Of Brushstrokes, Blooms, and Biewers.

Brushstrokes, Blooms, and Biewers to begin a new season…

The first week of September always brings about a gentle shift in the air. Summer’s intense heat dissipates at least a little. A comforting rhythm settles in much like it used to, dare I say it, in my classroom. It’s a time for easing into new routines isn’t it? Gretchen Rubin says it best - "September is the other January."

And so, I thought of something new I might do here on my website. I am publishing a once-in-a-blue-moon photo of myself next to a work in progress that I have shared on a few social media sites.  I rarely post photos of myself since I prefer to let my brushstrokes, blooms, and pet portraits speak for me – and they are far more eloquent than I am, especially before 10am! (before the caffeine from two cups of morning coffee has kicked in).

If we have never met, here are a few fun facts about me to break the ice:

• I am shy and quiet…unless you mention art or Rosie, my very stubborn and overly spoiled Biewer. Well, actually, any dog talk at all will break the ice. I meet so many

  

  lovely people when I walk my Rosie around the streets close to home. Dog chat and art talk are like conversational “cookies”. Little bites are best as I try not to overwhelm people with my enthusiasm.

• In a previous chapter in my life, I was a high school teacher. I survived grading hundreds of increasingly illegible essays, not to mention incoherent thoughts, too many of the same spelling errors to count, and so many, many hormonal teens over the decades. (Oh, my gosh! Like really? Yes, really!). I traded that structured life (bells, report cards, etc.) for a life of paintbrushes and experimentation with different media and subjects – no detention slips in sight.
• Joining a community choir was a brave leap, but I took it three years ago. I found it nerve-wracking and challenging – much like the way I sometimes felt about teaching! Hitting the notes wasn’t necessarily the hardest part. With time, and shared harmonies, I feel more connected to choristers as we share laughs as well as a few frustrations.

Getting into my creative  groove.

If you follow me on social media, you know that I hit pause for the first time in ages as we settled into our newly built home.

I am slowly getting back into the art room. In my new home, my art room is on the main floor rather than in the basement and I feel quite spoiled. So perhaps I should now call it my studio...

You might have noticed that I am spending less time scrolling on social media. Don’t worry if you see fewer comments from me in your feed…I am just spending more time enjoying my home, meeting people, practicing for weekly choir sessions, or talking to my Rosie or my canvases!

I would love to hear from you...How do you feel about September and the end of summer? What activities have you planned for fall?

Selected quotes celebrating September.

September the golden threshold between summer and winter. - Meeta Ahluwalia.

 

The old summer's end melancholy nips at my heels.  There's no school to go back to; no detail of my life will change the onset of September; yet still I feel the old trepidation. - Sara Baume.

 

There comes a day each September when you wake up and know the summer is over and fall has arrived. - Ann Rinaldi

 

September! I never tire of turning it over in my mind.  It has warmth, depth, and colour. It glows like old amber.