Trades.

These have been busy, happy days.  I've completed pieces for a few upcoming shows and just completed this sign for a neighbor in exchange for lumber.  I love trades.  It will be proudly displayed over his abundantly flourishing greenhouse.  While working on it I remembered that I had painted a large winter scene in a huge department store window a number of years ago.  I'm amazed at the creative things I've done which I've forgotten over the years and yet they've been so much fun.  I also forget how often I question the value of my work which brings joy to others.  I paint because I love the process, but I also find pleasure in the joy experienced by viewers.  These days I've kept a running list of where my work has been adopted as a reminder to myself of how I am blessed to share my art with others.  I also ran into someone recently who purchased a number of pieces about seven years ago and was thrilled to hear that the paintings still make her family happy.  It's snowing outside this morning, there's a fire in the fireplace, hot chocolate in my mug and Christmas music on the stereo - I know it's early, but it feels like Christmas to me.