Artful cheer is what sustains me as the nights grow longer, and mornings are dark. I think to myself, only another month, and light will begin to increase. I hold my breath, waiting for movement; expansion.

The monotony has been broken by a snowfall. Sun is out now. Ice crystals cascade glimmering from the branches.

If you see this hat and these boots somewhere in the next little while, you may be at a Christmas market, or out shopping and being serenaded by Carollers, of which I am one.

We go out in quartets, spreading Christmas cheer with song. I made my hat, and the boots were a thrift shop find! We were at the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market last Friday night. A beautiful venue, with lots of interesting goodies. Had a bite to eat there, and left with coffee and cream fudge for the ride home.

“The Artist’s Way”, by Julia Cameron, speaks of the artist’s date. The purpose is to fill the well, the inner well we create from. This is something you do on your own, providing you with the opportunity to take out, pamper and listen to your inner artist.

I am heading to the Glenbow Museum for my artist date, to see the Emily Carr exhibit. Stay tuned for a review. Perfect inspiration, as some large canvasses(3 feet by 4 feet) are awaiting paint here, and I am planning a landscape series.

If time permits I will stop at a couple of other galleries. My mission is also to find a venue to sell some of my work as well. It needs to be out there and needs to be seen!