While spending time with my four-year-old granddaughter the other day, we were working a large-piece puzzle of the solar system. It was fun to separate the pieces into like colors and patterns and then assemble the puzzle. In all it took a good half hour upon completion, she stood back in fascination of the full beautiful image. And then, she ripped it all apart and started all over.

In that moment I realized that if I only had one canvas, I would probably do the same. While I love some of my completed pieces the interest and excitement comes from the process of creation. The challenge of using value and color to create an image is fascinating to me! Texture and pattern create another layer of wondering what it could add to the image I'm working on. How could I make it better? Is realism what I want to convey or is it the energy of the moment? Curiosity and critical thinking help me find new ways  to communicate! How fun, frustrating, lovely and challenging is that?!!!

So, I keep painting and I hope I keep finding new ways to create the moments and capture to charm-emotion-beauty-community of my world. I hope that you also find amazing hours spent practicing your craft as you express the world around you.