Best Laid Plans

January has really been a push pull month so far. I have been eager to start some new art projects now that the holidays are over, but non-art related matters have taken priority. As a result, I have a mix media sculpture to finish and plans incubating for gelatin monoprints waiting. The non-art load increased when two books that have been on my library list for months, arrived. They were Oprah’s book club choice, ‘The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”, and Good Morning America’s choice, “The Secret Lives of Bees”. With only two weeks to read them, I knew my short attention span would make this difficult! I chose “The Secret Lives of Bees” because of its smaller size and was happy that I did. I love southern stories and this one was so captivating and easy to read I managed to stay glued to it! The timing was perfect as the story, not entirely about civil rights, does evolve around it and prejudice. It made the historic inauguration of our new President Obama even more meaningful. I do not want to give too much of the plot away as I hope you will read it. As you can see, the story triggered my creative urge and I could not resist taking the time to create a digital collage and posting.

New Year, New Beginning?

I spent New Year’s Eve watching the wonderful movie, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend that you do and take a handkerchief with you. The makeup special affects and photography alone are worth seeing.

This movie had an emotional impact on me and prompted a mental review of my own life. I began to see how every event, conscious and unconscious choice had a reason that eventually determined the outcome of my life. Maybe not the way I would have liked or imagined it to be, but the healthiest conclusion considering the circumstances. This leads me to hope that the recent downturn in our economy may eventually prove to be the same. I am wishing everyone a “Happy New Year” toast for a positive outcome for the year ahead.