I weathered the storms for decades. I have been in 50 mph winds with my paintings flapping around me like Dumbo’s ears getting ready to take flight. I have been pelted by hail while throwing my cover over the paintings to protect them. I have gotten heat exhaustion while sitting out on the street. I have been snowed on, rained on, blown over, whipped by sand and gravel and even had a cactus fall on me. Yes, I have done the outdoor art shows. This is how I made my living as an artist for many years. I am down to [...]

We all wish we could have the perfect job without having to commute to an office, the perfect body without having to workout and plenty of time and only joy. Well, that is a fantasy but there are some steps you can take to bump up your happy time by creating. You may be thinking, oh another 12-step program, but they do work. I know, I have followed one for 28 years. So here you go. 1. Take time to appreciate your accomplishments It may not look like you have accomplished a lot when you are only looking at a slice, but when [...]

This is one of my favorite things to begin the New Year with. There is no stress, no pressure, you don’t have to lose 10 pounds, give up your favorite splurge or even eat more kale, much to my husband’s delight. This New-New Year Ritual is the opposite of making New Year Resolutions. Resolutions usually involve giving something up or denying yourself of something you really, really like, and then they are gone almost as fast as the holiday cookies. Discovering your word or phrase for the year is about bringing something new into your life. It can be a new [...]