Where do I go from here? 

It is many any years since I've even thought about painting, let alone this blog -even more years since posting here. Caring for my dear husband, Steve became all consuming. He supported me and my endeavors, in so many ways, since our beginning in 1998. I will be forever grateful for his love, generosity, humor and steadfastness. April of 2023 he transitioned to the other side and is off on his own adventures once again. This says it all: The Other Side by Don Conoscenti. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pl0HWxNWvg

A few weeks ago, I went into the studio with the intention of considering what to do. 

Could I still paint? Have I learned a bit about values an chroma? Could I still find my initial intention of making work that brought beauty, serenity and calmness into the paintings and perhaps share that with others seeking that in their chaotic lives?

I don't know yet. 

Much dust and chaos reigns in my space - just as I left it during a health crisis for Steve and never went in again. Many tubes of paint have dried up - all of my Munsell tubes of mixes completely dried up, a few brushes ruined. Lots of panels started and not finished. So much dust and cat hair that I want to weep. Cleaning and weaning the ruined and unnecessary is helpful. Watching and listening to other painters and gaining inspiration from their journeys is helping as well. Even some of the greats like Christopher Remmers, Andrew Tischler, Graydon Parrish, Julie Beck, and others, as well as some of my friends, Paul Foxton, Sadie Valeri and many others, are inspiring me to begin again. Maybe it will be like riding a bike, or maybe not. 

My urge to create is steadily growing stronger and when the studio is where it needs to be, perhaps I'll receive a new idea, energy and way of being from the Source of Creativity.