Spring is full of them, fresh shoots, the most brilliant greens on tender leaves, and lots and lots of rain again this year if you live here in the Puget Sound region. I've been sharing my studio table with flowers and vegetable starts for the past two months, and both they are I are anxious to relocate into their soft earth home outside.
Here it is May 31st, and still the temps drop into the forties at night, not a great environment for the warm loving tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. But I'm putting them outside anyway, with the hope they'll find their way to health, beauty and abundance. This is only part of my brood, lots of planting to do in the coming days once they're hardened off.
And new beginnings for my pregnant daughter Heather and son-in-law Jeff
and my precious grandkids
They are getting ready to make a big move, from living an hour away from us to across the country to South Carolina. I'm readying myself for this huge change, that will be impossible to prepare for as I already feel an emptiness in the hollow of my stomach thinking about it. And yet, there is happiness there too, for I'm sure this time will bring new adventures and lots of sunny weather to them. But empty nest is hard, I already know that, but I have feeling I'll experience it in a new and even broader way soon.
More changes, big ones coming to my art. and that means a studio make-over. I am doing a major reorganization and purge, moving things and painting the only big wall I have with a fresh coat of white in preparation for my new painting adventure. I'm going to start painting big. Very B I G. And putting down paint in an entirely different way. Using different tools and materials. I am ready to abandon the old and step into something new, even though it feels scarey and will no doubt bring up all kinds of emotions as I move into unexplored terrain, leting go of rules and sure-fire ways, my map, the one that has worked for me in the past. I'm entering a new begininng, I feel it. This is the reason I took this year off from teaching, and now I'm here. All this time and space spreading out ahead of me to experiment and play in. Joy!
And.....I'll be teaching a painting workshop at An Artful Journey next February, one of my very favorite venues, located in the mountains of northern California. Registration opens July 12th at noon PST, so mark your calendars; because the venue is small, classes can fill fast. I am fortunate to be coming back to teach for the second time and I can say with complete assurance that everything about my time here was fantastic - I can't wait to go back and I hope you will join me there!
This is all so exciting! New everything. Sorry for the family relocation; that can be so hard, I know. One of mine is in Hawaii with my grandson; another is in Brooklyn. But, I get to keep one here :-) Your daughter is moving to such a beautiful area. I wish them much joy with the move and the coming big event!
Posted by: Judi | May 31, 2011 at 02:18 PM
It looks like there are lots of wonderful changes and growth happening for you...I will look forward to seeing your BIG art! Wishing you a wonderful summer~~
Posted by: Sweetest in the Gale | May 31, 2011 at 02:40 PM
I can't wait to see your new experiments. I am saving for Artful Journey. I hope I can. I hope I can!
Posted by: Dina Cooper | May 31, 2011 at 02:46 PM
katie you have a beautiful family & your babies are precious!
we had snow here this past weekend breaking large branches off my blossoming trees :-(
i think we are all ready for some warm weather and i can't wait to see what you will be creating....i would love to paint with you in california!
Posted by: lorraine lewis | May 31, 2011 at 08:36 PM
i love new beginnings and all the many possibilities they hold... i look forward to seeing glimpses, hoping you'll take us along. ;)
heather looks so very beautiful... and your grandchildren... i see you in their faces. so precious.
miss you much. {will email you soon}.
here's to spring, new beginnings, positive change, life, friendship, and babies. xoxoxo
Posted by: misty | June 01, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Every single photograph touched my heart dear Katie. I'm so excited for all that is happening in your life; sweet indeed. And that family ... oh, so very beautiful. Precious. So precious. xoxoxo
Posted by: judy Wise | June 01, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Katie, I'm excited for you! You are letting go of the familiar in many ways. It's always a bit nerve-wracking (ask me how I know! hah!) but new adventures await.
Posted by: hashi | June 01, 2011 at 05:15 PM
is it possible we are holding hands,
preparing to JUMP in a very BIG way together?????
xoxoxoxoox
Posted by: rebecca | June 01, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Beautiful challenges and adventures ahead, to be lived and created. Your path is fascinating as you are, much enjoyment and new discoveries to you dear Katie. You are just like your precious vegetables...going outside into the cold, in order to bloom and be fruitful.
XOXOrly
Posted by: Orly | June 02, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Congrats to you and good luck with all the new moves. I can't wait to see your new work - I know it will be awesome!
ps: your grand kids have grown before our eyes. I'm sure they'll miss having you near by.
Posted by: dorit | June 03, 2011 at 03:28 AM
A loving, inspiring and tender post, as always. We moved across country with our kids and one of the best things my parents ever did for me was to gently let me go. I never appreciated how we broke their hearts until I had grands of my own. You have my heart on this. And, I cannot wait to see what this new adventure of yours will look like.
Posted by: Laura | June 05, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Where in SC are they moving Katie? I live in the upstate (upper western corner) of SC. Maybe I'll see you when you come to see them...
Posted by: carol sloan | June 06, 2011 at 08:53 AM