In this Mid-Spring Studio Update I share what’s new since mid-winter. This is another favorite time of year, when we see the joyful return of spring perennials, and with hope plant seeds and welcome the light half of the year – Beltane, May Eve! It is a joyful time to give a surprise bouquet to loved ones. Here are a few blossoms that are showing up on this day.

Beltane flowers of Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary; iris, monkshood, comfrey, lily of the valley

Some of the most exciting experiences of this period are the nightly Murmurations of red-winged blackbirds. We have been observing them since the bachelors discovered our bamboo forests for overnight roosting a few years ago on Valentines Day, that is, just one bird. The next night there were 5, then 20, then more and more. They would leave promptly en-mass at dawn to look for their nest spot near water, and return at dusk. The phenomenon has increased by thousands each year.

Now at mid-spring most have attracted their mates and found their nests, just a few come in. We wonder if they are juveniles. Each evening bundled up we watched with open mouths. I wanted to add one of our many videos here. Because of the size of the file, I pinned it to the top of my Facebook page, so you can experience the wonder.

A series of acrylic paintings was inspired by this blessing that brought great energy to the land, “Murmurations”. Each wood panel has 10 layers using the same palette. I wanted to convey a sense of movement, belonging, home and wonder that they add to our sanctuary.

Murmurations 1, 2, 3, 4

Murmurations 1, 2, 3, 4

We enjoy being outside again when it warms up. That’s when we notice how things have devolved on the porch and the yearly makeover begins. This year we could not ignore the need to repair the Adirondack chairs and table my father built. We had to laugh when we realized we used his hammer and brads to fix it. Next, a new coat of paint. The cushions were worn, so I got out my mom’s Singer Featherweight and made new covers from a favorite Kaffe Fasset print.

Then that lead to putting up the morning glory string, so the shade curtains would not fly out. That was before we realized the need to power wash the columns and paint them. Does one thing lead to another in your life? For us it is worth the effort to sit “in style” to gaze at the garden and birds. That is, when time allows and we try not to think of the do list!

New Journal, new Adirondack paint, mysterious rabbit, favorite colors

For the second time I am taking Creative Visionary Program in Art2Life with Nicholas Wilton. It began at the equinox. He sent us embossed journals, which happened to be in one of my two favorite colors. His method for journaling has been a game changer for me, this is my fourth one since this time last year. Every bit of my life is accounted for in the journal, especially Daily Art Practice. It’s a mobile analog computer. My notes for this blog are on the last page of it.

Daily Art Practice 4.12.25, new paint and cushion cover for Adirondack set, spring porch makeover

Creative Visionary Program is inclusive of folks who have never painted before, to long term professional artists, who each benefit from learning the principles of art. Some people have taken the program 8 or more times! I have already noticed that my understanding of things I have “known” for many years, deepens and enriches my life. The first lessons involve soulful explorations of desire and inspiration. Rather than make boards, since I have limited wall space, I did mine in the journal.

Art Boards in the journal

We just finished two weeks of delving into value and design. Mixing greys from 1-10 is harder than you might imagine, I still have not nailed it. This time I have less resistance to black and white. Some of the lessons were worked out with pencil, acrylic and collage in the journal.

Journal pages about value study using black and white

When we visited Bernheim Forest I had an unexpected realization. We went to notice the array of plants and the art installations on their 14,000 acres. Isaac W. Bernheim’s vision for the land he acquired to protect included the combination of an arboretum and natural forested areas infused with the arts to create a unique site to experience nature.

The pathways were what I noticed and it dawned on me that it is a symbol that is often present in my artwork, one that I want to expand on. I took photographs with this in mind. The images became references for the acrylic panels in the value/design assignments.

Value Studies, acrylic, collage, 12×12″

Bernheim Forest, “Within the Forest, Without the Forest”

Bernheim Forest, “Walks in the Fictional Woods”

I am thrilled to acquire an original gouache painting, “Common Raven Egg” by Mary Jo Koch. Six years ago I studied gouache with her through her Patreon site. She is a world-renowned naturalist painter and author of many books. What an honor for this to grace my wall.

“Common Raven Egg”, Mary Jo Koch, original gouache, 3x3x.5″ and thank you note

Looking ahead, on Tuesday June 10, 2025, the Harrodsburg Historical Society will host author Greg Orth, who will share findings from his decades long study of Mercer County’s ancient native population. Their long-term presence on his Mercer County farm left behind trails leading the Kentucky River and far beyond. The rediscovery of this trail network helped the author unravel the mystery of where Daniel Boone actually was in 1769, and why he chose Mercer County for his solitary extended stay. Orth’s findings were recently published by Springer in “Geography of Time, Place, Movement and Networks, Vol. 2”, Stanley D. Brunn editor.

Invitation to Greg Orth’s talk on June 10 at the Harrodsburg Historic Society

Value correction study of the Flatirons, acrylic painted over a print

A dream come true, we went to Pink Martini concert at the Lexington Opera House. It pleased me to no end to hear my favorite version of “Brazil” (by Antonio Carlos Jobim). They inspired us to do a conga dance around the hall, everyone was smiling, so uplifted by the music. See if you get up and dance when you hear a performance of it from 2021 on YouTube.

Daily Art Practice 3.17.25

Daily Art Practice 3.17.25, Illuminated Pink Martini at Lexington Opera House

“The Creative Act; A Way of Being”, Rick Rubin