Clearly there are easier ways to make a living, as I have been reminded on a daily basis.  But as I explained today to a new friend, sometimes the creativity chooses us, we do not choose it.  Would I rather be the wealthy creator of some widget or concept easily exchanged for piles of cash?  Some days quite frankly, yes I would.  But those days are usually followed up with a reminder that I am blessed in so many other ways.  For example, no one is pushing a personal agenda on me while I am painting.  No one tells me how to hold the brush, what colors to choose or that my emotions splashed on the canvas are not valid.  There is no competition based on my last name, birthright, or color of my skin.  There is only me and the canvas having a two way conversation, and both are open to the exercise, bending equally to the other's intention.

I am lucky that I have a diverse background and talents, and I am grateful for that every day.  The fact that I have choices in life that are virtually unlimited makes me excited to get out of bed every day. 
I am thankful for flexibility and fluidity and hope that gratitude comes across in my work.

Namaste

The past 5 years have been very interesting to say the least.  Having left a solid corporate position, I forged ahead into the art and design world.  The work was amazing and I was inspired, but another bump in the road caused the need for stability in my life, and so another corporate job followed.  During the nose to the grindstone years that followed, I always felt like vacations were for the wealthy, and that I had to save, save, save in case of emergency. 

The problem with that philosophy is that not taking time off and getting a change of scenery every so often can suck your soul dry!  And a dry soul is certainly an emergency!  I missed the ocean, the mountains, the fall leaves back east, the smell off rain rolling in, lilacs, freshly mowed lawns and crunchytumbleweeds all have a special place in my heart, and it is my job to visit them all across the country every once in awhile.  Now I translate the emotions into my art.

You can't live, really LIVE your life with your head down all the time.  So take a deep breath, gas up the car, book the ticket or jump on the boat and go explore.  We have so much to offer in this country so don't miss an opportunity to be inspired.  Remember, it's okay to exhale!

Namaste!

Most of my life I have been a natural night owl.  My creative energy seems to happen in the evenings, about 7:00 p.m. and run well into the wee hours.  Many artists and creative personalities I know have the same nocturnal tendencies, and it makes it challenging to get the artistic workout completed while maintaining some semblence of normalcy and routine in daily life.   I set my alarm clock with every intention of rising early to get more accomplished that day, but inevitably my body reminds me that I went to bed at 2:00 a.m. and it still wants a solid 8 hours of sleep.  And so my hand slams on the snooze button until finally reality sets in and I stumble out of bed and to the coffee pot, another day, another ride on the rollercoaster.  I cannot fight my night owl tendencies, just pour another cuppa joe and say "weeeeee!"