditate daily
• mantra! daily
• yoga-daily home practice plus group practice
• enjoy...everything about Door Co and my new gallery
• plan for big grand opening celebration at new gallery (CAPPAERT CONTEMPORARY gallery)
• write more
• read more
• enjoy painting
• grow in my art
• challenge my art practice
• walk daily
• take time to appreciate nature everyday!
• start a 'gratitude' jar
• put 2014 old journal/thoughts away
• start a 'positive' 2015 NEW journal
• let go
• breathe
• live in the moment...