...Solstice...

"Solstice"

I read something interesting last night...apparently some people  experience psychological lows during the winter solstice. Huh. 

The more I process this, the more sense it makes. I have ALWAYS felt very low spirits this time of the year. I try to plow through with my normal good humor, but it is more usual for me to dissolve into tears at the sounds of traditional seasonal songs. I always thought it was Christmas that depressed me. But if the full moon can affect me as strongly as it does, it's only logical that the long nights of the solstice can too...If I feel a darkness of the soul during the darkest days of winter, it could be simply the way I react to the seasonal change. OK, I can deal with that.

...I am a creature of the light. 

...metamorphosis...

...I feel a sea change coming. It is an unsettled feeling. A wary and uncertain feeling. I am out of balance, low in spirit, off the path, and adrift. I sense the turning of the giant gear, teeth catching in endless cycles, relentlessly obeying the laws of Universe.  

I have always had a happy soul. I am cheerful in my work. I am energized by change, and my strength lies in my ability to evolve. I love helping people. 

I know there is a light...I can't see it just now.

I am praying for my friend Ruth tonight. She has lost her son Doug to cancer. Words are not enough to heal that kind of loss. 

...Ruth you are well loved...

...small successes are OK for now....

"1960~Baby Artist"

Recently I was approached via email by a woman from New York City. She was a marketing coordinator for a gallery in Chelsea. She told me that she had viewed my art work on my website and wanted me to consider presenting my portfolio if I was interested in gallery representation. She asked if I was interested in more information, of course I said yes.

The lure is cast:

The information that she sent me was beautiful. It was professional, glossy, contemporary--   in short-everything I would expect from a NYC gallery. Artists dream (in full blown color, exaggerated details and even scents) of such an opportunity. The ultimate goal is to reach that level of gallery representation. If I could find gallery representation in some major cities, then I could possibly, just possibly achieve that ultimate goal. To be able to paint full time, to make a living with  my art...that one thing that I have been told my entire life that could not be done. 

An unbelievably lofty goal.

My EGO engages:

"Wow, Wendy," it says to me. "I told you your work was good enough!" it sings. My extraordinary imagination begins to see myself greeting people in NYC, with my paintings hanging on perfectly lit pristine wall spaces. Of course the paintings glow with rich colors and textures, causing masses of New Yorkers to stop and stare in rapture....

Then reality thunks me in the head:

"We ask that artists read the FAQ section before submitting your portfolio: We offer a few representation options, starting from $3850, which can be paid in six installments of $710 each...." 

Whoa.

It says in fine print "That which appears too good to be true, usually is..." (this common sense comes to me in my mother's voice and refers to everything from interesting men, to low fat ice cream.)  

Reality is saying to me:

NOT YET.

...did you know....?

  HEEEEEERE's Lucy!!!!

Today, this blog received it's 10,000th page view!!!

....speechless...   :o)

...oasis in the woods...

I watched a young doe approach the water bucket under the deck this evening. 

It was about 6:30 and still very bright. It was obviously very difficult for her to overcome her fears, she must have been so thirsty. I first noticed her coming downhill as she was still 50 feet away. I heard her snort twice. She may have smelled the dogs in the front yard, or she may have sensed me watching her. 

She took three nervous steps and froze. She lifted her feet high and placed them quietly. 

Then her long ears twitched front, back, side to side. A vulture settled to roost in one of the tallest pines making a feathery flapping racket. This sound was expected. Familiar. No worry there. Then she turned back and looked hard at the windows off the deck. 

It was me who made her delicate legs tremble. 

She took two high steps. Standing for several tense moments, she listened and taste the air. Closer she crept and closer. She needed the water badly. I could almost feel her thirst.

I left the window then, knowing that it would be calming if I was not standing watching her, and I wanted her to drink her water. I have been thirsty, even knowing that it was a simple thing for me to find water. How challenging for the woodland beings who struggle through the hot dry season. Ponds and nearby creek-beds are long dry, driving them to travel long thirsty distances along known game trails, crossing well travelled roads until the intoxicating scent of water entices them to risk goat-cleared hillsides, forcing them to brave the dangers of dogs and hunter-humans.

Many evenings I hear the deer drinking from the water bucket. They walk so quietly, that I would never know they were there, except the cats alert me. Then I hear their soft sipping noises as they quench their thirst. Their drinking sounds just the same as my goats. 

Many mornings when I do my early chores, I notice that leftover alfalfa from the previous day is gone like magic. 

I know better than to purposely feed them. This leads predators in to wait. This leads to hunters shooting between buildings to poach, and it leads to dangerous confrontations between farm folk and deer who have lost respect for them. 

I can't help but be glad that they find the water here that they so badly need for their survival.

...Autumn is nearing...

...Stockton Art League demo this evening...

It has been a LONG time since I demonstrated for a group. I am truly looking forward to my visit to the Stockton Art League tonight. They are an awesome group of art enthusiasts, and I feel a connection to them, even though I have only met them recently. How nice for me to be invited to share! 

We are going to talk about trees. LOTS of trees. Such a simple thing really, but very important to my art and what makes me tick. My goal is to share my respect and passion for my subject matter, inspire some to try, and sprinkle everything with fun!!

...aiming to inspire...

...show notes....

 "Relax, Cowboy"

It's time for Amador County fair entries again and I am entering five paintings this year. 

This cowboy is going :) My camera discovered him at last year's fair

...no, ladies, I do not know him. 

It is a lot of fun to show in our local fair. I know many of the artists and enjoy seeing what everyone has entered. Our county has done such an excellent job of preserving that small country fair feeling.

Two of my most recent paintings "Sunlit Vines and "Jackson Butte" will not be in the fair this year. They have the honor of hanging in the 

Haggin Museum in Stockton for the National Show there. I will post more information about that soon.

I'm so excited to see that show!!

For now, I am working to finish three paintings before the fair. Yes, I can do that.

...feeling special ;)