Jay has two, two, TWO days left until retirement. I hope I can hold on to these Wednesday painting days. This afternoon's work is a 25% rework of a 3-year old painting. Now I can feel the wind in the trees! "Byway," pastel, 12.5 x 11 inches. You can see and read the backstory here.

destiny

Today is Wednesday...my painting for-sure day. And, except for a trip to the airport and a dog walk, I've been in the studio at both of my easels since 8:30 this morning - about 6 hours. Now I'm tired. This morning I finished a little pastel study for a larger work in oil.

Color Study for Destiny  | pastel  |  7 x 5 inches

destiny |ˈdestinē|     noun, the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future: she was unable to control her own destiny.

In the afternoon, using the study as a guide, I started an 18 x 18 inch oil. More about that one later, probably on my Art Journal Blog.

At the end of the month, my life as I know it will be over as we move into Jay's retirement. Last time, his retirement lasted 6 weeks then he was back in the industry due to customer appreciation. We went into business together and my life changed from art full-time to accounts payable and accounts receivable. After several years, he sold our inventory and went to work for another company, same industry. Jay has been in fiberglass, resin and carbon fiber sales for 50 years!  This retirement, he'll be focused on making our planned home a reality. Then what? Exciting times!

On a roll or spinning my wheels...

I worked at K2 Skis for sixteen years, four 10-hour days per week. Wednesdays were my own.

Now, as we move forward to build our new home, all days are filled with everything except making art. Even the business of art takes a lot of time. The past week has been spent rotating art at three of my galleries, shipping art sold online, and setting up the new year in QuickBooks. I want my Wednesdays back.

This morning I received a nice email comment on my painting "Summer Morning." I remember being "on a roll" last summer when I painted a dozen small pastels.

"Summer Morning," pastel, 7x7 inches

Today is Wednesday. I have my painting apron on. I may only "spin my wheels" but at least I'm in the driver's seat today to make art.

Happy New Year