The Christmas season ended several weeks ago. (Never mind that our tree is still lit, standing, and green. Corkbark evergreen trees are amazing.) For some, the time after Christmas is quiet, dull, and depressing. The high of the anticipation, family, and all around festivities comes crashing down in the midst of winter’s darkness and chill. Other people are relieved when Christmas passes. They’re ready to jump into the new year with fresh starts, new promises and exciting goals. During the course of a year, countless seasons come and go, ranging far beyond temperature and day length. Some seasons are joyous; others are empty. In my busyness, I can forget to…

This week, I’m investing in color balance. I like to chase a little contrast and add a bit of creativity to the job. I love the boldness of contrast: dark with light, black with white, good alongside bad, campfires at night, smooth ice cream with crunchy chocolate coating … Lately, my balancing act takes place on watercolor paper, mixing paints. All color starts with three colors: red, yellow, and blue. I’ve been taught about primary colors since I was a child, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually tested the theory. This month, I’m taking part in a color study, and we are doing just that. We are working with…

I have spent the last week processing and refining some thoughts on what I want this blog to give to those who are interested in reading. I’d like this blog to encourage you to… Practice creativity … whatever that means for you. For me, it comes out in things artsy and in writing. Though I love music, too, and often have some Kenny G playing in the background while I draw, letter, or paint. For you … maybe you exercise or garden or bake or knit or sing or build or take care of bees. I know that when I allow myself room to experiment creatively, I thrive in a…

Another year started. Wow. 2018. The number feels big to me, but it’s here anyway. Some people make resolutions at the start of the year. I prefer to live resolutions everyday. To seek to know a better me, be a better me, understand others more and connect better with them, to quit something that harms me (except coffee … one addiction is forgivable, right? It grows on a tree … I’ve heard that makes it salad really.) and try something new whenever I want to instead of just at the start of the year. Still … the new year brings a feeling of change, much like spring. It brings a…