Counting down to....Happy New Year!

It's true, my pen (i.e. keyboard/blog) has been idle this month, but I'm happy to say that my paint brushes have been quite busy. (sneak peeks to come in 2015!) It is never my intention to blog you sweet readers to death and I've been able to achieve my initial goal to blog at least twice a month with a balance of amusement, info, and inspiration. I do love your comments so keep them coming...and if you haven't learned how to send a comment then make it one of your New Year resolutions for my sake, please!


Speaking of New Years resolutions, I sat down yesterday and made a few of my own. My best teachers exhort to set strong artistic goals if you want to become a truly good artist and let me tell you, their goals gave me a few more gray hairs just hearing them. The goals I've set for myself this next year are definitely going to push me hard to apply the things I've learned in the last two years. It's so easy to accumulate knowledge and never assimilate it into real practice.  Assimilation is pure discipline...to take the time and mental effort of thought and intention before sailing off into the land of creative flow.


Goodness gracious! So many "fifty cent words" right there!!


Fortunately, the stuff I need to assimilate comes in one syllable words for the most part: *slow down   *big shapes   *start thin   *squint more


I'll leave you (and 2014) with the first habit I want to make my own: "Start like a Snail"  It's so fun to jump on a new, blank canvas and see what happens...but in order to apply all the truths that go into good art, a slow and thoughtful beginning paves the way for a delightful and often, wildly fast finish.


HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!!