Agility

We were moving very quickly. 

Or rather, Olive was moving quickly and I was trying to keep up. Therefore, Jamie's photo is quite blurry but does show how fast this little dog of ours is. She was moving so rapidly that on the teeter-totter she took a flying leap off of the end, a big deduction of points and slightly dangerous for her. 

It is hard slowing a fast dog down. 

Agility has introduced me to people that I probably would never have otherwise met, a population brought together because we all really love our dogs, love working with them. I look forward to going to the arena, the smell of horses strong in the air, and setting up obstacles that challenge Olive's mind. 

She is my little champion, even when she goes flying off of the teeter totter.

Being an Artist

It feels good to be an artist. It feels good to spend hours, watching pieces evolve and grow, putting paint to paper. It feels good to put up a body of work and see how hard you have worked, how much time you have spent on an act so precious and unique to you.

I was part of the Art Association's local art fair, Takin' It to the Streets, this September. It is a wonderful, small fair, with good people and an appreciative crowd.  It was a gorgeous day, although chilly setting up, and I was nestled in between my good friends Kate and Todd and Micah, an acquaintance-turned-friend. 

This is what I want my reality to be. I want to be an artist forever.

A long day deserves some Grateful's

It was a long day today, starting in a sluggish run and ending in a headache. So I thought it was more than appropriate to finish the day with five grateful's.

1. Waking from a really deep sleep, refreshed and full of dreams.

2. Speaking with Del Ray the Jackson Hole Radio DJ who always gets me smiling.

3. The bank teller giving my little doggie dog treats when I did my deposit.

4. Hearing Claire's voice and knowing she was safe and alright after kayaking.

5.  Being able to buy good food while supporting our hard-working local supermarket.

Okay six...

6. Climbing with Jamie and feeling my muscles work to get me up the walls.

Tomorrow will be a more peaceful day.

Painting Again

After days of rain, all one can do is paint....It has been a great excuse to stay inside and be productive with the paints.  When you live in an active town like Jackson it is sometimes hard to remember that down time is good time, healthy for the body and the mind. And during that down time I am going to try to do more art and keep this blog more alive and colorful. 

I just got back from seeing The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and feel so happy, even though most of the movie was incredibly sad. Eliah and I sat transfixed in the theater. Even the sounds of ice in a cup and the crunching of popcorn did not distract as the beautifully filmed movie evolved on the screen.

Based on a true story and created from the book by the same title, this movie chronicles the trials of a once fashionable and handsome man, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who has been stricken by a stroke and completely paralyzed save for one eye. Through this eye we experience Jean-Do's environment and see his new world from his perspective. He can hear but cannot speak and over the course of time establishes communication through blinking. Many shots are like paintings, colorful and compositionally comforting. The movie concludes with Jean-Do having written a book about his experience, all with the help of a translator, who dutifully repeated letters until he blinked a "yes".

This movie was a powerful portrayal of the strength of life; how even what seems impossible can be overcome and become a thing of beauty.

A recommendation for sure.

Getting back to This

I go and look at Claires blog ( http://dibblephoto.blogspot.com/) and feel inspired by her dedication to her writing, her photos and her postings. This could be me too. The excuse that it is easier to upload photos than photos of paintings can not suffice anymore.

Above and below is one of the latest pieces I am working on. There are still many unanswered questions in the painting and although I am liking it more and more I am struggling with how to find the answers. I like doing landscapes and am finding that I like the vistas that come from my head even more than the ones from real life.




Today I took Olive for a walk in the eerily warm temperature, soft snow crunching and gentle wind blowing. We walked the trail less traveled. It is one of my favorites when there is wind because the tall firs rub against each other, the only sound, creating a soundtrack for our romp. It is such a mysterious sound, the meeting of two trees, and Olive often mistakes the noise for squirrels. The snow that was falling from high above in clumps due to the thaw reminded me of this painting. Maybe these white shapes are snow drifts....maybe they are figures....



What the week holds: Pilates, a return to running, swimming, hopefully a Galactic concert although all tickets are claimed, the start of my new job, laughter, Valentines Day, art openings....and many more surprises I am sure.

An Appropriate Horoscope for 2008

Comfort is vital to Capricorns born on January 15. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, they do what they can to make the world better. They gravitate toward good feelings, good works, and good intentions. They enjoy living in the lap of luxury but never lose sight of the intangibles that make life worth living.

Friends and Lovers: People born on this day are loners yet possess a magnetism that draws people to them. They are loyal and supportive to friends. They have trouble making sense of all but the most intense relationships and usually give their heart only once. They have little problem keeping relationships separate from personal expectations.

Children and Family: Family matters have an important place for those born on January 15. They have leadership potential and are often regarded as the scion of the family. As parents, they encourage their youngsters to develop independence and self-sufficiency yet are anxious to protect them from failures and disappointments.

Health: Although blessed with general good health, January 15 individuals possess an extremely sensitive nature that can negatively affect their physical well-being. In order to retain emotional and physical equilibrium, it's important for them to practice meditation, especially before bedtime.

Career and Finances: January 15 natives know how to take care of business. Career goals play a vital role in their lives, though it may take a long time for them to discover where their deepest interests lie. When they do settle on a career, they give their all. They enjoy making money, although that isn't an especially important factor in their career choice.

Dreams and Goals: Although they wear the mask of practicality with conviction, people born on January 15 have a complicated nature. They want to create a legacy. Their dreams may be far more fanciful and creative than those who know them might expect. For this reason, they often turn to the creative arts for personal expression. Painting, writing, or music help them achieve their inner potential.