Hi Reader, Have you noticed I'm trying some new things lately? I've been taking a course called Creator College, and it's got my creative juices flowing! One thing I'm learning is to share more than just my paintings. I want to share some of the happiness and hope behind them, too. And that got me thinking. What if something you see every day could lift your spirits? A color, a painting, a photograph, or even a simple image can remind us of something good when life feels overwhelming. I call...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, So many art shows to apply to, and each with an application fee. Should I take the risk? I've been pouring my heart and soul into my art business for six years now. No sales at the two shows last weekend. . . What are the chances of getting accepted? I took the risk and submitted two paintings. Waited and wondered. I finally got the news: I'm in! I'm in the 32% of applicants that got in! It's a little encouragement along the way. I no my change is going to come! Corduroy, 21 x 11"...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I was invited to a Trauma Healing conference in Nairobi last October, a gathering of people from all over the world working to help people heal from the trauma of war, ethnic conflict, displacement, sexual abuse, domestic violence, kidnapping, disease, trafficking, poverty and the list goes on. I knew I'd see old friends and I wanted to bring a gift. But what? It had to be small enough to carry and I'd need about 60. My greeting cards! I prepared my heart and mind as I I wrote...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Outdoor art shows serve to remind me I'm not in control. I feel like a farmer, so weather-dependent! We plan and then adjust and hope the rain date, Sat, October 11, will be a sunny, crisp, dry fall day. I hope you can make it. In the meantime, I'm watching the weather report for this Sat Oct 3 in Lititz, and asking the question I ask every fall: why does the rain always seem to come on the weekends? Click here for info on the Lititz Outdoor Fine Arts Show And the next day is the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I sat with my morning coffee looking forward my day, full to the brim as usual, but hey, ‘I got this!’ Then my daughter called. She had been on the fence for weeks about returning a volleyball rebounder net birthday gift and finally decided. Yes, return it. Whoops! It turns out we're now 2 days beyond the return window, but I don’t give up easily. After spending a good while online, a kind gentleman at Amazon graciously sent me a return label. Great! Now to disassemble the thing,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, We had the privilege of living in an African village. Celebrations were their super power. Dancing, drumming, singing, tables full of food. Party clothes, kente cloth, and gold accessories. The get-up drew heavily on Akan symbols like the one on this ring. I loved it and wore it for years. I didn't understand what it meant; I just loved it. I finally looked it up. The half circles are about the phases of the moon, nature's cycles. Things live and die and then live again. The inner...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, At the Brandywine Show, there was a huge storm in the night. My trustee tent stood firm through storm and gale . . Others were not so fortunate 😢 8 tents went to the dumpster. Other challenges: My hopes were dashed 100 times as people approached my tent, eyes wide. "Wow" they said . . . And went straight by me to the Adopt-a-Dog next door. In all, one of my paintings and 29 dogs went to new homes. With the sale of the painting and prints, I was just $5 short of breaking even on the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, They say leaning new things will keep you young. If that's true, I should be about 3 years old at this point! I've been learning so much in the Story-Telling on social media course: story arcs, finding meaning in the mundane, getting under the surface to the emotions, communicating with a combo of photos/videos and audio, plus a boatload of techie stuff. Every day, with enough time poking around online, I've been discovering new techie wonders that even I can make work . . . . . ....
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I've been focusing on art since 2020 and loving it. I've learned lots of skills and especially how to fight the inner battles and believe in myself. I've kept my communication linked to my artwork, which meant leaving out big parts of my life. That didn't feel quite right. I am an artist but not only an artist! I’ve lived cross-culturally for decades, learned language and culture, helped translate the Bible into local languages and then helped people engage with it. I was one of...
2 months ago • 1 min read