The past week was one of organization and tidying up - a routine I go through before starting a new series of artwork. Paintings were delivered and picked up from all the galleries I currently display in, supplies were restocked etc. My 'other life' (the gardener, homemaker, wife, mom) had a lot of demands to be filled as well. Many hours were spent pulling weeds, transplanting plants, stocking the fridge, freezer and cupboards for the upcoming entertaining season and the last 'job', that of painting doors and trim and washing all the windows will be done today.

All the while I have been cooking ideas in my head for new artwork. Etching has been calling to me and I am going to experiment with combining non-toxic etching with an aluminum plate and copper sulphate solution and a collagraph plate. I want to have some fine detail and the loose, abstract qualities of a collagraph together in one print. The preliminary drawing is done and Monday will be the start day. I am also feeling the need to include some realism in my plates probably influenced by all the flowers, birds and beautiful scenery which surrounds me. I'm not keen on snowscapes so the winter months are more about abstracts.

I was walking on the market in downtown Ottawa yesterday after delivering some paintings to a gallery and out of the corner of my eye I caught a familiar movement. It was a flourish of a hand that I knew so well it stopped me in my tracks. I turned and there was a face under a green baseball cap that I hadn't seen for years and was so delighted to see. Wilma Pinkus, my very first art teacher/mentor with her watercolours painting away in the crowded, bustling market scene she loves so well! The coincidence of finding her there made my day! After catching up on the last 15 years or so I was on my way with a renewed sense of joy from seeing an old friend in the total bliss of doing what she loves so well and truly living in 'the now'.