The Painted Pen

When I think about connecting with my community, my first response is to ask, “What is community?” I’m sure we each have in mind what community means or looks like and each answer might vary a little.   I understand community in two ways. The people I live near and see on a random but not infrequent basis. We live in the same area and pass through the same towns. We shop at the same stores. Our children go to the same school and may have the same teachers. We may or may not interact more personally than that. Our lives touch briefly and that touch may or may not…

In keeping with my theme this month, investing in connection, I have been thinking about the value of connecting with oneself. I spent many years trying to squeeze into a mold that I thought others wanted me to fit. During those years, I learned to silence the person inside who wanted to be unique. In many ways, I think we are all taught to please people, and some of it is necessary and good. But I had let it tell me what to do and hid myself away in the name of proper. Now, much farther along in life (maybe it’s the mid-life thing sneaking up on me), I find…

Recently, on my Instagram account, a discussion commenced about the importance of written communication, specifically in reference to small business owners sending notes to their clients. Thank you notes. Not just any thank you notes … handwritten thank you notes. I know someone who will buy consistently from the same company because of the handwritten thank you they place inside each order. Not the discount, not the quality of the stuff … the personal touch through a quickly scrawled thanks. With our ever-increasing techno world,  ever-increasing options for distraction and disengagement, could it be that our need for connection will also be ever-increasing? What do we do with that? Thank…

As I thought about what to invest in for February, I remembered (yes … I did forget) it’s the month of Valentine’s Day. People celebrate relationships this month. Why not explore something relevant? So … this month, we’ll explore investing in connection. When I started processing what investing in connection looks like, I found myself faced with questions. A lot of questions. The more I thought, the more questions piled up (not entirely unusual for me … I am very good at questions. Not always as good at answers.). What is connection? How do we feel connected? How do we stay connected? How do we invest in connection? When do…

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…