'To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage.'
~ Georgia O'Keeffe

An almost-spring-is-here day blooms here in the mountains--a renewal of spirit and soul amid blue sky and a clear morning. The old front porch swing sways in the breeze, shimmering gold fish delight in splashing water, and River dog barks happily from his perch on weather-beaten front steps. There's a sense of pure joy, an eagerness to create. To do my work while here this brief time, this golden hour of life. Where does the creative well spring from? Outside, I've got new work in progress: there's an excitement in that. The colors of the paint I've mixed, juicy drips of warm pink from a turquoise brush, lovely veils of orchid floating in the rinse water. Bright drink can. Ordinary things that conspire to be magic on this almost-spring-is-here day. Life pushes up from the roots, through the ground. It was waiting there all winter, waiting to be found in an artist's heart this moment. Georgia O'Keeffe is right. It takes courage, and in that courage, one finds inexplicable dervishes of joy.

Thank you for reading this blog. I've been writing it for almost 8 years, posting each month with photos, thoughts, quotes. Please share it and become a follower. A couple years ago, I caved in and allowed a few ads on it, which someday, if enough people read it, I'll collect a small pittance from. Keep your artists going in whatever way you can! I, for one, am grateful.