For the last few months I have had that tug at my
heartstrings, a knowing that I need time for introspection. I can feel in my belly that change is waiting for me to be brave, step outside my comfort zone and embrace growth. Honestly this brings about two very conflicting emotions, excitement and fear, and as I write this I understand they are not so conflicting they often go hand in hand. I tend on the side of safety and that can be very inhibiting. So as this new year begins so too does a new journey of living a life of discovery.
The snow storm from last week left a beautiful blanket of snow covering our fields and woods and I have been taking full advantage to explore our land on my cross country skis. Skiing is my favorite sport and being 3 hours away from my favorite ski area, Mad River Glen, I take advantage of the lovely trails that Brian has created on our property. My cat Abby only braves the cold occasionally, and the first few times she saw me on my skis she was a super scaredy cat, today she found the courage to venture through the snow to check out what I was doing.
After a few minutes she is ready to head to her warm sunny spot on our porch and I, with my camera, am ready to seek some nature inspiration.
The first treasure I same across was this precious nest. I do miss my songbirds that have flown south and I look forward to their return in the spring.
The bright red berries quickly catch my against the silvery blue snow.
When seeking inspriation it is always to look for a variety of perspectives.
Sometimes behind you might just find one of your most loving and loyal companions.
From the shadows emerge the beauty of sparkle and light.
Returning to the warmth of my woodstove I pull out the treasures I have collected
And while the inpiration moves me I capture the moment in my sketch book. Simple line drawings that will eventually find their way into my paintings.
Sharing my process in hopes that others will find their path to a life of creative inspiration is so much about who I am and what I wish to accomplish with my artwork. I am working with discovery in hopes that it will enable me to bring to life the beauty I wish to see in the world. Thank you for joining me on this journey of living with your eyes open, heart trusting, soulful feeling, and joy growing.
This is our driveway, it's pretty long and ends at the road just past our little yellow barn. There is no making it out of here until it gets plowed. One of the benefits of being an artist is the flexibility of my schedule. My classes are not until the late afternoons so when school is delayed there is no rush for me to get out of here. It really is quite cozy and beautiful.
Still I have work to do, ideas that need processing, and lots of other non art making tasks that go along with the business of being an artist. Today I am going to recycle some of Katie's old school projects (nope I'm not attached and feeling that I have to save her things for her, she hates clutter and tends to throw everything that she is not in love with into the trash.) I'm going turn these watercolor illustrations of a poem she wrote into some of my own original collage art papers.
First gesso, then I'll work in some old acrylics that have just been sitting on the shelf. This year I am trying to do a little clearing of my supplies. I have so many things just sitting around that I am making a conscious effort to give up my weekly trips to the art store just to use my 40% coupons at Michaels.
Here are the first layer of background colors, they are drying around the floor grate that vents our wood stove heat from the basement. Little Tessa just sits there watching me bring more and more papers to dry.
Now to add some simple patterns and details.
Ta da... a few hours later and I have a whole color coordinating set of my own papers ready to be cut up and used in my artwork.
The sun is out now, time to get dressed, shovel and head into my real studio. Have a great day!
I'm really excited for him to be travelling on such an adventure. With Brian's love for nature and being out in the wild undeveloped land, New Zealand should be the perfect solo trip. I love nature, but know my limits and backpacking isn't for me. Even though I'll miss him I am all for him taking this trip to ground his spirit and relax after giving up his law practice. Two months seems like a long time in the moment and I been trying to focus on our time together with out projecting how I'll handle having him on the other side of the globe. I'm sure there will be times where I feel a bit empty and alone. 
I believe that the bond I share with Katie will grow having these next two months with plenty of mom and daughter time. I believe that with the help of my friends I can handle any situation that may arise and that laughter and good times will be plentiful. I believe that the joy I have from creating my artwork and teaching my art classes fills my spirit with gratitude for all the blessings of life. I believe that 2 months is really just a blink in time and allowing Brian to follow his dreams will strengthen our love. I believe by spreading our wings, following our hearts, and finding the courage to fly is the only way to live life!
