It’s been a cold week here in Maryland, and even as I write this, flurries are gently falling. We’re not having any sticking snow, but it’s been nice to watch little flakes flutter out of my studio window this morning. I wish we had more snow! When we moved here from Minnesota, everyone commented on how happy we must be to leave those winters behind. In truth, I mourn Minnesota winters. I loved having snow on the ground all winter, and I miss it. So, I’m over here rooting for at least one big snow event this winter. That is not happening today, though, or anytime in the current forecast.
What we did have today, though, was sunshine! It was the first time the sun had come out in days. I do so much of my work in natural light – painting and photography specifically – that it starts to become a real problem when it’s cloudy and dark for days on end. I got out my camera and took pictures of our Christmas decor to share here on the blog. I also photographed some paintings to send to clients for approval. I’m also about ready to go to the easel to paint by studio lights mixed with natural light. You wouldn’t think it would make that big of a difference, but I feel like I see color much better when I have a mix of natural and artificial light. So, I’m thankful for the sun today.
Here are my four things for the week: Love, War & Impressionism, Northwoods Survival, writing your own reference book, and the finish line to Christmas.
what I’m reading
One of my blog readers recommended Paris in Ruins, and I started listening to the audiobook this week. when I’m at the easel. It is so good! It follows the impressionist painters before and during (and I’m assuming after) the Franco-Prussian War. I’ve known of some of the stories and events from reading other books about Impressionism and Impressionist artists, but I have learned so much more about their relationships and about the siege of Paris. I love reading historical non-fiction and learning about art and artists, so this book is right up my alley. (If you like audiobooks, the reader is very good as well.)
what I’m watching
Jeff and I love a good survival show. He likes watching the outdoorsy stuff, and I like watching the creativity. He wants to watch them swing the ax and build the cabin. I want to see how they make it all beautiful, how they fill their free time, and what projects make them excited. We stumbled upon the first season of Northwoods Survival by National Geographic (available on Hulu/Disney+), and loved it! The show follows people living off-grid in four different locations in Northern Canada. There is no contest or one person pinned against another. The conflict is in man against self and man against nature.
The contestants are knowledgeable, likely, and interesting to follow. One woman, Margot, is super impressive! I have to keep making comments aloud to Jeff about her because I’m constantly amazed at her bravery, knowledge, and calm in such a harsh environment. She looks like she should be a Calvin Klein model or something, and instead, she is very comfortable hunting, trapping, building a log cabin from found materials, and living alone in the Yukon.
what I’m loving
On expectation, from Art & Fear…
“The place to learn more about your materials is in the last use of your materials. The place to learn more about your execution is in your execution. The best information about what you love is in your last contact with what you love. Put simply, your work is your guide – the complete, comprehensive, limitless reference book on your work. There is no other such book, and it is yours alone. “
I’ve been feeling that a lot in my oil painting lately. Something in this last year clicked for me in a way it hadn’t before. It’s nothing I read in a book (although I’ve read a bunch of books on art), nothing I learned in a class, but it’s something I experienced slowly over the hours I’ve put in at the easel, with the palette, with my paints, and brushes. I’m learning how to speak in my own vocabulary. I’m learning how to see nuances and trust my intuition on how to show them in color.
I think I’ll always want to grow and improve, but I feel like I’m hitting my stride.
what I’m working on
I have one final commission to paint today and one more to make some minor adjustments to, and then I am through with commissioned Christmas paintings! It’s been good for me to push through to meet a deadline, but I am excited about painting different subjects and experimenting more as I get paintings ready for my next original art sale and licensing. I also have lots of planning for 2026 ahead, a summer book launch, another manuscript due, and new ideas to pursue.
But, for now, I am just trying to finish decorating the house for Christmas…
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on?