#11 decembrance

During the week leading up to an open studio I go through so many feelings. There is a wide gamut; doubt, joy, exhaustion, fear, assurance, creativity, and organization. The standard fear–perhaps similar to dreaming of the class you are enrolled in but never attended–is, “will anybody come after all the effort?” But old friends do show up and new acquaintances appear. The event becomes a gift exchange of looking and sharing. One friend had stopped at an orchard and shared her bag of pears and apples. Another painter friend said, “Oh, I want to paint this!” Today’s recovery involved photographing and drawing the gifted fruit. I processed the emotions of the week. I wish to express my gratitude to my friends who show up, read my messages, listen to my doubts and cheer me on.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

–William Arthur Ward