What an absolutely incredible, heartwrenching, beautiful year. I still feel I’m at the very beginning of so much in life, I hardly know anything at all. My heart feels disoriented with loss. I feel captivated by the beauty of life and loved ones. Nature continues to lift me up from dark places.
I am so grateful for the chance to pause and reflect on the year behind me.
I am nearly speechless to realize I created 60 original paintings, 30 (what???!!!) of which were commissioned pieces. This means 30 precious connections with people about matter of heart and art. I am stunned.
This is truly beyond my wildest dreams.
I painted protea, mountains, aspens, snowdrops, cherry blossoms, sunsets, sunrises, creeks, irises, peonies, delphinum, roses, winter trees, dahlia, calla lillies and one bird (awww).
With these sixty original paintings, each titled from the heart message that inspired them, I wrote the following poem:
Life and loss are filled with Artifacts of Love.
May Cascading Love and Mercy—Meet Us at the Horizon.
Everything Changes, so why not Bloom Now?
For this one Wild and Precious Life.
Be unsurprised by the Wild Edges of sorrow, that are Soul Carving.
You feel this because you are Exquisitely Alive.
Breathing through the discomfort you will Return Home.
Friend, this heartache is an invitation to Return to Your Original Cadence.
To discover that you Belong Everywhere.
To know that all Bliss is Momentary.
Fear not, Love will Return.
You will be Safe from Striving. You will Rest Here.
Peace is this Moment.
Where we Open Together,
Overflowing in Joy and Connection.
So, Be Here Now. Don’t miss it.
And if you do, don’t worry.
Everything is Possible.
The rhythms of day and seasons remind us.
There is the Inevitable Return of Light.
Let there be a Gentle Beginning,
Don’t seek out the fancy or profound.
Return to the Nobility of the Ordinary.
When darkness persists.
Continue to Wait for the Light.
You have a Beginner’s Mind.
You discover what it is to feel Joy Anyway, no matter your circumstance.
You Anticipate Beauty.
You are a Love Warrior.
You will bring Kindness in Times of Opening.
You will know True Joy as you Wake Up—Startled by Peace.
In this unexpected moment you will find you are Whole Unto Yourself.
Awe Everywhere.