I missed posting last week, the Sunday before Christmas, because we were enjoying a wonderful holiday visit with my daughter and grandson.
Since then, Christmas has come and gone, the tree we cut down in the Ocala National Forest is becoming more fragrant daily as it becomes drier, and radio programs are beginning their “Looking back at…” and “Best of…” 2025 stories.
I am beginning to look ahead.
I have several projects in pieces on my worktable; I look forward to sharing them with you in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile….
I just want to share a pre-new-year thought with you:
RESOLUTIONS: DO NOT MAKE ANY
It’s tempting to embrace the beginning of the new year with resolutions of all kinds. More time to make art. More kindness to friends and family. Specific steps to improve your body or health.
These are all good things. But, to me, the concept of a resolution is doomed to fail. Resolve involves gritting your teeth and saying, “This time I’m really going to do it!”
I also want to change some things in my life and embrace the idea of newness. But I think there may be a better way.
GIFTS TO YOURSELF: YES. GIVE YOURSELF SOME
The same things that could be resolutions can be thought of as gifts to oneself, accepting things that you really want, that you may be passionate about. More time in the studio? Yes. Give yourself that gift. More kindness to friends and family? Yes. Give yourself that gift. Steps to improve your body and your health? Yes. Give yourself that gift.
Feeling that you HAVE to do something is one way of proceeding.
But feeling that you are receiving a gift is a whole different way of proceeding. It can allow you to experience deeper joy and meaning in your decisions.
My best wishes to you for the new year, sent with deepest appreciation for readers who follow along and offer their encouragement.
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EXHIBITS AND COMING EVENTS
In Ormond Beach, Florida . . . TRIO
through March 1, 2026
Ormond Memorial Museum of Art
my work, Three Yellow Doors, is part of this
SAQA juried regional exhibit
In Lewiston, Idaho . . .
SAQA GLOBAL – PRIMAL FORCES: FIRE
January 6 – March 28, 2026
Lewis & Clark State College
my work, Nothing Remains But the Loss, is part of this
SAQA juried Global exhibit
In DeLand, Florida . . . A SENSE OF PLACE
January 8 – March 30, 2026
City Commission Chambers, DeLand City Hall
my work, Escape to Quiet Waters, is part of this
Exhibition by members of ArtsEtc Surface Design Group
STUDIO TOUR – IN DELAND, FLORIDA
visit local artists’ studios and see how they work
Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8 10am – 5pm
information about the artists and map of studio locations:
www.artstours.org