I recommend taking workshops—workshops taught by the right people at the right time. In my case, I take painting workshops. In the second week in May I took a workshop from John Salminen and his wife, Kathy. It was nothing short of a fabulous experience. Five years ago, while still living in Columbus, Ohio, I signed up to take a workshop with John Salminen but because of various circumstances, had to bow out. I was very disappointed. Finally, this month, Mr. Salminen came to Salt Lake City. With five years of experience behind me, I feel I was better prepared to have a successful experience. On the other hand, I can’t help think how much farther along I might be in my art pursuits had I taken the workshop five years ago. My husband takes workshops that help him in his field of marketing and social media. He, too, knows that the right workshop and the right time can enliven the imagination, give needed updated skills and create enthusiasm for the job. 

I am a firm believer in the “Law of Attraction.” I know, it’s almost become a trite social philosophy today, but my life has shown it to be true, nevertheless. What one gives usually comes back in kind. A sour expression elicits negative interaction. A generous soul never seems to want for anything significant. Here’s the thing about artists. In my unscientific way of polling the data, I am pretty convinced that the artists who freely give their work, talent, energy and creativity generously are those who get paid generously. I don’t mean they give their work away free, although some do. I mean they teach, share, advise, critique, encourage and support without expecting anything in return. What an anomaly in such a competitive world. Still, my best artist friends are extremely positive and generous in encouraging and supporting other artists. They create around themselves a world of such generous creative energy that the boundaries of life just constantly seem to expand. I have just finished the John Salminen workshop this week with the Utah Watercolor Society. John and his wife, Kathy, embody this principle to perfection. They gave and gave and gave and the results were dramatic to all who attended.  I can just feel my life about to explode outward and can’t wait to return all that I received to my own art students at Ree Art Studio and Ree’s painting pARTies. 

Everyone needs a space. I remember when I was raising young children how I longed for my own private space where no one could invade unless invited. In those days, it was impossible to find such an abode. Even the bathroom was not sacred, as any parent knows who has ever foolishly tried to make that space private for longer than a few minutes before the incessant door banging started. When I was a child I had my own room (eventually—for a while I shared with my two brothers until my parents made another bedroom out of the garage). My father had his garage. My mother had her garden. After I married, my husband had his private office. I wanted a space where I could paint without having to put it all away from prying eyes and curious little fingers. Eventually, when the first child left for college, I had a room. Heaven. Later, when all of the kids were gone, we downsized and guess what? I lost my own private space again. So, I rented a space. I can go to Ree Art Studio to think, create, study, whatever. (That is, if I turn off my cell phone. The invasion of electronics into our private worlds is a discussion for another day.) I highly recommend doing literally ANYTHING to get a private space of one’s own. It is there that creativity really flourishes. It is there that one finds authenticity. It is there that one can finally catch an uninterrupted nap.