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This morning I received a call from the young woman who house sits for us in Florida in exchange for laundry and swimming privileges. And also because we have become friends through a spiritual group we both joined. Our air conditioner there isn't working. She had already checked the obvious things to no avail. After a phone call to Mike who called “our” HVAC guys in Florida (met through a neighbor and friend introduced to us by our dogs) arrangements were made to have it checked and repaired if need be, and we have gone about our day.

Because time has slowed for me these past few weeks as I recover from a surgery, I had time to think. And what came to mind was how this little experience stayed right sized because of the connections with others that Mike and I bring to our relationship, as well as those we form together. Because we reach beyond our partnership to connect with others and bring them into our lives in positive ways, we have people we help and people who help us. We have harmony and peace and joy we would not otherwise have. Mike is especially gifted in this area and I benefit over and over from the generous acts he has done for others and the relationships he continues to nurture from years past. He is an example for me.

So why oh why am I including this in my art blog, a blog that has been sadly neglected for months? Let's discover that together because as I write this I'm not entirely certain!

What I do know is that in my art world this summer the activity has certainly not been a stereotypical “solitary artist” season.

In May, a friend and I met to brainstorm how to revive a local plein air movement and since that time I have painted outdoors one, two, even three times weekly with some amazingly kind and committed folks most of whom I had never met. This led to even more connections as I talked with people I didn't know to gain access to beautiful local venues, to set up a small exhibit for our group, to expand our group's visibility. It's been a joyful painting summer.

In another example, connections from a decade ago led a dear friend (who currently lives in North Carolina and who is the most talented mixed media and paper artist ever) came to Florida and did a mini-workshop for me and a friend that she met through me. As a result, when I wasn't painting this summer I was creating in this medium and adding it to my joyful, chaotic studio space. And texting back and forth with my Florida friend with ideas and supply lists for us. And in talking with one of my new plein air friends who is also into saving little bits of whatever for its future possibilities, I believe I have another potential deepening friendship in the making.

Connections come tumbling to mind, how I ended up having the time of my life providing a kids Art Camp for my granddaughter and friends, why we have someone to pick our mail when we are gone, how our hail damaged roof came to be noticed and repaired, the reason I have an artist friend who is a great traveling companion to a distant workshop, someone with whom to share dog sitting in Florida, a group to practice portrait painting this winter.

Harmony is one the important principles in art and it has to do with relationships between color hue, color temperature, values, content. I have recently been trying to be more attentive to how each shape and color I lay down impacts the one next to it. Does it draw attention or quiet a section? Does it add to or reduce a sense of lightness? Does it jar or smooth, bring softness or an edge? Does it enhance or detract?

Just a few of the questions that again bring me to the conclusion that my art reflects what I am to attend to in my life's journey. Am I paying attention to the connections I am making and could be making? In those connections am I a part of building the harmony? Do I participate in both give and take? Am I intentional about using harmonious relationships to bring a higher quality of life to my family and friends, my community, our world?

May you appreciate and create harmony in art and life!
Love, Cindy