Reminders About Life and Art and Recommitting to Noticing and Savoring Joy

Today on my blog, I planned to share about the Winding Roads Art Tour, but as I was driving home on Sunday evening I realized I hadn’t taken a single photo all weekend.

I wanted to include photos of our art and of the landscape around Kathy’s home — the setting is beautiful (even a winding driveway with a bridge over a river) — but I was so wrapped up in the days that I didn’t take any photos, inside the studio or out.

Last year I blogged about Kathy Aaker and Deb Conlon, the two artists I was once again matched with this year. And then I wrote about the tour weekend (sharing the few photos I took).

I reread those posts and don’t think I have much more to add. I enjoyed spending time with Deb and Kathy and chatting with the tour visitors. (If you were able to come, I’m grateful, if not — because I know so many of you live far from me — I wish you could have).

I’m reminded again of how quickly time passes. How the big events we anticipate and work toward are here and gone in the blink of an eye.

At the beginning of last month I wrote,

Life continues to hurtle forward. It doesn’t allow for pauses. And we want to move on.

But I also want, or maybe I need, to pause for a bit.

And then in my most recent post:

Once the Winding Roads Art Tour is over and the flurry of spring gardening has slowed down, I hope to regain some of the creative spark I’ve been missing for months. I’m looking forward to making new art and working on new classes.

For now I’m trying to savor each day. Things change so fast once spring arrives… and I want to be in my garden so I don’t miss any of it.

Time never does slow down, but I’m trying to slow down. And I have been making a point to savor.

Little joys.

Little moments of delight.

It’s always a challenge.

Being present.

Being aware.

Slowing down enough to savor.

I’ve been spending as much time as I can in my garden. Noticing its gifts. Saying “Thank you” over and over again.

I have to remind myself (over and over again) that joy is a choice.

Life isn’t always joyful, but I can choose my focus. I can look for beauty and create it, too.

This week I brought my paints out to the patio, something I don’t normally do.

It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a painting and it felt wonderful to get back to it.

The process, as it always does, is bringing me so much joy.

Walking around the garden cutting flowers for inspiration.

Mixing paint.

Sketching.

I mentioned in my garden tour video that I’m moving my studio to the first floor and we’re adding a door from it into my garden. While I lugged my art supplies from my current upstairs studio to the patio this week, taking many trips up and down the stairs and through the whole house, excitement bubbled up at the thought of my new space.

Although I am disappointed we’re not moving, I’m grateful for the changes we’re making. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut. To stop imagining creative solutions to little irritations. Lately I’m looking at everything in my life and wondering what I might do differently.

I’m remembering, again, how even little shifts and changes can make a big difference.

One of the things that struck me as I prepared for the Art Tour, is how much I love my art, how much it brings me joy.

Talking with the people who visited our stop, I was reminded how my joy ripples outward when I share it.

I’m grateful for these reminders.

And so, I continue to slow down. More and more each day.

Paying attention.

Savoring.

And coming back to myself.

Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth. Nature gets a fresh start. And we can, too.

Although time continues to hurtle forward, I’m not going to rush anything.

In what ways are you giving yourself a fresh start this season?