The returning and increasing light is daily perceptible, welcome and cheering. Now it is peaceful after a transition to the new year after snow, rain, tornados, fires. This Mid-winter, Imbolc, Candlemas season in the Celtic tradition is associated with St. Bridgid, a time to appreciate soft candlelight and the birthing of young animals.

2022 Mandala, drawing by Kathleen O’Brien

This time of year, I plan for the future by evaluating priorities (my purpose) and my time, as you probably are also doing. I have a pretty good sense of personal, studio and business tracks that I’ll go into after a look back at this past quarter.

13th Annual Autumn Open Studio

13th Annual Autumn Open Studio, your seat

The Annual Autumn Open Studio is always the first of the events to recall in the quarterly posts. It was thrilling to be with wonderful art patrons, so much so that it is now my fondest wish for this year, to be with people! Showing “Alexander’s Library” for the first time, was special. It was reassuring that everyone who came, left with art, so much so that it validated my relevancy and purpose, to cast my art into the world. Our place solicits curiosity, so Greg took the opportunity to write about our homestead, and the 22 years spent developing Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary.

5 New Series on view at 13th Annual Autumn Open Studio

9 Previous Series on view at 13th Annual Autumn Open Studio

“Backstories”

Following soon after that I launched this year’s annual small art holiday special, “Backstories” composed of 16 collages from my collection of ephemera, each accompanied by the stories of the papers chosen in the design. It is an enjoyable project that allows art lovers from locations afar to participate. There are a few still available, contact me if you are interested, please.

“Backstories 16”, detail, by Kathleen O’Brien

State of Grace

December is a special month to retreat from business and focus inward by journaling. It helps me to get clear what I really want in the new year and to visualize that in a mandala.

“Swans by Land, Sea, Air, Spirit”, 1998, oil painting by Kathleen O’Brien

December is a special month to retreat from business and focus inward by journaling. It helps me to get clear what I really want in the new year and to visualize that in a mandala. This year the tragic tornado that hit our state interrupted the peace. I attempted to write the day’s entry in the middle of the night to distract me from the weather station. My writing is so shaky I cannot read it. Thank God it stopped a few miles short of us, but we are heartbroken for the many impacted.

“Swans by Land”, 11.16.21, watercolor painting by Kathleen O’Brien

“State of Grace, December 4”, Home icons by Kathleen O’Brien

I had been painting swans again, and wrote about that and how it came about after the tornado in this post. I poured all the energy of these moments, with an intention of aligning with those who lost loved ones and homes as Prayer Paintings. The result was “The State of Grace, December, 1-4”. In this first half of the winter I have continued the theme with “Blessings” and “Being in the State of Grace”. What is consistent in all of these watercolor paintings is the limited palette of 3 primary colors, Quinacridone Red, Cadmium Yellow Lemon and Windsor Blue, the third palette of last year. The process of layering these new colors, experiencing the blending of countless shades, tones and hues became completely soothing.

“Blessings 4”, detail, watercolor, collage by Kathleen O’Brien

There is a new portfolio devoted to this, please check out “Grace” and tell me what you think!

Season of Grace

Peaceful evenings, Solstice, Christmas, Epiphany 2022

Solstice season cheers me up, everything reaches a crescendo, it’s a season of grace. With so many days of warmth and sunshine, I kept busy in the studio with the “State of Grace” series, planning, and partying – yes!  We visited, we entertained, just like “old times”.  People, again.

Classes

Drawing Book Cover by Kathleen O’Brien

With the new year, I am teaching again, my favorite subject, drawing. Let me know if you would like to take classes. Just ask! Patreon is a platform where I could offer different services at different levels. Choices could include hang out with me in the studio for a half hour. Or a “design your own class”, where you choose or combine from the categories.  Please tell me what you think!

Some Projects

“Being in the State of Grace” detail, watercolor by Kathleen O’Brien

Alongside studio practice I am tackling the project of digitizing my inventory using Artwork Archive. Starting from now and working my way backwards to 1968 with data entry, I must remember that some of the things I promise to do each day are to laugh, have fun, trust and create, but not overwhelm. It’s just one part of estate planning that is in focus. I see adding to the current body of work towards a solo show next year. And adding more books to “Alexander’s Library”. I’m considering having an open studio for Earth Day, and more studio specials. There is a lot to do, luckily, I’m up to the task.

On Display

“Shapes 1, 2, 3” , by Kathleen O’Brien in the Studio

Meanwhile, it’s exciting to be in a real gallery show. The Future of Kentucky’s Appalachia at Art Center of the Bluegrass that will be on view until March 15.

Happy Mid-Winter Celebrations, we’re half way through.

Greg wants the studio to have a tag line,

tranquil art for trying times

What do you think? I value and look forward to you comments.