While I have fallen in love with painting- no questions asked, no regrets, and no fears for the future, I regularly encounter challenges.  Mainly, these are around finding the time and energy to devote to painting.  After several days or even, sometimes, a week or two of not painting, it is difficult to decide to paint again.  I work a full-time job;  have teen daughters, a husband, family and friends; I am in two monthly book clubs; I volunteer with several organizations; and sometimes I just need to do nothing (which could involve tv or games on the iPad).  But then, there are days that have been spent running in many directions, yet I am still drawn to the canvas and suddenly I am engulfed with color and texture and emotion and am creating something new.   

How do I find that inspiration?  There are a couple of things that help:  

- I use the downtime to get inspired.  I look at the work of some excellent photographers on Instagram and reach out for permission to paint when I really want to try to capture someone else's work on a canvas.  

- I have the space ready for me.  I am fortunate enough to have a finished 3rd floor at my house that serves as my studio.  I have dedicated space that invites me to visit and comfortable furniture when I need to step away from it for a minute or two.  

- I travel.  One of the things that motivate me most to paint is to capture somewhere that I have been.  My family has committed to travelling, which may mean putting other things off, while we are all together as a unit.  I know that my daughters are growing up fast and I want them to have memories of our time together in amazing places.  Yes, that means that my kitchen is outdated and my deck is still ridiculously tiny, but we have these moments that are magic.

- I continually learn from other artists.  I take classes, I keep my mind open, and I ask for feedback.  I am amazed at how much I have learned from others over the last few years.  

One great example of that last bullet involves a weekend away at Shenandoah Art Destination a few weeks ago.  I learned from the excellent Jan-Willem Boer.  It was a beautiful autumn weekend and when Jan offered the opportunity to do a little plein aire painting, I jumped at it.  Did I mentioned that I have painted in plein aire maybe twice, ever, and that it was right outside my door?  Well, I was dropped off... ALONE... to paint... in the most amazing settings ever.  And I painted and painted and painted, loving every moment of it.   The Shenandoah Valley in autumn is a sight to behold.  I also met some wonderful people, enjoyed eating and drinking and laughing with new friends and feeling like a little more majic had just happened.  

I hope you enjoy these photos of my weekend and a few of my finished works. 

Ronda