"I will write PEACE on your wings and you will fly all over the world." - Sadako Sasaki

Peace.  Gratitude.  Holidays.

The Holiday Season always 'shifts' my studio time a bit.  I certainly am enjoying the six months of a slower pace in the Door County Gallery Season, but maneuvering my energies into studio time and holiday time can be challenging.  I just had lunch with a couple of my favorite artist friends and we discussed that in depth today.  How we divide our studio time with holiday and family time.  Margaret pretty much sums it up in her calm, laid back way of thinking by just accepting and acknowledging that it is the holiday time and that is how it is.

Acceptance.

That is what I will work on.  Meanwhile, enjoying some get togethers with friends and family and setting aside the intense studio focus for a little fun is what is on my plate for the next few weeks.  I hope you all enjoy your Holidays and remember to hold the gift of gratitude close.  Cheers!

"Oryoki" which roughly means, "that which contains just enough" from the book 'The Zen of Creativity' by John David Loori

I am settling into my winter studio routine and I'm feeling a sense of comfort, of familiarity and a pattern to my days.  My painting time needs a sense of calm and quiet, like the winter season brings.  Here in the north we already have a soft blanket of snow covering our landscape, and a sunny day here and there filtered with mostly grey skies.  All of these reflect light in different ways.  The shortened days make us turn inward to reading, writing and painting but 'oryoki' reminds us that contains just enough for us at this moment.
This winter I am trying to balance some challenging days in the studio with some 'outbursts' of wow happenings!  I have learned over the years that just being in the studio is what is important, the bad and the good all blend together eventually.
Enjoy these beautiful winter days and find balance in your moments!
Birch Installation was a 10 piece installation purchased by Aquity Insurance.
Oil/cold wax/dry pigments on wood panel.  2018