A New Year

In January each year, I look back to look forward.  Last fall, my husband and I found ourselves back in Hope Valley near Lake Tahoe to take in the brilliant autumn golds shining against the dense, dark green pine trees and not too far away to take in the blue depths of Lake Tahoe.  I started this watercolor in the fall and finished it this week in the new year.

In the current January issue of Sunset magazine, there is a quote by Kaui Hart Hemmings (author of the book, "The Descendants"), "We are known for slack key guitar, which is appropriate." "Hennings writes of the spirit of aloha." "It means to loosen the key and that is what we are able to do while maintaining busy, productive lives."

Maybe this is the way to start the year, as I begin my renewed resolutions, begin them with new energy but maybe in a more relaxed way, also. Kitty Morgan, Sunset Magazine's editor-in-chief stated in this month's issue of Sunset- about her new year's resolution, "To loosen the key.  To enjoy the every day miracles around me."

I hope to explore and paint the natural world around me more this year.  And, also, this week I began a new experience by joining a great group of artists at the Sutter Street Artists Gallery in historic Folsom, CA.  I hope to learn from and share new experiences with this artist group  as we all begin this new season (www.sutterstreetartists.com).

Wishing you health and happiness in this new year.