Beginnings and Endings

2024 hasn’t been my favorite year…yet. 

As I mentioned in my last post (way back in February) my dog, Cashew needed three surgeries in January and I was nursing him back to health while managing care for my Mom who turned 100 in March. It was a lot. Mom passed away in June, just a few days after I returned from our ARTfuel retreat in Portugal. 

I always think I’m strong and can handle everything. I don’t need any help! Even after the caregiving ended, there were funeral arrangements to be made and a will to execute. I powered through it all…but my body was keeping score. Stress and grief can do funny things to your hips! So lately I’ve been working on recovery of mind, body and spirit. 

The best part of 2024 (so far) was meeting some amazing in artists in Australia and Portugal. ARTfuel retreats are small enough that everyone gets one-on-one time and we all get to know one another - all while exploring some beautiful corners of the planet and dining on local food, prepared for us daily.

I’m feeling a little better now…just in time to launch some new ARTfuel retreats for 2025 (our 2024 retreats are sold out) Our teaching theme in 2025 is “The Color Cure” and it’s all about hue, value, saturation, and temperature. It’s one of my favorite subjects! You can read more about The Color Cure HERE and see all our 2025 retreat offerings HERE. 

Speaking of color, lately I’m finding a lot of freedom and exploration in limiting my palette. It’s one of those creative restraints I wrote about HERE.

Cyan Sky: two colors + black and white

Wild Thing: two colors + black and white

There Goes the Neighborhood: two colors + black and white

I’m hoping that freedom and exploration expands to the rest of my life in the second half of 2024. I do see some signs that things might be looking up!
I wish the same for you.