Blog

 Last January I pledged I would write a weekly blog and post it every Monday in preparation to write a book about color.  I am now half way through the year and the experience has been both humbling and rewarding.  My goal was to write a couple of blogs a week but it turns out writing is hard and to get clarity in a short post takes hours of incubation and rewrites. The rewards have been plentiful.  The practice has made my writing leaner and I am learning to say more with less.  When I began in January I did not know if anyone would be interested, but the response and the growing audience have surprised me and I am truly grateful for the encouragement and support. Another unexpected benefit is that many of the posts have been republished by other artists and art news outlets.

I discovered that I am particular where I write.  My studio is too cluttered and distracting.  Sitting by a window is best - something about the light and the space of the outdoors allows thoughts to formulate, compile, and cure.  Quiet is a must. My writing legs are too wobbly and sudden noise will break my concentration and scare away emerging sentences, sometimes never to return. 

A couple of months ago I wrote about the importance of a sacred space for artists and the value of claiming a spot for creative practice.  I am happy to report that I now have a sacred space for writing.  Our son has been on his own for several years and his room sat unused except for the occasional guest.  It was packed with growing boy memorabilia, which we boxed up and stored away.  The walls were repainted light yellow and blue to enhance the sunlight that streams in from the windows. My husband restored the windows so they open and capture the breeze.  As I write, a cross current carries the fragrance of the garden around the room.  Furnishings are sparse but comfortable and I am surrounded by representations of family and friends.   Work tools are simple: a laptop, a charger, and a selection of art books for inspiration.  Most importantly I have a door and my husband can listen to what he wants without worry of bothering me.  He respects that a closed door means I am writing and will come out when finished.  I am a fortunate artist/writer to have two sacred spaces to create in. 

The room also serves as a home for paintings, flowers, and my husband's second upright bass.

South facing wall. 

Thank you for following this blog.  It has been six months of writing and posting, if you have any suggestions on topics I would love to hear from you.