Autumn's Deeper Meaning

Pecos, New Mexico

It is almost the middle of November, the weather is cooler now and autumn leaves are falling. I used to dread this time of year but now it is my favorite season of all. It is a time to slow down and reflect. It has been an amazing year... I don't know when a year flew by so quickly. So many wonderful things happened one after the other, almost too quickly to savor fully.  The time has come for reevaluation and the setting of new priorities. I have taught Beginning Oil Classes for well over a decade. In recent years my focus has shifted to portraits, which led to teaching Portrait/Figure Classes, as well as starting a monthly Portrait Group. It was no easy decision to make the announcement that I would no longer be teaching my Monday morning class.  I still have many irons in the fire and will be using this time to put things in order of importance. Social media is something that has needed to take a backseat for quite some time. I will continue sharing announcements for art organizations and checking in from time to time but social media has become a dark, black hole that saps my creativity more than feeds it. It is time for a change. There will be no waiting for New Year's Day to make a resolution...I am beginning today, right now at this very moment to slow down and be more mindful. I will be in my sacred space, my studio, more often now and more mindfully present. It is autumn in more than just the time of year, it is also the autumn of my life and the timing is perfect.  Wishing you all peace in your hearts and in your homes this holiday season.