Saturday, December 23, 2006

And so it begins!

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn whatever state I am in, therein to be content." - Helen Keller

Winter solstice! It's my favorite day of the year, and not just because we're getting a few more moments of light each day (although that is an important factor). Some years ago another artist friend and I began to put our goals in writing, and we chose the winter solstice as our day to get together and share our plans.

At first it was a casual excuse to get together for coffee and dream up big ideas, but over time it has become an important ritual. In the often crazed pre-holiday weeks of December, I enjoy taking a few quiet moments to look over the previous year's goals, to celebrate what I did accomplish, and to review what I didn't. Life is unpredictable and plans change, of course, but it feels good to begin the new season with ideas pinned to the wall.

So my list is made, and already it's evolving! Just yesterday I added a new exhibition to my spring schedule, at cultureclash gallery in Salida, and a new illustration client. I can't wait to get started.

There's new work drying on the rack, too: little linocuts of coastal pines from my Artist-in-Residence tenure at Acadia National Park last year. Despite our arid climate, the last color is taking an inordinate amount of time to dry. Maybe it's the foot of snow we received this week, just in time for the arrival of winter. I think tomorrow it's a return to the brush... there's an image of shadows on snow flitting around the corners of my vision. Time to pin it to the wall, too.

7 comments:

  1. Yes...it begins! Congratulations. Thanks for sharing this site with me. As a former Solstice planner, I appreciate your comments and your work! See ya...

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  2. **The details of your winter solstice ritual has been forwarded to Focus on the Family and the Dept. of Homeland Security for analysis. Have a Merry Christmas.**

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  3. Anon E. Mouse, I know who you are, and I know where to find you. I can pin you to wall, too.

    SY

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  4. Geez, Sherrie. Anonymous don't even know subject-verb agreement.

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  5. Oh no, does this mean that the ritual of the grail is no longer part of the time-honored tradition of the solstice?

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  6. Ah, The Grail Ritual took place earlier in the year. But recent discussions have suggested that perhaps it will be renewed. Willst thou attend, Oh Lost One?

    SY

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  7. Hey! My birthday is on the Solstice and I can assure you the "grail" was put to good use.

    Nice site Sherrie! Good work as always.

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Linocut in Progress: The Third Act

Time to wrap up this linocut ! And we are wrapping at warp speed (see what I did there?)... because there are deadlines. Exhibition deadline...