What else can we do? Looking forward to mounds of daffodils and hopefully apple  blossoms. Spring is almost behind me.

Great news. Kyle and my second book is available, Hiking the Grand Mesa is another Clementine adventure. This adventure is in the dobies at the foot of the Grand Mesa, and beyond. Geared for the young, 5-8 year-old's, it follows the adventures of Clem, the  rescue dog, and her boys as they climb through the adobe hills and the Grand Mesa. Hiking the Grand Mesa is available at Amazon, or at LovingHealingPress.  Our publisher, Victor Volkman, is terrific to work with. Kyle, as always, is my super Son, and the adorable Clem and her adorable boys, make it fun to illustrate their adventures.  Enjoy. 

With the uncertainty of our planet's health, and ours, I have been painting to the interior. 'The Kiss' is a loose reference to Gustav Klimt, as will be the Reinventions for the Grand Mesa Art and Entertainment Center here in Cedaredge. Hopefully I'll have photos to share of my contributions soon. 

THE KISSAN ABSTRACT STUDY OF ACRYLIC, USING TEXTURE AND LAYERS Until then, stay safe. Create. Remember, Isaac Newton was discovering gravity while staying at home during the Spanish Flu epidemic. So go ahead. Create and discover.

I ignored my goals in 2019. I did not post weekly. Or even monthly. I have no excuses. I just didn't get to it. I painted. I exhibited at the Apple Shed and the Creamery. I painted plein aire. I painted watercolor and pastel. I illustrated another children's book to go to press in February, 2020. Acrylic was fun to explore a little, and yet the website I ignored.

To be honest it may have to do with the political climate, which I  find disturbing. I don't want to offend anyone so I say little here. I tend to stay close to people with common attitudes. I am a voter of the issues. All of my issues; education, women's rights, health and social fairness, have crumbled or been buried  I don't believe the things I see written. How can we have so little respect for others?  Perhaps I should paint political issues. Perhaps I should state my beliefs in crusading fiery large oils and collage. Yet I love the landscape. I treasure snow and water. I feel the soft tangible love of pets, dogs, cats and horses. 

I will try harder. I will make an effort to say something of value. I love it when people say they like my work, the dogs and people make them smile. I want to paint something that makes them feel. I want to paint something that makes people try. What? Try to be better. Try to love more. Try to imagine and achieve. Try to make this world better for everyone.  Too philosophic? Maybe. I'll try to show how even the pine and the spruce can love each other. Tristan and Isolde

plein aire in pastel  TRISTEN AND ISOLDE

I'll try to accept challenges such as Creek Running Hard, pastel

CREEK RUNNING HARD I'll try to set goals that are positive. Prairie Dogs from Clementine in the Dobies, watercolors, goes to print soon. Another one is in the works for the third Clementine book from Kyle Torke and myself. He writes, I illustrate.. 

PRAIRIE DOGS LovingHealingPress is the publisher.

Whatever happens in 2020, I refuse to look at a glass half empty. Lets go for adding joy and enthusiasm for truth and justice in any way we can. Join me?

Happy 2020

Santa is holed up in Florida now, in a hammock with a tiny rum and coke. His red sandals have bells on the heels and his toes twinkle with glitter. 
 

The reindeer are back on the tundra telling whoppers about where they flew, and their run-ins with satellites and drones. They're whinging because Rudolf got them lost over Bermuda and Blitzen found a penguin in Antartica he wanted to bring home.

I'm settling into my desk chair and skipping my way through ideas and projects. What to do first? So here goes. I hope your holidays are great and your new year exactly what works for you.