New Year Reflections

Sometimes “traditions” need to be put aside in order to meet and greet what’s ahead in our lives. As our grown children move into new phases with their own children, we’ve found it’s essential to be flexible and try to meet them where they are. At least for our family, it’s not realistic for us to assume that we can all gather on one day, in one house around a big table.  This year, Christmas came several times for us – one on Christmas Eve, with two of our families, after a lovely church service and with a delicious meal of take-out Chinese; another  at a halfway-point restaurant in St. Cloud to enjoy a meal with our family in from Arizona;  and then  on  December 30 with tacos and fixings and the opening of presents at our daughter’s  boyfriend’s home.  And we’ll have one more celebration this weekend with our dear family who just came home after two weeks in the hospital with their oldest daughter. Life is dynamic and we are just so thankful for the joyous times when we can be together.

This week’s painting is back to the sheep – these three came charging around a stone wall and I just had to paint them. “Sheep on the Run” – 9” x 9” on 300 lb. hot prese watercolor paper. I enjoy painting on this “smoother” paper – the paint is absorbed differently and it really encourages a looser  brush style (not my usual MO) and results in softer edges.

Close of 2023

It's officially New Year’s Eve and at this point in the evening, we aren’t making any promises about seeing the new year in tonight. We are recovering from icky colds, so we can actually fall asleep just by sitting in the big recliners! Yet In spite of the losses and sadnesses of this year, we are looking with hope to this new year. God is faithful and we are holding on to His promises for good in our lives. We have been tremendously blessed with good health, loving family and friends, and meaningful work. We are so thankful!

After an odd December of balmy weather – temps in the 40’s and no snow – we had a spot of snow overnight and are anticipating much more in the days to come. January is known for blizzards in northern Wisconsin. It seemed like a good week to use my new tube of American Journey Peacock Blue and be inspired by a couple of Jan Swart (janswartphotography.com) birch trees. Birches in Blue, 10” x 13” on 300 lb. hot press watercolor paper, captures the bright morning light and beautiful aqua-blue reflections of the water and light on birch trees.

Christmas Magic

As we see the close of 2023, it’s been an emotional year with an incredible loss of loved ones and illness. At this time, our oldest grandchild in in the hospital this week struggling with pneumonia and next weekend, we’ll be traveling to Iowa to celebrate the life of one of my cousins, Scott, who we recently lost, with the Hahn/Stull families. It all seems surreal, and I feel like I’m slogging through to Christmas. However, we are people of hope – and any random feelings that I may be having are just that – feelings. We will be attending grandchildren's Christmas concerts this week and hearing the wondrous story once more and singing the favorite joyous songs. We are confident in this hope – that God loves us, is faithful, and has a plan for good for us. So we move forward in this amazing grace.

This week’s painting, Welcoming Committee, 4” x 6” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a favorite scene – a mama ewe and her shy lamb greeting strangers on the path.

A Quick Study

Sometimes a picture immediately inspires me to paint. This week’s painting, Fall Reds, 8” x 10” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, is inspired by a recent photo taken by North Shore photographer Jan Swart. I loved the dark forest shadows in the background balanced against the light of the birch trees and highlighted by the brilliant reds of the maple leaves. This painting was painted fast and loose, and it was such a treat to paint.

Back to the river!

This week’s painting is another in the Litle Series – Gentle Sweep, 4” x 6” captures the relaxed energy of two paddlers enjoying a day out on the water.

November . . . already!

It’s hard to believe that we are already moving full speed into November. And I know this because the Hallmark channel is full of new Christmas movies! Despite their simple triteness, they propel me nicely into this special time of the year. And honestly . . . with daylight ending at 4:59 today, it’s hard to figure out activities for 6 hours of dark before bed! So I’m busy painting with Hallmark movies in the background.

Paul is busy framing and getting ready for our trip to Plum Bottom Gallery later this month. It’s a process  to prepare for the delivery of artwork – in addition to careful framing, each painting needs to have a photo taken (for the website) and then be individually wrapped and packed for the trip. This week’s painting, Lake Air, 8” x 9” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a new day dawning on the big lake.

Painting Liltie

The decision to “paint small” has been such a good one for me. These 4” x 6” liltie series watercolors allow me to capture small scenes and Paul creates wonderful double-matted frames to display these in 8” x 10” frames. This week’s painting Remote Spaces, reflects an unfolding scene of morning light across a primitive campsite.