Seeking Enlightenment

The end of my time as Artist-in-Residence for the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville coincides with another ending. My internship at Down to Earth Farm has come to a close.

Gardening and art always invite me to be in the present moment. Hours pass without ever knowing how long I have been working. In the latest painting of my most recent series, The View From Here #4: The Garden Wall (Oil on canvas 40×30 inches), I used a number of different shaped palette knives and a brush.

It has been four months since I decided to leave my job and be a farm intern while following my creative calling to paint. In the past, I took pride in being able to accomplish a lot in a small space of time.

My 91-year-old mother is a musician. She played piano and organ at our church in New Philadelphia, Ohio until Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of her abilities.

As the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville season comes to a close, so does my time as Artist in Residence. The past year has given me great memories, new relationships, and the opportunity to develop new skills as an artist.

Last week I finished a painting and could not think of a title that fit. So I decided to engage my social media audience and invited them to suggest a name.