"We travel because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity.  When we get home, home is still the same.  But something inside our minds has changed, and that changes everything." - Unknown

What fuels you?  What keeps you working day after day, year after year?

For me it is many things but especially traveling!  Recently I returned from the beautiful country on the other side of the world called New Zealand!  All I can say is I didn't have enough time there and need to go back, although I seem to say that wherever I go!  I guess it's how I look at things!
Spending most of my time painting, hiking, horseback riding, wining, wandering and exploring fills my mind and soul with images, thoughts and inspiration for future paintings because YES, I always come home to my sweet little studio in the US!
My time in New Zealand was spent on the North Island in and around the city of Auckland.  Within a short drive of the city I could be on either side of the coast which varied no matter which direction you would take!  Just like life, it varies!  As we drove north to go horseback riding we discovered beautiful dunes and white sand beaches, beautiful like in Michigan.  As we drove west we discovered steep cliffs through the mountains jetting over the ocean.  It was here where these black sand beaches were famous for surfers from all over the world!  Then of course the hiking in the woods, somewhat tropical, was just breathtaking as well!  And who could resist a short ferry ride to Waikeke Island - home to some of New Zealands most beautiful wineries!!!
No matter where my travels take me, I am excited to come home and ponder the images and thoughts racing through my mind.  Eventually these images settle and I can create for a long time on the memories from my travels.
Where will my travels take me next?  Well,  now I am 'slightly grounded' and staying put in my studio.  I'm finishing up commissions and working on some new paintings to send off to my galleries this Spring.  THEN!...I will be starting to paint a whole new body of work for a solo show that I have coming up the end of this summer!
It's going to be a great year - and if you don't see me around, it's because I'm locked up painting!  And THANK YOU to all my friends and gallery owners that keep telling me that YOU CAN DO IT, even when I am not so sure!
Namaste-
Ginnie
This painting, "stillness" reminds me of the black sand beaches in New Zealand!