Monday night Hubby and I were going on a date! We had planned to go to the summit area up American Fork Canyon to star gaze but instead..we watched a long and beautiful sunset with the clouds that had moved in. We first stopped at Subway and bought a few sandwiches and really enjoyed ourselves just relaxing in the mountains. It had been way too long since we did this..which is kind of sad since we live so close to such lovely vistas. But our work schedules are not too conducive to hanging out together. I had been wanting to just go home and veg out in front of the TV...but this was too important..not only for our relationship which has been rocky over the many (33) years but to shake us up out of our TV habit!!!

The weather was very hot and so once again I had parked myself in the easy chair and was watching the Olympics when I got a terrible craving for a twist cone with chocolate topper. I rarely crave ice cream...but I decided that I can't drive a stick shift and eat a cone at the same time...so I walked to the store over a 1/2 mile away and back...my knees hurt but I so needed to get out. It was delightful to walk alone, (very safe in my area) and then to enjoy some ice cream and watch the full moon peek around the clouds and tree tops. I have been daydreaming about painting, pouring watercolors, playing with my new Dr. Martin liquid watercolors. But not doing! Yesterday I was going to spend the day playing and I didn't. So today I am getting off the computer, getting some breakfast and going to paint. Just to play. I have so many times over the years found myself worried about the money end of the art thing. What can I do that will sell...instead of really doing art that pleases me. I also have decided to give up my studio at Poor Yoricks. It is too far away and and gas being so expensive...it just isn't working for me. I will be there until after the fall open studio at the end of September...then I will bring home my stuff. Hubby is going to put up a temporary wall in the old kitchen with a sliding door and that should be big enough for a good work area. Plus we can hook up my old laundry sink and I can have hot and cold water. A bit of lighting changes and voila...a temporary studio that can get me through until we can afford to build one on the premises. I can store my big paintings in the basement as soon as Shane finishes getting his belongings out. I can hold small art classes and make a bit of money that won't have to go towards rent. I can also have access to my supplies after my knee surgery and and still have some privacy. The thing I will miss the most are my friends at the studio but we rarely see each other as our schedules are so varied. I will have to make a better effort to get to art happenings I will also miss the open studio events..but at least I can go and see what everyone is doing!( in stead of being captive in my studio trying to sell stuff.) It means I will have to market myself differently and set deadlines for myself...all a good thing as long as I am doing more art. I hope this doesn't sound like justifying where I have been and what I have not been doing. Those of you who have bothered to read my blog know I tend to work out my thoughts as I write. I am excited to have some money again in my pocket...studio rent was not a small thing!!! So off I go to get some color poured and play and have fun and I can't wait...see you all later and have a great day!!!