Happy Winter!

Dear Creative Community,

Happy Winter!

In our common calendar, the new year begins in winter. It is a time of cozying up and hunkering down. It is a time to pause and recharge.

I identify with Leo Lionni’s story, Frederick, about a mouse collecting colorful pictures and poems to sustain the community through winter’s cold, dark days. I am reflecting on the colorful moments of the past few months.

Frederick, by Leo Lionni

Like Frederick and his appreciation of the world’s beautiful, natural colors, I cherished the serendipitous sighting of the Northern Lights in Westhampton. With OOOs and AHHHs my family drove to the darkest field to view the gorgeous lights.

I also savored teaching a watercolor workshop to a group of local creatives as we explored the colors of pressed fall leaves on a snow day in December.

I celebrated my critique partner and friend, Carol Munro, at her book launch party. Check out this beautiful story of enduring commitment. Springtime Storks is a gorgeous story that gives us a peak into spring.

Let us do as Frederick does.

What colorful memories sustain you in the winter months?
What colorful thoughts do you have for the coming spring?

Be Creative,

Mary

Happy Autumn!

Dear Creative Community,

Welcome to my seasonal newsletter. Here I will share with you creative endeavors, community events, and artful inspirations. I hope you will join me on our journey to be creative and contemplative creatures.

This autumn I find myself collecting. I am collecting acorns for the upcoming Fall Festival Fairy House build. I am collecting leaves for an upcoming workshop I’ll be teaching on watercolor and color theory. And I am collecting reference photos—so many reference photos— because I can’t help but pull over the car and pull out my camera (like Mary Jo—see more on that later) when I spot an elegant old tractor or sweet, sweet donkey as I drive around soaking in the gorgeous autumn days.

This October I also celebrated of the book release of my creative colleague and critique partner, Ellen Cohen, at the Silver Unicorn, local indie bookstore and home base for one of my favorite kid lit writers, Casey Robinson! Congratulations Ellen!

The Annual Fairy House build is a magical tradition at the local Fall Festival (along with the super fun Pumpkin Roll!). Here is a photo from last years’ build.

And squirrels! So many squirrels. My dog is vocally letting me know that they are in our yard, on the cherry trees, around the garden, jumping through leaves and busy, busy, busy. So I am sharing the excitement (bark, bark, bark) by painting some feisty squirrels it into my watercolor work.

And last, but not least, I want to share a gorgeous book with you, Still: The Art of Noticing by Mary Jo Hoffman. This is a book that honors and celebrates the power of dailyness. Mary Jo committed to taking one elegant photograph of nature every…single….day for over a DECADE. The practice in both its mindfulness and routine creates a work of art bigger than the sum of its parts. It is a reminder that what you do everyday is what you do with your life.

So let’s celebrate this time of reflection and collection. What small act do you do daily that builds to a powerful whole?

Be Creative,

Mary