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How about failure??? Well, to me, that's a "dirty" word, but the bottom line is that any time you put yourself or your work out into the world, things may not go as planned. Here is a recent painting that didn't make the cut to be included in an International Art Exhibit: Here is a painting that didn't sell at an art gallery after a month long show:   So, are these failures? Not to me. I like to think that if something didn't sell, the person who was destined to own it wasn't in the gallery at that time....

My late Mother always uttered the phrase, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride". Wishes were ridiculous. You either DID something, or you didn't. Although it took some of the joy out of wishing on birthday candles, it was still a gift; a philosophy to live by that meant no excuses. Painting is hard. You have to fail at everything, then cheer yourself through it by saying a mantra of, "Well, at least you're learning!" Ugh. When you've made a mess of a half sheet of Arches Watercolour paper from France, that mantra doesn't help to put your mind...

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...