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It is the time of year when we hear of resolutions as we're about to turn the calendar .

Ordinarily, I don't make resolutions, as I have made a habit of setting goals throughout the year for myself.

Recently, I have been giving thought to goals set specifically towards being a better artist, particularly since art is such a big part of my life...and it is how others, besides friends and family think of me.

One of the goals that is usually at the top of everyone's list is to take better care of our selves. Well, that certainly applies to making good art. Good sleep, exercising, and eating healthier foods is good for anyone. Exercise is important, as we don't often think of the physical demands of being on our feet in long hours at the easel. Being strong is necessary for plein air painting...there is equipment to lug, and usually some hiking involved. I certainly would like to hike to the beautiful places around me a bit more this coming year.

I'm fortunate to live near Sedona with stunning views.

Eating healthy foods is important, of course. Who feels like painting when feeling sluggish?

And, I believe firmly in the adage " Don't drink and draw"...it doesn't work!

How about the bad things that we consume? I'd like to stretch that point a bit, and point out that one of the things that is really bad for us is negativity. I often find myself getting down on my work, or really beating myself up with a rejection, for example. This simply does no good at all. I do allow myself to feel badly, but only for the rest of the day, at the most. And, I have learned that I will produce some klunkers. I do know enough to just let them go, and perhaps the next work or so will be decent.

Another thing that we do is compare ourselves to others, and I am guilty. I will try to do better with that. Social media makes this one hard to live by...especially when it is a place to share the high points with our followers.  I'm making a point to celebrate along with others a bit more freely. I do know just how great it feels when others congratulate me on accomplishments. I am genuinely happy when someone posts great sales, or a prestigious award...or when travelling to an exotic locale. However, there are times when jealousy rears its' ugly head, and I think " How come I can't do that? "

I am learning that there are opportunities that come along that is a right fit...and others that are just not meant for me.

Focus is so important...and I am working on that.

"Rio Verde Tarde"

This , I think one of the best paintings I produced in 2019. It was inspired by a trip to our Verde River on the day after we got a good , rare snowfall. 

I used my photos, and some plein air reference to shut myself up in the studio and go for this one. One of the reasons that it worked out well, is that I knew I had razor-sharp focus while painting it.

Sometimes , while I paint, my mind does wander, and then the work becomes a struggle.

Lately I have become very aware of when I am slipping in to other thoughts, and that is where developing focus begins. 

A practice of meditation, if only for a few minutes every day,  really helps with " monkey brain." I admit, I have been slipping with that one, but I do resolve to be more consistent with it! 

Of course, I want to do better with my art business. This past year has been very rewarding with my classes, and workshops, for which I am very thankful. The New Year will be an opportunity to ramp up sales...which have been a bit sluggish. I do know that it means seeking out better venues , and attracting more people to my studio. Knowing what to do is the first step in the process. 

"Oak Creek Lapis" is one of the paintings that did find a nice home in 2019.

I could really get down on myself for not being more proactive with finding collectors...but this past year was a time of two really nice trips...one to Spain, and then an extended trip back to the East Coast. So much inspiration! So, I know that I will have exciting new paintings to present when I do find the venues.

And how about kindness? I am told that I am very patient when teaching...but there are times when I could do a bit better.

I have also realized that people really DO love looking at my art...and can not always afford to buy it. So, I do know that it is part of my mission to share my vision that there is light, life and beauty all around us.  My goal is to help others realize the simple gifts that are  present every day in the world around us.

That is something I will continue to do, no matter the date on the calendar.

Today I'm leaving for Scottsdale to teach at the Scottsdale Artist's School.

I'm excited, as this is such a great facility to work with...and it will be nice to enjoy some " bigger city' holiday decorations. 

My workshop will be for all levels, and I think that this time I will have a wide variety of experience.

For instance, I have been contacted by someone who is a bit apprehensive about her beginner status, and I also know that I will have a fellow instructor joining us!

