BEST wishes for a prosperous 2010!

 December 4, 2009

 

Winter Arrives Early 12 x 16 Oil 

  Lately, I have been thinking a lot about time and the lack thereof. The end of the year always catches me off guard. About the middle of August, I awaken to thoughts about how this fast track I have put myself on will once again limit my enjoyment of these last beautiful months of the year. I love fall….I look forward to the upcoming holidays beginning with Thanksgiving. The first snowfall blows me away with its beauty and I actually enjoy the shorter days which bring us humbly together by the fire. But every year, fully understanding the toll the duties, traditions, pressures and expectations of the season will take on me, I dive head first into the fray. Days fly by, I promise never to do it this way again, deadlines and desires slip away and suddenly, the New Year arrives. Instead of relaxing with warm hearted memories of the season, I only feel exhausted and relieved. 

 If I chew over this bit of holiday angst I go through each year, I just might find disgust at my inability to stop my participation in the chaos and commercialism….and maybe, just maybe I will find winds of change in this part of my life too. Maybe next year I will just paint all day, sit by the fire and read in the evening, plan simple meals with friends, give more to my favorite charities and fewer presents to my family, make a toast to all my collectors, followers, friends and neighbors, fellow artists and suppliers – WITH THANKS FOR A GOOD YEAR AND HOPE FOR THE NEXT.

 

Wade in the Water 18 x 24 Oil

 Of course, artists aren’t the only ones feeling this way, but I think the artists’ life presents some different dynamics. In case you were wondering, artists simply love to paint – to create on some surface the visions that spring from their very souls. True, we can’t always be painting – sometimes we have other obligations – after all we are all in “business” and that calls for accounting, marketing, purchasing, studying, communicating, traveling etc. And of course, there are always the dishes or grocery shopping to do – you know the drill. As we frequently work from home, we are usually expected to take responsibility for all home related activities from cleaning to calling the plumber. Okay, I’m a woman and automatically take charge of lots of home ‘things’ and John always helps when asked, but still, when I worked away from home, we seemed to share most home responsibilities and I found time to include painting as relaxation each week.  I also know plenty of male artists, who work from home (or from the studio out back) and get caught in ‘honey-do lists’ just because they are available – sort of.

  I’m really not complaining, just ruminating about the facts of artist’s life. This year of change for me continues and my head swims with new thoughts about painting, creating, enjoying, sharing and living. I hope you are as excited as I am about the New Year and what expected and unexpected changes and challenges it will bring to all of us on earth.

 

Mid-Summer Water 14 x 18 Oil

 "Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." (Alexander Graham Bell)

   We are about to depart for two weeks of holiday festivities in England! I won’t be blogging from there for sure, so expect the next one to be posted in 2010! Can you believe we are already a decade into the 21^st century?

   Thanks to you, my blog visitors, for traveling with me as I banter away. Hang out on my web site for a while and return often as I always have new paintings to share. Please sign up for my Email Newsletter which comes out monthly, or so. 

    Thanks for your strong support and interest. Without you, I would loose sight of my goals and failure would greet me around every corner.

 Cheerio!

 Ginger