I have been sick the last week which isn’t uncommon this time of the year for most folks, but I hardly ever get sick. I usually get about one cold a year and they are often a bit more mild. I felt like a whiner this last week because I wasn’t sure if I was exaggerating how bad I felt because of my lack of current experience with colds, but by the fourth day of barely doing anything other than computer work at home and laying around I realized I was truly feeling bad. I didn’t feel like painting much this week. I had a long lasting headache and when I tried to get creative I would get tired. My cold started to break on Friday and my head started to clear so I chose to start a mini-canvas to kickstart my creativity. It worked. I finished this piece up today, all the while feeling better and better. I still feel stuffed up but I was able to go outside to do some yard work for a short time after completing this guy.
It has been rather cold in Northern Minnesota the last few days as well (coinciding perfectly with all the colds going around – if you are feeling ill currently my condolences! This sucks.) It has been -20° at night and barely above 0° during the day and it is only supposed to get colder. Personally, I am fine with it. I know this is what Minnesota is like and I have a load of firewood for my small home. I love Minnesota through thick or thin, hot or frigid, but it does have my mind dreaming of warmer days and climates, someplace where this otter might live. The addition of the balloon makes this piece feel like a “get well soon” card, and – so – it is! A get well soon card for you! I hope you feel better and the cold doesn’t get you down too much.
This time of year is nice because it reminds us of how awesome the human spirit and body can be. If you can walk around in 0° temps and survive you are awesome! If you can fetch firewood in the evening when the temps are dipping down you are awesome! And you are also alive. Cold hands and rosy cheeks are just a cool reminder of that fact.
Another thing I am working on during these cold days is a newsletter. I have a plan to update this blog with writings about the creation process behind my work and I will also be maintaining a newsletter which I hope to be able to send out monthly. While the blog will give a very straight up description of the work the newsletter will include the more existential tidbits of my work that may seem too much to share with those who are just browsing my site here. The newsletter will delve into the thoughts and musings behind the work as it was created. If you have been thinking their may be a larger puzzle to the work I create (there is) or if you are interested in the inner most thoughts that go into/come out of the work that I create then the newsletter is for you. The newsletter will also include links to the blog and have a monthly rundown of completed work and upcoming events/ shows/ workshops all in one spot. You can subscribe here and then keep an eye out for my email in your inbox. I will not share your emails and you can unsubscribe at anytime. This is a no pressure newsletter 🙂
Alright, I am going to do some more painting now that my head is feeling better. It was so nice talking to you! I hope you get well soon and if you are already feeling well I hope that trend continues 🙂
