Self Portrait

10 x 12

My life caught me unawares earlier this year when I accidentally fell in the cold water of Puget Sound. It is easy to pretend to be unchanged by the event, especially since it happened five months ago. Easy to smile and nod and laugh, to tell the story of my many minutes in the cold water. To act as if it is barely a blip on the screen of my life.

Some days, that is true. It is but one incident in a life filled with incidents.

But other days it feels important. Today was a day like that.

Without trying to suppress it or reframe it or ignore it, today I honestly responded to my feelings with my painting. I won't begin to try to figure out what that means, but I will just rest with it.

My thoughts flow as the melody of this tune. Melancholy and sweet. Hopeful and quiet. It is a good day.