What I'm Grateful For

So lately I've been on the go like crazy from Italy, to moving to Denver then teaching a workshop in Virginia then a trip to Santa Fe....needless to say I've been pushing myself a lot and when I do that sometimes I don't take the down time to stay charged up and fresh.  I realized this morning that if I didn't take that time I was bound to snap! I like to go through my journals and do some gratitude journaling to reset my mind.  I really like The Five Minute Journal: https://thehustle.co/the-five-minute-journal-will-make-you-happier. So check that out if you are interested. It's short and sweet. Write down three things that you are grateful for and three things that would make today great.

Here's my three things I'm grateful for today:

PROGRESS - Hope that I can evolve, change and grow into the human being I would like to become more like.

REJECTION-  When looking at rejection in a different way I see that when I or my work is rejected it is a reminder for me to be my biggest champion; not to wait for someone else to value you me or my work; to give myself and others that much needed compliment and encouragement.

COMPASSION -  I am so thankful that people are compassionate and patient towards me.  When others recognize I am imperfect, human and show me kindness opens me up to do the same for myself and others.

Oh yeah....and all of these wonderful beautiful places and people I have met this month!

Off we go to Colorado!!

 

Beautiful Sunrises in Virginia!

All of the wonderful students at Virginia Beach School of Art. www.http://www.vbsag.com/

Really they were a delightful group and very brave since many of them had never painted a still life from life. They had really great attitudes and made some beautiful paintings in this three day workshop.

 

Once I returned from Virginia, we took a trip to Santa Fe to check out all of the beautiful works in the galleries there. It truly is a magical place. I still can't get over those gorgeous clouds and mountains!

We were only there for 3 days, but packed a lot in including seeing the Fechin house and studio, Total Arts Gallery, most of the Santa Fe galleries....did some mighty fine eating and even an afternoon of painting. 

 A couple of Fechin's paintings that I really loved out of the collection.

 
 
 

Fechin's tiny little door into his adobe studio and his view into the garden from inside. Needless to say I was envious of his studio!

 

Monte graciously took this photo of me with one of my paintings completed on a beautiful evening before dinner. I actually haven't painted in several weeks (other than demonstrations) since the move and all the travel so it was a pleasure regardless of how rusty I was.

Plein Air Sketch - 8"x10" - oil on panel

"Santa Fe Sky"

$200 available