Welcome to the blogspace!

Click on the post title to view and to leave comments. Thank you!

Published on
Picture
"Return to Wonder" - acrylic on paper, 18" x 12".  Available here and at Artfinder.

To be alive is power,
Existing in itself,
Without a further function,
Omnipotence enough.

--Emily Dickinson


The final painting of 2018 is a return to abstraction.  A paint over with a little nod to the ethereal wonderland that is the wilds of Oregon.  

There is a desire to reflect at the end of a year...to set goals, analyze successes and failures and to make resolutions.  I am a huge supporter of future planning and goal setting!  But this time - this time I am going to simply be alive.  As Dickinson says, existing in itself, without further function.

And for me this is a massive leap into the unknown.  To just exist, to let one year roll into the next without (GASP) a plan?  Inconceivable!  And yet, I am going to do it.
Wherever you are in the wide world, as the new year opens the door to unending possibility, I wish for you a return to wonder and the unwavering belief in a trail of breadcrumbs that points to the best life possible.   And, of course, a liberal dose of malarkey along the way.  Happy New Year!
This week's picks in PDX!

​Hiking:  Tryon Creek Park.  This park in south west Portland is a great hike when you can't commit to a full day.  Lots of small trails, plenty of incline and interesting bridges and gullies.  And it's dang pretty!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Dining:  Wayfinder.   Great beer, great food.  Try the Freedom Hash (vegan) or the Chicken Schnitzel.  And they deliver through the Caviar app (when you don't want to get out of your pajamas).  Easy peasy.

​Fun and Games:  Guardian Games.  The largest selection of board (and other) games I have ever seen.  And a pub.  And some super helpful game nerds who will make sure you leave with the best game ever.  We really appreciated their IRS sale (The IRS really sucks inventory reduction sale) and so did half of PDX who stood in line with us.
7 Comments
Dotty Seiter - 7 years ago
Jen, I welcome and embrace your new year's wish wholeheartedly! A return to wonder and the unwavering belief in a trail of breadcrumbs that points to the best life possible? all that, and malarkey, too? yes, yes, yes. Thank you.

I'm entranced by your painting. Did you begin with any whisper of an 'idea'? Did you select a color palette at the outset? I have so many questions. Really what I want to do is call you up, and head to Tyron Creek Park for a long walk'n'talk.
jen - 7 years ago
Dotty! We can follow the breadcrumbs together. :)

This painting...was an old figure drawing. I turned it upside down, grabbed the closest paint and began just filling in the compound shapes. Which became a kind of waterfall. And then the background, which hollered to be moody with hints of trees and rocks. Maybe influenced by all the outdoor beauty I've been gobsmacked by?

And yes, call me up! Let's head to the park. Surely we can get into some creative trouble there?
Carol Edan - 7 years ago
Thanks for the beautiful post and for sharing those great photos! Especially love the one of the trail though the woods! So inviting and mysterious.
Always love your abstracts! Is there a figure in there hiding? Purple wings!!

Wishing you all the best! Health, happiness, creativity,and lots of nachus! Brachot (blessings)
jen - 7 years ago
Carol! My pleasure! It was a gorgeous hike...and yes, there surely is ALWAYS a figure hiding in an abstract! Love the idea of the wings. I didn't see that before!!!

Happy New Year, friend!
Kay Kiria - 7 years ago
These last 4 blogs are riveting Jen! I finally had some time today to sit and read them. A very inspiring way to start the new year. Thank you for sharing!! Kay
jen - 7 years ago
Kay!!!! It is wonderful to hear from you. :) Thank you for reading and commenting...this new life is so overwhelmingly inspiring that I don't know where to start! A good problem to have. Big hugs!
MckimmeCue - 4 years ago
What an exquisite article! Your post is very helpful right now. Thank you for sharing this informative one. If you are looking for coupon codes and deals just visit coupon plus deals dot com.

Author

Lola Jovan

Picture

Learn more about Lola!

Get Mail!

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp