NEW STUDIO (STILL IN PROGRESS)

I guess I'm about halfway there.........but have started doing some painting, because I can't take the unpacking and arranging anymore. The photos don't really give much of a sense of the feeling of spaciousness here, which is mostly due to the high ceilings. I am located in a building which is also the town's only gas station, and the view out my lovely double doors is of the gas pumps, which is a little odd.............but in a rural area like this which is also a major tourist attraction, one is fortunate to find a good studio space, no matter what the setting might be.

I have more unpacking to do, and need to find some suitable storage system for art supplies. I have set a date for my new studio "Open House"--which will be the last Sunday in Feb (the 24th) and by that time, things will be a bit more together here. Don't know what I will have finished of new work (if any) and will probably not be stocked with cards at the rate I'm going, but it will be a celebration of a new beginning for me, and I think that it's important to acknowledge these thresholds, whether one is "prepared" in a business sense or not.

So I raise my glass in a toast to all my artist friends...........may 2008 bless us all with unlimited creativity and the will and energy to make it manifest!

HIBERNATION

This first image pretty much sums up where I'm at right now. I don't want to talk to anyone, don't want to go anywhere, just want to pull the covers up over my head and not be bothered. And the weather has been moving right along with me---cold, rain, high winds, flooding, etc.

I am way behind with my plans for 2008 already, due to the fact that I unexpectedly had to move my studio. So, ever since mid December, when my holiday show madness was slowing down, I was packing and moving. And here I am 6 weeks later, STILL trying to get set up and just beginning to get my toes back into a working mode. (Before this all started, I had visions of having some completed new paintings by this time. ARG) But life sure has a way of throwing you for a loop, so I am just trying to go along, rest up & replenish my art spirit.

The second picture is Joey on one of our favorite paths through the woods. I have been taking my camera along on some walks and trying to capture some nature images that move me for use in future paintings. I am working on a small version of this path on canvas.

Top image: "Hibernation" original gouache on paper in a private collection. Giclee prints available.

PAY IT FORWARD, PART 2

Here is the wonderful little jewel of a painting that I received from Mary Ann in the Pay It Forward event. It was quite the bright spot in my day (week, month!) to get this package in the mail while I am in the midst of a major relocation/recreation of my studio. (Pics and post to come soon!) The painting is oil on canvas and is entitled "Rookery Path". I have not decided where it is going to be hung---in the meantime, it is residing on my altar, with my golden Buddha head, assorted bird feathers and other treasures. You can see a better picture of the painting here.

I hope that everyone is having a positive beginning to 2008. Mine has been a little rough, but is beginning to come together.

So now, I have to get going on MY "Pay it Forward" contributions--and, BY THE WAY........I still only have one person to PIF to--so, if you want to play--let me know! Send me a comment stating that you want to participate!

Daily quote from Abraham-Hicks:

"Be easy about this. Be playful about it. Don't work so hard at it. Let your dominant intent to be to feel good, and if you don't feel good, then let your dominant intent be to feel relief. Feel your way through it. If you think your way through it, you can get off on all kinds of tangents. If you feel your way through it, you can come quickly to your Core Energy, and when you do that only good can then flow to you."