"Queen of Arts" - mixed media on aquabord, 18" x 24".  Ready to frame, or can be leaned on a shelf.  Available on Artfinder.

The beginning of the second week of this challenge finds me hanging out with royalty.  These bossy queens are quite demanding of my studio time, but they are excellent conversationalists.  And this particular queen is most at home in the forest with her paintbrushes ready.

You've changed.
You're thriving.
There's something about the woods.
Not just
Surviving.
You're blossoming in the woods.
    from the song "It Takes Two", Into the Woods

I realize this month's journey into the woods is metaphorical, but there is something about daily imagining a forest adventure that is giving me a real mental boost.  In the studio, it is truly now a woodland setting, with a dozen forested pieces in progress.  And I feel more adventurous outside of the studio, too.

Yesterday, my husband and I set out for a gastronomical adventure at Chillbar in Hollywood, FL.  I am not brave when it comes to food - too many sensitivities and allergies.  But this day felt different, so off we went.  It was a cross between a Jimmy Buffet song and a visit to crunchy granola-ville.  When the hostess came out in a tiara, dress and chuck taylor's with lacey socks, I knew we were at the right place.  So yeah yeah, the food was great and the ambiance was fun.  But what made me truly smile was when one of the owners (at least, I think he was?) assumed we were regulars, because we seemed like "Okomos".  Now I had never heard that term before, so had to look it up.

OKOMO:  "A person that is beautiful inside and out.  Someone you can always rely on for a good laugh and to talk about everything..."

Only one week into our woodland adventure and I've already been transformed into an Okomo!  Now I am off to find a tiara so maybe the bossy queens in the studio will give me a little more respect. :)