My thanks to artist
Deborah Colter for giving me permission to share her art and thoughts for the New Year:
The Rooms of Our Lives We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential. -Ellen Goodman
"Without a Doubt" 36" x 48" work on canvas As we come to the end of another year it seems only natural to reflect, to walk through the rooms of our lives looking things over. I always like to look back, to acknowledge events of the waning year and make mental notes of it all. In our house there has never been a desire for the crazy partying that seems to accompany this night. Instead, a nice dinner, a bottle of wine or champagne, my husband’s favorite home made clam dip and a fire. I have to admit, I have not seen the midnight hour on New Year’s Eve in quite sometime and that is really fine with me. 2009 has had its ups and downs- this decade has sure had its ups and downs! Making resolutions never worked well for me, it always felt very superficial and forced. I much prefer “not looking for flaws, but for potential”. I don’t expect to wake up in 2010 a different person than I am in 2009 - I can only continue to do the best I can “to rise above the little things”, and trust the journey… As I count my own blessings I want to thank you all for being a part of my world. May the new year bring us all Peace, Prosperity and Paintings! “One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things.” - John Burroughs
I agree, I sell gourds, quite a challenge in this economy. In the Spring of 2009 I was feeling I may have to get a "real job". Then oh my gosh, I will be 60 at the end of the year, what would I do? I have been on the show curcuit for 30 years. I prayed, "Lord send me a sign. I will be glad to get a job, but I love my work, the travel, the people, my "family of artists on the road", the solitude in my studio during the week. But oh, the economy, PLEASE send me a sign." Well I got to the St Augustine show and one of my first customers asked about my two largest pieces, one was quoted at 350.00, and the other, 600.00, "I'll take that one" she said. I said "Thank you LORD". Then at the awards ceremony I won Best of Show. Well I no longer worry, I just keep weaving on those gourds. Put those high show fees on the credit cards and do the best I can. That is all any of us can do. It is a gift to love what we do, so keep up the great artwork and enjoy the ride.
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