Summer Days…Drifting Away

The last couple days…I can feel it. Fall is on the way. The mornings are cooler. The hottest hot is over for us. The peaches are finally ripe. Local's summer is a season here. Locals. The people who live here. Not tourists and vacationers. It's our summer now. Families have all gone home. They might come for a weekend or something but the biggest part of the tourist season is behind us. It’s quieted down a bit and so a little less crowded and it makes more room for those of us who live here. The days still feel like summer, but all can feel the season fading. 

This is a time to be deeply enjoyed. My schedule is looser with more time for friends. Fewer deadlines. More exploration with my art. More swimming. I’m trying to make the most of every minute so I don’t get distracted and miss out. Fall is coming quick with winter right behind it and I still have several large paintings I want to do before the summer is over.

Everything has grown so much this year including me. This spring was so full that I finally have enough order in the studio to unpack everything I learned from all of that activity. I’m busy documenting important lessons so I don’t forget. I’m so pleased with the evolution of my art–it feels so good! Mostly I’m in awe of my collectors and what I’ve learned from them. What they share with me is so deeply moving and makes me realize the power of art in our lives in whole new ways.

It’s hard to remember that nothing lasts forever when we’re in the middle of it–whatever season we’re in, good or bad. It’s not always predictable what is coming next. I’m playing a lot, but I’m also preparing for whatever opportunities present next. I’m trying on some new ideas to see what feels right. I’m assessing my progress and how I’m sharing all that with you. I’m thinking about harvest and how to take advantage of all this work.

Ed has a couple more adventures up his sleeve for me and I can’t wait. I’m gonna bottle this magic right up! Literally! I recently thrifted some beautiful glass decanters and I’m visiting all my favorite water sources to collect water to use in my paintings this winter. Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Two Hearted River, and a few more. There’s a special magic in these waters. I want to have them with me. I’m going to try and make this season last.