The Hidden Gallery and Other Updates

I'm investing more time and energy in my physical fitness. This tends to go in phases, because I try too much too fast, hurt myself, and decide it's not worth it. Now that I've recognized the pattern, I'm starting again and forcing myself to start slow.

I swim about once a week for ten minutes. The whole way there, my self-talk isn't great. I don't want to go. Changing, swimming, cleaning up, and getting home is a whole process. Ten minutes of swimming takes me an hour.

But while I'm there, underwater, moving and breathing, I love it. I'm smiling, sometimes even giggling! Swimming is one of my favorite exercises, even if I have to talk myself into it every time.

Swimming

"Peek-a-Boo" by Nicole Hanson

Reading

Reading is one of my favorite activities. In the summertime, I indulge. I bring snacks and water and music out to my hammock and read in the sunshine with the wind blowing through my hair.

Currently, it's winter. I've considered bringing the hammock into the house to continue reading there, but I never actually do. I'm nervous there's bugs in the legs, and they'll "wake up" in the warmth. No thank you- bugs should stay outside.

In the winter, I like to pull up a fireplace on youtube and read while listening to the crackeling.

I've been working on a big reading project. I'm reading all the Newberry winning books, in order. I'm somewhere in the 1970s, which means I've read 50 Newberry winning books since 2019 when I started the project.

I also have some books checked out on ancient Chinese history. I've always been curious, so, last week, I decided to borrow a few books from the library. It's riveting! I can't wait to dig in more.

Gaming

With the Stardew Valley 1.6 update finally making its way to the Switch, I've been playing way more than might be responsible. I'm torn each evening about if I should read or play, and I swap back and forth.

If you're a Stardew Valley, you may be interested to know that I started with the river farm and the fish smoker. It's so fun! I just got my first cow, and I'm less than 10 donated items away from finishing the community center. Next time I play, it'll be 28 of fall.

Art

I've been keeping a secret. A pretty big one, too.

And while I'm not spilling the beans right now, I can't keep it to myself anymore, either! So here's a spoiler.

I'll release a series of 5 new paintings in January.

There will be owls. Barn owls, to be exact.

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In other news, the Holiday Bazars in Rochester MN have started. Saturday was the first of five shows, and it went great! It was very busy. I'll need to eat my snack before the show starts this week because I didn't have time for it last week.

For accountability, I'm letting you know that I'm planning to add more practice to my routine- both drawing and painting. Practice and experiment, to be exact. I don't know exactly what it will look like, but I know I want it to be about playing, having fun, and improving my skills.

Hidden Gallery

Previously unavailable originals are in my shop, now! The Hidden Galllery includes paintings I've created in the past 6 years. Some I have shared online or with email subscribers, and some have never been seen before.

More Updates

For the stories behind my art, to watch me grow as an artist, and for my musings about art and life, join my email newsletter for about one email a week.

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