Moon Shadow

Moon Shadow

18x24

Pastel

Ah, my favorite part of the holiday season is now - between Christmas and New Years Day. The twinkling lights are still up and there is a feeling of hushed contentment. It's time to reflect and make plans for the coming year.

As part of my nostalgic mood, I'm showing this pastel that I did about nine years ago. This has been a nostalgic Christmas. My brother took out some slides that my parents took of us when we were young children and we viewed them on Christmas Eve. It's a bittersweet time of year for most of us. We can't help but miss all of those who are now gone.

But it's also a time to be grateful and look ahead with faith and hope. I hope you all have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Countdown

This is going to be a busy week. Last minute gifts to wrap, baking more cookies, it goes on and on. There is so much to do, yet so much to be grateful for. Years ago, I was more of a perfectionist around the holidays. I wanted everything to be just so, probably because we had young children and I wanted all their wishes to come true. What they ended up with was a mother who was stressed out at times.

Then I read a wise quote in a book. I don't remember which book or who the author was, but the advice stuck with me all these years. It was - the best gift you can give your loved ones for the holidays is a cheerful attitude. Now there's more time for the little things and more time for talking and laughter. I've also set aside some time for painting (makes me happy).

I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year!

Solitary Path

Solitary Path

12x9

Oil on Canvas Panel

Sold

Today is painting day - promise! I put everything back in my studio. For the past two weeks, it's been Christmas cards, shopping, going to family get-togethers, tree trimming and house decorating. I forget what else. Oh yeah, and managing my eBay. I put some paintings up for 3 day auction for last minute shoppers. If anyone is interested, you might want to click here.

Ideas have been carefully percolating and now I'm itching to paint. Even if I just do underpaintings. Being away from my paints has been a withdrawal type of experience. So instead of just talking about it, I'm headed to the studio. Right now.

Looking for Inspiration

This fiery sky photo was taken last year when my husband and I attended an outdoor wedding in Galena, Illinois. The sky was truly inspiring that evening, as if it was giving a wink and nod to the bride and groom.

I'm in "inspiration gathering" mode myself. I know once I start to get inspired, it's as if the floodgates open and it comes in fast and furious. All I need to do is catch it. I'm also looking through some of my favorite books for inspiration. This is one of my very favorite quotes:

I open the door. The gorgeous guest

from afar sweeps in. In her hands are

her gifts - the gifts of hours and far-seeing

moments, the gift of mornings and evenings,

the gift of spring and summer, the gift

of autumn and winter. She must have searched

the heavens for boons so rare.

- Abbie Graham

Confessions of an Empty Studio

I have a confession to make. It's been five days since Thanksgiving and I still haven't re-assembled my studio. On Thanksgiving Day this small room had two card tables and six chairs in it, complete with brocade tablecloths, china and candles. It was the "second dining area" for my guests, since our main dining area can only hold ten people around it. There were also four more guests in the living room sitting around our huge coffee table.

I plan to put it all back today, but I'm thinking......maybe I needed a break. Time to breathe in new inspiration. So in the meantime, I'll surf around and get inspired by everyone else's paintings and creative works. That's why I'm so thankful to have all my blogger friends!