Back in the Saddle Again

Growing up I often heard, "When you come off a horse, you get right back in the saddle again." Well, I didn't get right back in the saddle again this time, but at least I'm back. Sometimes I procrastinate something for so long that it begins to feel like it's been too long to even try again. Nevertheless, here I am. So what happened? This happened... 

My mother-in-law had a fatal stroke in May 2016. If you had told me that her passing would create a 7-month creative block I wouldn't have believed you. But life is not always believable.  While I haven't been much at my easel, I haven't been doing nothing. Over the next few days I'll be posting a combination of painting work and other professional work from the past year. 

Today is officially the first day I've painting since July 22, 2016. As much as the anxiety of it gave me a headache and an anxiety attack, it's good to be back in the saddle again. 

Mindful Mandala

In April I will be teaching a workshop for the Hoffman Center for the Arts. I'm calling it Mindful Art. They asked me to create an image for publicity. It started out to be a personal mandala, but quickly turned into one about my thoughts and feelings regarding my children. It's amazing how impossible it is to keep yourself out of your art. I had a wonderful conversation about this with a fellow artist during my opening reception for the Hoffman Center in January. It reminds me of a thought that often comes into my head, "No matter where I go, there I am." And obviously, no matter where I go, my kids are with me heart and soul.