In today's world, especially with the prevalence of social media, it is so hard to not measure our accomplishments against those of others. I admit, I find myself falling in to the same trap.

I always tell people to try not to compare, because what others do has nothing to do with your own progress.

It is hard, because no matter how accomplished one gets, there will always be someone who has more talent, more experience, and more ease in painting. There will always be others who have less, as well.

Do you!

Everyone has their own unique take on this visual world .

Everyone has their own unique backgrounds and experiences to bring to the easel.

Kind of like snowflakes!

The beauty of a workshop is that you can learn from the other participants as well as the instructor...and I'll be learning as well as teaching. 

Today is a rainy, wet, dreary grey day .

Because these are rare in Arizona, I am enjoying catching up on chores, tasks, clearing...etc. A bit later, I'll read the Sunday news....something I have not done for some time.

Many times, I like to paint pieces that reflect the mood of the day.

"Autumn Opal " 16x20  is a painting that I had worked on this past week.

It has actually been quite rainy, off and on for the past couple of weeks for our high desert location.  The weather had really gotten me in the mood to work on this...a painting I had put aside for a while . After returning from a visit to the Northeast last month, ( image locale), and because it has been misty and damp, I was inspired to finish it up. I like to refer to putting pieces aside for a while as " letting them cook."

The elapsed time allows me to look at the work with a fresh eye. The similar conditions also allowed me to study the effects of a damp atmosphere with close values, softer edges, and of course, subtle greyed hues.

Now, mind you, truth be told, one of the reasons that we relocated here was because there were just way too many dark, rainy dreary days for my liking, or inspiration. They got to be downright depressing!

If there are several more days of rain, say for a few weeks on end, I will be inspired to create my own sunshine. I'll go for a bright sunny subject to work on in the studio.

"December Hot Spot" 18x24  was inspired by some plein air work and references from a lovely warm day near outside of  Mesa .

Right now, a subject like this is very different from our current conditions, however. just looking at it right now makes me feel warmer!

"Sunburst Study" is a view from the studio...on a dark day when it was just starting to clear. There was a burst of light that illuminated the middle ground...and so a burst of inspiration.

So, mood certainly does affect my inspiration. I will say that I am continually awed and inspired by the effects of natural light...no matter what the conditions.

Today is the Sunday of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Many of us are busy starting holiday errands, and clearing up after a day of visitors , visiting and enjoying a wonderful meal with friends and family. I am fortunate in that is what we did. I am very grateful to be able to share an array of food, and our nice home with loved ones.

Another thing that I experienced was a reminder that it is always great to share our own gifts, and time.

I had a special little visitor who really wanted to paint with me over the holiday.

So, I made sure that I had some paints, brushes and papers just for her. I have worked with little ones over the years, and it is always refreshing to see things from a different point of view. My great niece loves rainbows, so that was her chosen subject. 

After producing several paintings of rainbows, and a special one of mountains for her Dad's birthday,  she did one just for me.

Six year old Lea did a rainbow of stripes! I was quite impressed that she changed the shape, and also had a nice color progression.

On the right is glitter, because after all " it has to have glitter".

Who doesn't like glitter?

I have had many students over the years, and I am always thankful for the various insights that I have gotten from them. It is a two-way street.

I recall many years ago that when I was teaching a pastel/watercolor combined class, a student said Well, why can't you do this?

She was referring to wetting a bush and using it to make a more paint like effect with the pastel. Before I had been doing separate layering of each media. Well, why not? I have used the technique ever since . Thank you, Marion.

And, Sophie, who took the time and discipline to make Richard Schmid color charts for her oil painting.

We were all quite impressed with the amount of time, determination and focus required to produce the charts.

By doing so, she learned so much about color mixing and the subtleties of using slightly different hues in the mixtures.

Way to go, Sophie!

We can all learn from one another.

and let's not forget that giving is a way of gaining so much more.