Calm Waters

Well now, October. Despite the shorter days in the northern hemisphere and the cooler weather I am finding myself unaccountably uplifted. Maybe it's the proximity of my online class in Hot Wax that starts in a little over a week. Setting up the Yahoo group and hearing the introductions. Picturing people in other states and countries who are as excited as I am about 4 weeks of waxy adventure. 

I only have a couple more video demonstrations to tape and have already composed the first 3 lessons. That's how excited I am. All this in my sweat pants and oversized fleece shirts. Cozy like. This is the life.

While I was hunting for something else I came across my travel journal from a trip to Japan taken back in 1979. I remember sitting in front of the Todaiji temple painting this monochromatic watercolor. That was my first travel outside of the U. S.; a solo trip with only a few changes of clothes and very little money to spend. I remember the crying of crows everywhere and music wafting in from a nearby conservatory. My faithful travel companion was my journal. 

Writing, thinking, making stuff up. 

Refusing to live in "their" world, I decided to create my own.

Thank you Steve, for making all of our lives more connected. Thank you for 5 computers, an iPhone, 2 iPods and iPad. For allowing me to work at home in my jammies. For bringing me news and beauty from all over the world. We live in a time of miracles and awesome technology. For artists this is a freedom and an enrichment.