I usually write in the morning.  It’s when my mind is fresh, and the words flow best.  But this morning, as I eyed a ball of cat hair fluff scurry across the studio floor, I decided to get the vacuum, dust cloth, and tidy things up beyond just a quick hit with the vacuum.  I moved everything sitting on surfaces (which is a lot of things), and vacuumed every bit of cat hair and dust I could spot.  I put things away that have been hanging out on the counter or my desk, waiting for a home.  I didn’t get into the nitty-gritty of organizing some of the problematic storage spaces, but I did get the studio squeaky clean, which felt really good.

Now, I am ready to write and then paint.

what I’m reading

Instead of sharing something I’m reading, I’m going to share a book I wish someone would publish so I could read it.  Please, for all who love portraiture, publish a book of all the self-portraits in the Uffizi Gallery’s collection.  I have bought two books – one on the art in Florence and one on the Uffizi Gallery specifically.  The former includes only a few self-portraits alongside other paintings by the artist, and the latter devotes only four pages to that section of the gallery.  It was my favorite part of the entire Uffizi museum.  There were several rooms with artist self-portraits filling every open spot on the wall.

Make it a beautiful coffee table book packed with four-color, full-page reproductions and close-ups of all of the paintings in the collection.

Thank you.

what I’m watching

Okay, I have a real gem for you.  Jeff picked this movie without knowing anything about it, but it looked quirky and had some potential based on the trailer.  We absolutely loved it.  It’s hilarious, heartwarming, well-written, and has a wonderful soundtrack.  It’s the Ballad of Wallis Island.  If you don’t laugh in the first 15 minutes, then it’s probably not your brand of humor, but both Jeff and I thought it was so good.  I already can’t wait to watch it again.

The house and setting are also gorgeous, which I know most of you will enjoy.

what I’m loving

Bibliothèque intérierure means your “inner library” in French.  It’s the “invisible shelf you carry inside, filled with every story that’s ever shaped you.”

I love that concept and the idea that we can continue to expand our inner library throughout our lives.  Through reading, we can learn new skills, visit other parts of the world, put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, travel through time, become a student of masters, and challenge our perspective.

what I’m working on

After a heavy administrative week last week, I’ve been back at the easel daily this week.  I’m working on my commission queue and on a new client project that uses many of the pictures I took in the Cotswolds last fall.  It’s a large-scale project that is challenging me and pushing my art in some new directions, which is always a blend of intimidating and exciting.  I can’t wait to share more as the project progresses.

Until then, here are a few recent pet portraits…

What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?