the awakening

Hello peeps of the world...

Finally, the snow here is beginning to melt

and i feel an energy within

that i haven't felt in months.

So YAY!

I never found winters difficult
but I must say this one was a little heavy.
I haven't felt like myself in a while
for several reasons - 
let's just say the weather and the job
are 2 of those reasons.
So i'm quite happy to see
that little river of water on the road.

Other than the weather improving,
what's even MORE exciting
is that my 9 to 5 contract ends on May 12th,
so I get to be myself again
and find a way to express this 
compressed creativity
i feel inside.

To all the artists out there
who have full time jobs that are not so creative,
i'm sure you understand.
Working full time
means far less energy for the fun stuff.
It means more frustration.

It means our minds are preoccupied
with something other than art 
for at least 8 hours a day,
and although the idea of making art
after a day at work sounds wonderful...
my mind (and more importantly, my heart!)
are not always in the right place.
I am often just too tired.
But making art to me (and to you?)
is as important as breathing,
so it's not like we can just say,
"oh well. We'll do it in 6 months"...

But as you can see in the above painting -
mama bear is beginning to awaken.

So i'm surrounding myself

with inspiring books and words

and i'm spending as much time

outside as I can.

Being in nature always makes me feel better.

Here are two of the books

I keep near my table

for little snippets of inspiration.

These little books may be small in size,

but don't let that fool you.

So much to offer...

I painted this a few weeks ago

but didn't feel brave enough to share it.

I'm feeling brave enough now. 

...and I can't wait to give this book

the time it deserves.

I've always loved handwritten letters,

and letters written from artists - well,

what's not to love?

The lips of Frida Kahlo.

These books are such gems

because not only is the reader part of the intimacy,

but I feel like we learn so much

about the person writing the letter

and there is always so much to learn

about one another, don't you think?

And it's always so reassuring to me

that I'm not crazy

and that someone in 1875 felt 

exactly the same way I did

about art and life.

Or maybe we're just both crazy?

Either way, I'm not alone.

giggle...

Love this.
I just do.
Hugs to all of you.
Especially those of you who really need it.
xx