February 2025

Where do I even start? I got home yesterday from the Wekiva Paint Out. This was my first true plein air invitational event. There were several top of the top tier artists in this event, so it means a lot to be included in such a talented field of painters. Over the years I’ve read a LOT about mindset and preparation. My man Robert Greene, author of Mastery, is almost always my go-to for help in this area. As is Ryan Holiday. Both authors remind us that there is no sense in worshipping people who are more widely known (celebrities, athletes, etc) because essentially we are all just people. And most people carry their own brand of insecurity no matter how experienced, famous or talented they are. 

I’ve seen everyday painters swoon and fall all over themselves when they meet well known plein air artists. They think that these artists have special DNA or super powers. The truth is that these artists have just worked their asses off day after day, week after week, year after year. So when I am around them, I do not treat them special or different. I treat them like they’re normal human beings - because that’s what they are! And fortunately I’ve been on both sides of plein air events, as an artist and a volunteer, so I feel like I can easily find common ground.

I drove down to Florida last Sunday and that night we had our kick off dinner and reception. Many of the artists have participated year after year and they made a point of introducing themselves and making me feel welcome. Everyone was so kind and sincere. On Monday we woke up to cold and rain, so we went over to the mess hall (Wekiva Springs State Park was home base), set up our easels and painted from the windows, set up still lifes or painted from photo references. By late Tuesday afternoon the rain and cold passed thru and we enjoyed warm sunshine and blue skies for the remainder of the week. 

On Wednesday morning we got up early and went over to Wekiva Island (just down the road from the state park) and spent about 2.5 hours being filmed by Fox 35 Orlando for their Good Morning Orlando show. 

With Fox 35 for Good Morning, Orlando!

Thursday we spent the day at Rock Springs State Park, which was breathtaking. I felt like I was in a different country. What a gorgeous place to paint!

Painting at Rock Springs with my girl

Saturday night was the big gala, and Sunday morning I was up and out by about 6:30 a.m., headed back to Atlanta. Every night before I went to bed I sat down with my paper calendar and jotted down notes from the day: what went well, what didn’t go well, what I learned, how I felt, ideas to follow up on, etc. This week I’ll spend time reviewing those notes and making a plan for improvement.

I take painting very, very seriously because I’ve waited so long to do this and it is so important to me to get it right. Yes, of course, I’ll make mistakes along the way, but I’m not going to repeat those same mistakes. Each event, every outing is an opportunity for me to learn and grow. Anytime someone offers advice, I listen. I may not agree, but I’ll say thank you and sort it all out later. 

One of the most helpful conversations I had was with Jeremy. He paints tight, using tiny brushes. In the plein air world, that makes him a rebel. I asked him if people told him he needed to loosen up and use big brushes. Of course, he said, YES! And he said that he tried to change but quickly realized that was not who he was as a painter. He told me that no one says that to him any more :) That really hit home for me. I have people tell me all the time how I should paint (usually unsolicited) and it drives me crazy. I listen politely, but honestly, I’m gonna do what I’m gonna do. Jeremy and I had several conversations that were extremely helpful. He might be one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. So quiet, humble and unassuming but an absolute badass.

I keep going back to my mantra : there is more than one way to do something. And just because your way is different than my way, it doesn’t make either one of us wrong. We should embrace each other’s differences, celebrate them, in fact. (Another Robert Greene theme!) I think one of the worst things you can do is try to make another artist bend to your way. What if you keep someone from being different, unique, and expressing themselves in a way no one’s seen before? 

This week will be one of reflection. I’m tired but inspired. I’m smarter than I was before I left but also confused about a few things. I’m hopeful but also a little fearful. It’s just a big ol mix of emotions, but I think that’s normal after a significant life event. 

With Michelle and Elizabeth, my roommates ❤️ 

Don’t know what I would do without Michelle. She is the brightest light, not just for me, but so many others. I love watching the effect she has on those around her. It’s inspiring for sure. I think there was at least one point in every day where I laughed til I cried. 

IN OTHER NEWS

I finished a commission for a new collector and began a new painting for him. He’s so much fun to work with and he’s even enrolled in my plein air workshop in Eatonton on May 3.

My pottery skills are definitely improving. I made a bird and a fish and they look soooooo cool! I’ve already signed up for my next round of classes, even though I’ll have to miss a few.

We wrapped up a 5-week Drawing Fundamentals session in Acworth and a new session begins this Wednesday. 

I’ve turned in a bunch of paintings to Wild Oats and Billy Goats in Decatur! They’re so nice and easy to work with. Hopefully we can get a few sales shortly.

One of my pastels was accepted into the latest Southeastern Pastel Society Show. They won’t let me post pictures until after the reception. 

Our docent crew visited the Coca Cola private art collection. My favorite piece, an Egon Schiele work, was displayed in the far top left corner of the employee cafeteria. I don’t know why you gotta put the masterpiece in the far, dark corner of a basement cafeteria. Good Lord, that piece should be front and center.  

HOUSTON

Scott and I went to Houston the weekend before Valentine’s Day. It was my gift to him, and it felt great to be able to do something like that with the money I’ve earned from my sales. It was such a fun weekend. We stayed at Hotel Zaza, which is in the middle of the Houston Museum District. We went to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Collection, the Contemporary Museum of Art, the Rothko Chapel and the Cullen Sculpture Garden (no relation). We had great Tex Mex and Oaxacan food and walked almost everywhere. It was perfect.

On the flight home we watched the Super Bowl and while I could care less about the game, there was one moment that caught my attention … during the game there was a player on the sidelines reading a book. Our feed was in and out because we were mid-flight, but I googled the book and ordered it. It’s called Inner Excellence, and it might be my new favorite book! It’s in the same vein as Robert Greene and Ryan Holiday’s books. I’ve only read a few chapters, but it was invaluable to me during Wekiva. I highly recommend it. 

OTIS and JUJU

After two weeks of sheer misery, our JuJu appears to be making a comeback. The medication they gave him actually made him worse, so we stopped that and things quickly began to turn around. He is still under weight, but we are working on bulking him back up to the chonk monster he used to be. Bless his sweet little heart. As usual, Otis is sticking to my like glue now that I’m home. 

COMING UP in MARCH

Pottery class, docent shifts and training, andddddd my workshop with Larry Moore in Charleston. Eeeeks! Jeremy texted Larry and told him to look out for me. How nice was that? I can hardly wait for that workshop.