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Crowds of people, (meaning more than three in a room), make me uncomfortable. In fact, one of my friends once said, "Lori, if our High School Reunion was held in your FRONT YARD, you wouldn't come!"  Very true. BUT, if you put me in a room with artists, the discomfort is gone. I revel in their creativity, their passion, their dedication. We have a common goal and a finish line: a painting that gives us joy. However, I realized at one point that I didn't really know the people I was spending hours with, other than by the little things...

Artists are passionate. I find myself yelling at the TV with hands clenched in fists whenever the judges on the show Landscape Artist of the Year choose anyone other than MY pick as the winner. Sometimes they film the artists immediately after the 4 hour competition. They sit together in a semi circle and eat their lunch while the judges frown, studying their work to determine the winner. The artists chat, finally relaxing after such an intense time of painting. While winning is part of the equation, it's not at the top of the list, or doesn't seem to be....

Take a Breath...we made it. It's 2022. Cheering seems inappropriate, although perhaps loud noises can chase away demons if we try hard enough. Maybe we should clap loudly when least expected; like seeing the dawn of a new day; when a youngster eats all of their broccoli; when the dog catches the Frisbee. There are always reasons to be joyful. We just need to search a little deeper in these challenging times, to see the wonders in our own lives that we overlook. Some people are making lists of resolutions, only to edit them a day later, realizing that the...

Every artist has a list, either in their heads or, as in my case, written on a scrap of paper, taped to my desk. It's the "dream" list..."whenever I have enough money/talent/space, I would like..." On my list are things like 300 lb watercolour paper, Carbazole Violet Watercolour paint by Daniel Smith. Wait...scratch that...ANY Daniel Smith watercolour paint! (A quiet sigh of admiration...) Artists are dreamers. That's how we make our magic, but it's also what gets in the way of us remembering important things that we NEED. If you have a Beloved Artist in your life, or if you...

An artist opens their heart with every painting. They put pieces of the puzzle of who they are on each canvas. They cannot hold secrets and brushes at the same time. There will always be a part of my soul in Quebec. I was born in Montreal and moved from there to the Eastern Townships; the countryside that people living in the city long for. The experts tell you to paint what you know. What is familiar; close to your heart. Where you feel complete. I live in the Rocky Mountains of Canada and am grateful to live in such...