Life is full of unpredictability.

Sometimes I am shocked.

Sometimes I can only laugh.

Sometimes my heart is deeply moved.

And sometimes I'm full of awe and wonder.

This past week has been full of business, learning experiences, and wonder.

As I opened myself to a new process for creating art by my gifted art and business coach, Karen Richards, I was shocked with the amazing results appearing as I continue to work on the attached painting in progress.

I was also able to frame some new artwork I will be hanging in Arts of Snohomish gallery the beginning of next week and also complete some ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree there.

I ordered prints to become Christmas cards and added a page to my website.

That's always a learning experience because I don't add pages often.

Then yesterday was my turn to work in the gallery.

I never know how many people will come in.  

I never know whether they will just breeze through glancing at the artwork, or take time to let it sink in and connect with it.

Whether they will want to engage in conversation, or leave without a word.

Two conversations from yesterday stood out to me.

The first was with a woman who was coming from the farmers market and asked if I knew a local artist she just met there. 

She started to tell me about her and look on her phone for the photos she just took.

She mentioned that she used to be an artist, but had stopped making art because she had been the primary caretaker for her husband and mother, both who recently died.

And then the conversation turned.

She feels strongly that the medical profession is dishonest.

Unfortunately her mother died in a nursing home after contracting the flu there.

She believes her husband would still be alive if his physician had listened to her concerns immediately.

And then she began to tell me about the hours of research she does.

She believes that the pandemic has been planned since the first Bush administration.

She believes all wars are caused purposefully for financial gain by governments and the ultra rich.

Then she showed me some of her artwork.

This woman is amazingly talented.

She used to do tiny intricate beadwork.

She made earrings, pins, and little bags with the smallest beads I've ever seen.

And sadly, she chooses to lose herself in anxiety and finding theories to explain things she can't control.

I didn't try to argue with her.

I did try to give her a bit of education from my knowledge of medical procedures and experience, and when that wasn't accepted I just listened respectfully. 

After 30 minutes or more she thanked me for my time and left.

On the way home it struck me that this woman is desperately looking for something to hold on to that explains the world as it is today.

And that because of my faith in God, I don't need everything to be ok.

I would like the world to be good, just, and loving.

When it isn't, I am able to trust that whatever comes my way, God will be with me and will ensure that I am capable of adjusting to the outcome no matter what it is.

The next conversation that struck me happened at the end of the day.

A young couple came in and carefully looked at all the artwork.

When I asked if they'd been in before they said no.

After explaining that we are a co-op, and that each artist takes a turn working, they asked where my art was.

The woman is a teacher and uses watercolor with her students.

The man is color blind, and enjoys playing with art.

He asked about my process for creating abstracts.

I told him about my recent experience starting with scribbles on paper.

And I told him my best success was when I play with water and paint and don't worry about the outcome.

This is my favorite type of visitor.

Those who are curious, want to engage in conversation, and enjoy learning something about the artists as people.

So today I'm looking forward to getting back in my studio and working on the birch trees again.

I don't know what they will look like when they are finished, but I'm loving making them appear.

Life will always unpredictable.

With an open mind and loving heart I feel capable of finding blessings along the way.

And each day I can get in my studio and splash paint around is a bonus.