Lost and Found

I am in the process of trying to find my art muse again. It has been lost for some time now. I still can appreciate art but have not been able to find the desire to produce until last week. I am happy it is here now and am going to try to keep it going.

I never understand why it comes and goes. Part of it is a lack of nurture I guess. Anyone have any suggestions?

It's In the Details

JANUARY 2010

*new year
*new start
*new art
*new honesty
*new resolve

Don Sanderson and David Wilson....you will both be missed. I am lucky to have had you both in my lives, my father and my dear friend.

Fall Musings

Golly....I think St. Louis has been deluged enough over the last month. We've had few days without rain and have seen blue sky rarely. What else is new? Well during the rainy time I did manage to find my desk in the studio and have kept it about 80% clean. I also was lucky enough to have Charla in from Boston for a bit so we were able to have some fun when she wasn't busy working to clean out a house. I had a spider bite that went toxic and within two days my car was totalled (and then totalled reversed) on a poor young deer when my husband was picking me up from a concert because I couldn't walk. Nice run-on sentence from the former English teacher. On a positive note, the husband was able to walk away and I have a new Highlander because of it. Artwise I finally delved into some repousse after having the supplies for two years. Teresa Holt, a longtime friend and incredible artist challenged us to do some metal atcs for the month after demoing it up close and personal. Well, I had a great time doing them and have all sorts of ideas in my head for more. ENJOY ...................................most of the rest of them are on my website

Beginnings and Endings

A heavy post written with a heavy heart. I am blessed to have a core group of people in my life that I love and would do anything for. My life is richer because of these people. I learn daily how to be a better person and thank God every day for teaching me through them. I understand why they have been brought to me. What I don't understand is why those that focus on the negative and tearing people/places down must also be a part of my life? I guess I am supposed to learn from them, too, but these lessons are oh so painful. For me, nothing can hurt worse than the betrayal by someone I considered a friend. It hasn't happened often in my adult life so this took me by surprise. I hope the pain and anguish that is inside subsides for her so she can get on with her life. I will get on with mine. The artwork for today is aptly titled "Life's Beginnings". Happenstance.........

The Perfect Risk

Watching the beginnings of another artist's journey is an intense experience for me. Musicians have always been close to my heart. I have followed my nephew, Jon's, exploration for years and found each phase really interesting. I have admiration for the creativity involved in not only writing the stories in the music but the music itself. What a process it must be. I also have admiration for the songwriter whose lyrics let you see exactly who he/she is in the story. That honesty and vulnerability is at the core of all art. It's simplicity is compelling and the purity of the emotion takes your breath away. I heard a new song by a dear family friend, Eric Sommerhof, last night. Eric spent the last year + with Sammi and his song, The Perfect Risk, will draw you in and make you remember who we should be. Enjoy...........

K A R M A

It has been a jampacked couple of months since I posted anything new. Stampaway was a blast as usual. I had so many wonderful people in my classes and had fun mingling with old and new friends. I couldn't have asked for better weather or company. I stopped back into St. Louis for four days and then left on a 10 trip to the Outer Banks with Jim and Sammi. We met up with my sister and family for a wonderful time. Our house was a former model so it was definitely HGTV perfection. The beach was wonderful and the ocean was peaceful until Bill the Hurricane showed up. But still it was a great trip. School preparation, some teenage drama, and a death in the family of a dear friend dominated the next week before school and then it happened....I have a junior in high school now. Actually one who sometimes thinks she is wise beyond her years. It has been a roller coaster at times. So school is now in session and I am trying to find my studio once again. It looks like a cyclone blew through it. Enjoy this little ATC and I'll try to be back soon.

Diffusion

I have a teenager. Today a driving one with lots of evolving ideas, wants and needs. I feel like I am spending an inordinate amount of time diffusing that teen angst while trying to accept her and foster her growing independence. That's my story and I am sticking to it.