I have a zing in my step as March comes to a close and April looms. How about you, was winter as creatively abundant for you too? While we had the longest, coldest, and most wet winter in many years here in Southern California, we now have green hills and plentiful poppies blooming everywhere. I spent a lot of time in the studio painting while the weather was bleak. Some days however, I had to get past, "I don't feel like creating," and I do that by  starting anything in my studio until I "do feel like it" happens again. Sometimes, simply washing old paint out of brushes or toning new canvasses in a cheery yellow ochre gets my hands moving toward mixing colors and starting a new painting. Try anything that works for you to get productive and headed toward your goals. The renewed color splash outside my door has reignited my quest for seeking new compositions and ideas. This is a most welcome respite after what we've endured in SoCal over the last two years and I'm feeling extra hopeful.

I am honored to be in several competitive group shows this spring: two pieces each in SIMPLY THE BEST II at the Thousand Oaks Civic Center's Fred Kavli Theatre Gallery, in Westlake Village Art Guild's Open Juried Show in Newbury Park, CA in April and at the S.P. Library for the Santa Paula Art Association's Open Juried Show, one of the oldest shows in the area. Viewing local exhibits might put some zing in your step too, art is restorative!

I stepped outside my comfort zone n March by agreeing to participate in Art Trek's recent Quickdraw fundraiser. A handful of local artists were asked to complete a painting in 90 minutes in front of hundreds of folks for an event that raised money to bring more art into our schools and to the public. It was SO FUN but honestly, when I was first asked I hesitated. After the event I was grateful my motto is"just say yes," prepare the best I can when asked to stretch my wings. Even if we have to fake it til we make it, it often works out, right?!

Lastly, I had the privilege this month of teaching watercolor to nine amazing young ladies who were fearless in their approach to create and they put even more zing in my step by reminding me to live in the moment. The best part was after they painted their strawberries and blueberries, they asked if they could eat the still life subjects. The answer of course was YES! Need some more inspiration? Check back with me soon for ways to get creatively inspired! I'm also preparing for a Santa Paula Sojourn exhibit in 2020 and I'll share more about that soon!