How far to Canada?

It seems a tumultuous and grievous time to be an American. Decisions about the quality of life for all individuals are being made on the national level that totally wound my spirit. I’m trying to quiet my inner rants and listen carefully for the voice of God in my life, but somedays, this is really difficult. It seems justified to just take things into my own hands … but what can I do to make a difference? And I realize, once more, that I have no ability to change anything but what I touch every day. My life and actions are humbled to this: being kind to my beloved, sitting on the floor to love up my dogs and cats, and doing my best to show love and take care of those around me. That’s my full-time job these days – along with my times to paint. There are days when I’m deep into a painting and I hear nothing around me – often to Paul’s dismay as he’s trying to tell me something important. And I surface again when the paper is saturated and the painting is done to greet his surprised expression of: “Didn’t you hear me at all?” The creative process is such an incredible mystery, and I feel tremendously blessed to have time to experience this journey!  

Watercolors: East and West

July 8-10, 2022

Studio 210-Arts In Hand Gallery, Spooner, WI

I’m preparing for this upcoming exhibit at the Arts In Hand Gallery in Spooner. It’s an exciting opportunity and I’ll be displaying my watercolors with Gail Threinen’s Chinese Brush paintings. And it marks a celebration of the brand new studio/workspace, Studio 210, on the 2^nd level of the gallery in downtown Spooner. Open: Friday, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Gail and I will be demonstrating our art throughout the weekend. Plan now to stop by!

This week’s paintings are two in the Liltie Series: Whispering Waves and Sunset Shadows are both 4” x 6” paintings on 300 lb. watercolor paper. 

By and Large

We’re enjoying such lovely weather this June. It’s been a busy time of digging up and planting gardens but this past week, we celebrated a grandson’s home run at his ballgame and enjoyed a couple of days celebrating a Shakespeare Festival at the end-of-the-school-year for three other grandsons! We feel so blessed to live fairly close to several of our families and can take in some of the kidsie’s activities. And we’re near to stop in and help my Mom, too.

After the cold nights of May, the gardens are growing like crazy! We had a lovely display of daffodils, crocuses and muscari in our front meadow area and now we’re on to the big purple alliums (such fun!) and the irises are about ready to bloom.  

This week’s painting, By and Large, refers to a sailing term – “by” means into the wind, while “large” means with the wind. “By and large” is used to indicate that the sailboat handles well, both by and large, in all possible situations. This 8” x 11” watercolor painting captures two By and Large sailing vessels ready to take on the challenge of the open sea.