KNOWING JOY

"Stay close to people who feel like sunshine."

Is there any better advice for 2026?

Join a group of creatives. Create daily and share with your group.

Seek "sunshine" folks in all you do and go all in on joy. 

Then, let me know how it goes. :)

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON

 As the clock started ticking as soon as the turkey carcass was bare....holiday season is really warming up now.

I'm busy each weekend from Friday thru Sunday at the Sawdust Festival's Winter Fantasy. And what a joyous time it is. Children come all dressed up for their pics with Santa, the marionette show delights young and old, music sounds throughout the grounds that are decorated for the holidays...and of course there are the artists selling their personal magic. This is something not to be missed if you're in town. It is a great way to let the holidays in.

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

May your day be one of fullness and gratitude for all of the gifts of life.

It's the little things

 

I know, I know...it's been waaaaay too long since I have written for this blog. I would like to say it's the little things that have gotten in the way and maybe that's even true. But I also have to admit to the fact there have been some larger than little things that have contributed to my laxity.

I choose, however, to leave the large and the little behind me and make an effort to do better. So bear with me moving forward. 

The things on the horizon are wonderful, heartwarming mixed media workshops and the upcoming Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival (November 21 thru December 21, Fridays thru Sundays.) I hope to see new and old friends at both.

Meanwhile, it IS the little things that matter.

IT'S ON!!!!

 

The summer festival season is upon us here in Laguna Beach. Art, music, great food, more art, more music, more food...oh, yeah! and traffic. 

And many of us look forward to it with joy and enthusiasm no matter what. So I can only encourage one and all to find a way to give it a chance. Come visit the festivals and experience the joyful creations. Creativity makes the world run better!

NATURE CALLS...TO REST AND RELAX AND ENJOY

 It was definitely time. So off to the mountains for time away from the "normalcy" of everyday life. Was it worth it? Oh, yeah!

The Stellar's Jay came to visit first, but the birdsong from the nearby trees said that more was to to come. I could identify the robin, the grosbeak, the house finches, and of course the crow. There is also the chatter of the tree squirrel, perhaps scolding us for intruding.

The sunlight casts its light through the trees, shading and enhancing the various greens and warming the wood colors in tree trunks. The light also illuminates nearby stark peaks in all their magnificence. 

A brisk breeze picks up just as I am basking in all of this wonder and reminds me it is time to go out and explore. And so I shall!

BLANK SLATES

 Sometimes a blank slate is daunting; sometimes just exactly what is needed. Which works better for you?

I have to admit that most of the time the blank space causes me to pause. But really all that is needed for me is to start. It might be just the simple straight line or something more inspiring. There is no one answer.

In my workshops a tool that is used to get everyone going is a short list of five things (i.e. pink, number, insect, word, square). Off they go, creating away. It works every time and has such wide variety of expression that it is amazing.

And on the subject of workshops.....they are my joy! The people who show up are always a delight.Those returning are welcoming to newcomers and there is always a sense not just of inclusion, but camaraderie. The five hours go quickly and often new friendships are forged. Gotta love it! A sense of community is created along with some art. 

SPRING IN THE AIR

 
Spring is definitely in the air though the calendar has not quite caught up yet. Birds are all a-twitter from early dawn to dusk and even beyond. The hills are greening. Buds are sprouting in a vast array of color everywhere. Nature is creating its best for us these days. Gotta love it!!

I'm excited about spring and all that it brings of course. I will be participating in the Spring Fling weekend at the Sawdust Art Festival April 4-6 and have several monthly workshops upcoming as well as a Torn Paper Collage class for Sawdust Art Classes in May. 

Things are coming up roses, as they say :)

I KNOW, WHAT THE FLOCK???

 I know I must be about THE worst blogger in the universe. I just get distracted and don't do it. Are the distractions worthwhile endeavors? Yes, the majority are, but it still somehow doesn't seem a good enough excuse.

So do I continue? Do I just throw in the towel? I find myself in a quandary as to what to do about this blog moving forward. 

I don't really seem to have many people following it, but that's likely because it has been so sporadic. Or is blogging a thing of the past? 

So here I am, left with the indecision. If anyone reading this has thoughts they would of course be appreciated. But, then, maybe no one is reading this any longer. Guess I just dunno. 

For now, I'll try to do better at regular postings and see what that brings. 

What the flock?