This is my first blog entry in two months. I’ve spent some time updating my site and adding more detail about shows I’m in and have been juried into. And, my studio has officially moved to the Mitten State!
We moved to northern Michigan, Traverse City to be exact, and I am still unpacking boxes between chores and work tasks. We left a good deal of things in Maryland, at our big modern farmhouse, losing 1500+ sf of space when we headed north. About 600sf of that space was my studio/office.
Change inherently hurts but almost always ushers in newness, whether it is a new space, new friends, new adventures, or an overdue new attitude.
Our family had out first white Christmas here a couple weeks ago, and for our 20th anniversary, my fella and I went hiking in the deep snow on our nearby property where he hunts whitetail and birds. When we arrived back at home, our four children had prepared a beautiful dinner and dessert to help us celebrate. I’m not a weeper but I got choked up at what they had on our dining room table, plated on our wedding china (that never gets used). Our eleven year old son even made a chocolate cake! It was delicious!!! The eight-year old set the table complete with formal candlesticks, the fourteen year old seared the steak, and the seventeen year old made homemade cheddar biscuits. It think it was the most memorable meal of my life. A great reminder of my blessings and that although 2020 gets a bad wrap, there is always joy to be had and I got it in spades!
I’m too embarrassed to show you my studio yet. It’s small and dark and not ready to use, but I am blessed to have it. It’s about 20% the size of my former home studio, and there isn’t room to paint big yet, so I’m working on small pieces this week, primarily on paper and canvas.
There is snow covering all surfaces outside my window and a pile of dogs on my area rug. Not to mention, there is in-person school up here and Michigan is so affordable compared to east coast prices. We have all four kiddos in private school and they are able to do things that Baltimore County Public Schools would never allow. For instance, our junior’s chemistry class got to light their hands on fire yesterday, and our third grader has two recess periods, both outside in the snow each day.
On New Years'‘s Eve, we went snow tubing then ate (the best!!!!) pizza outside, under lights at the ski hill in 25 degree weather. Next month, we’re going skiing. $140 for all six people including a lesson, rentals, and ski lift ticket! And best of all, we are spending more time together, unplugged. God has been good to us in 2020.
So, I don’t have much to show you today, but do want to share a little something I started on canvas paper yesterday just to grease the old engine. 3/4 of my good paints were murdered in the move and many of my supplies are still in boxes. But, I had an idea for a little cactus painting for my daughter who is infatuated with cacti.
When finished, the piece may or may not be named, “Buttes and Pricks”. Heehee.
