It’s been a day of comings and goings. Rosa Jo is staying with us for a few days as my parents visit friends. Our contractor stopped by to open our pool and talk about a few upcoming projects. The refrigerator repair tech was out to make one last-ditch effort at getting our fridge working again (I’ll share all about that in another post). I’ve been trying to work between it all, but this post has taken forever to put together as a result!
I’ve been called to jury duty next week, but I’m going to try to get a few post drafts ready in case I need to serve in a trial. Life is keeping me on my toes lately…
Here are my four things for this week: Book stacks, another portrait show, seasonal fruit, and commissions.
what I’m reading
I’m still working through the Van Gogh biography, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I have to take it in bite-sized chunks because there is just so much there! So much to think about when it comes to art, doubt, and dealing with criticism, embracing what your hands make, etc. I have to stop the audiobook pretty often to digest it, take notes, and think about it.
I’ve also allowed myself some more fun, light reading, which I’ve managed to keep under control, and I’ve done some reading for research. Lots of book stacks around my studio, as always!
what I’m watching
I’ve shared several times that Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year are two of my favorite shows on TV. I’m always so excited when new season becomes available in the US. So, I was so excited when I saw Portrait Artist of the Year: Australia on Amazon Prime (through Free-Vee). I’m a couple of episodes in, and while it doesn’t have quite the same magic as the UK version, I am loving watching the art. It introduces me to new ways of looking at a subject as well as my own art.
what I’m loving
“I’m learning how to eat the fruit that’s in season.” – Ben Rector, Living My Best Life.
I heard this lyric in a song while on my morning walk the other day, and even though I have heard the song dozens of times, it hit me afresh. Of course, literal fruit tastes better when it’s in season. I’ve learned that so many fruits and vegetables I thought I didn’t like were ones I tried out of season when they were flavorless, mushy, and mealy. No wonder I didn’t like that! But then I tried a summer fresh tomato, and I realized they are delightful.
But the lyric also spoke to me on a creative level, about the seasonality of ideas, successes, and trends. When cherries are in season, I need to enjoy them as much as possible. When something I create is “in season”, I need to enjoy it as much as possible. Lean into the success while it’s there, because it will, inevitably, go out of season as trends and the market change. That’s not a bad thing. It’s just the nature of seasons.
When viewed in that light, we can enjoy those seasons of bounty with more intention, knowing they are precious and fleeting.
what I’m working on
It’s been a busy week! I’ve been working on commission paintings, taking care of a few odds and ends for the Lucketts Spring Market, packing and shipping paintings, framing originals, and doing research for my next book. I do feel a bit all over the place at times, but I also feel fulfilled. I’m enjoying my work, which is always the goal.
Here are a couple of portraits I worked on over this week…
I can’t wait to tell you more about this one…
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?
10 Responses
Your paintings, landscapes and animals always amaze me – You’re so darn good at it!! You also seem to make multi-tasking look easy. I am painting in watercolors right now. It was always me least favorite medium but I found artists on YouTube who do these miniature paintings and I thought, they are so small, I can do that. There is definitely a learning curve and like anything else, takes lots of practice. I am liking it and having fun. I’m almost addicted to these little 2X2 or 2X3 paintings. Do you think you will ever do portraits? I look at the great master’s paintings and yours are just as great (from my limited art history education). I love Portrait Artist of the Year, and am partial to the UK version. The others are kind of different and I don’t like them as much. I’ve heard the next UK season will have different judges (boohoo).
It really resonated with me about enjoying it while it’s in season—be it fruit or your work or even friendships. I am trying to get my garden in shape and am having a difficult time getting my vision for what I want it to be in line. But keep plodding forward.
Oh my gosh, that Ben Rector song. I’d never heard it—but, wow! It is just what I needed in this (really hard) season of life. And, yes, I DO need to learn how to eat the fruit of the season, because there is fruit, even here.
I’m going to listen to the song on repeat. Thanks again.
Double wow on the Ben Rector song. I’ve never heard of him before, but will definitely listen to that song again. The lyrics are so hard hitting.
Hello,
The white dog picture may have just taken over first place in my favorites:)
I have been going to ask for the past weeks and just haven’t. On the opening welcome spring page of your blog isn’t that paragraph about winter? Am I missing something, like it’s intentional and seeing how many spot it or am I miss understanding.
Thank you so much for all your work continuing this blog, I really look forward to and enjoy it.
Ann, I’ve noticed that too. Not only the words but if you look at the picture you can see snow on the shrubbery/trees outside the window.
Oh, yes! I need to fix that. Thanks! And yes, the picture has some snow through the window. 🙂
Perfect bowl of cherries!
Monique
Marian,
I was thinking back to when I first started reading your posts. Could it have been in 2009? Anyway, I enjoy each and every one and feel like you are a friend. Thank you for continuing to post even with your great success as an artist and keeping up with a lovely home and family.
I listen to my books on Audible and am currently hooked on Tana French. She is an American-Irish writer and writes entertaining murder-mysteries. I’m currently reading her latest book In the Woods.
Have a great weekend.
Karen B.
Yes! I started blogging back in 2009. Thanks for hanging around as I meander through life and work.