Stitches

After a lengthy and unplanned break from art, I have made my way back into the studio.  Earlier this week I delved into the art journal project.  I tore down watercolor paper, folded and stitched it and have a lovely and stark white blank art journal.  My sister had a fun idea of each of us doing the artwork on our respective journals, then swapping them for the other to do the writing, and finally returning them so that we each have a shared project.  I love the idea!  Tomorrow I start on painting the pages.

Sewing is always my fall-back stress reliever, great when I feel panic from deadlines or just cranky from having a teenager.  Ha.  Today I worked on a quilt until my back screamed from bad posture.  Regardless of the discomfort, I continue to find time at the machine or pinning or just cutting to be so relaxing.


The best artsy moment of the day came with the delivery of a wonderful painting.  Last year, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful day at the Laguna Arts Festival in Laguna Beach.  As I turned a corner, moving from one artist's work to another, I was stopped in my tracks at the sight of a large painting.  I was quite literally and inexplicably moved to tears.  It took a moment to place the subject, the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.  I have only been to the pier twice and can't figure out why it moved me so but for the sheer beauty of the piece.  Alas, the painting was unaffordable for us at the time and, sadly, we had to walk away from it.  Here we are one year later, and my husband surprised me with the news that he hunted down the artist, called her, and found that the painting was unsold and sitting wrapped up in storage.  The painting was delivered today.  I have a lovely addition to artwork in my home, all of which I'm so happy to look at every day.  Every piece of art in my home has deep meaning to me, beyond just the pleasure of the visual.  I am proud to call some of the artists represented my friends, and I am grateful to be surrounded by inspiration to be creative.

Today, I am the proud owner of April Raber's painting entitled "Mandala."