The events of the last few months have been hard to process…it’s difficult to read the morning paper without wishing one could just go back to bed and wake up sometime in the future. When did we stop working together as a community? Since we were all staying at home alone, did we forget how to relate to one another in a rational manner? I don’t want to get into any political discussions about abortion rights, gun control or cultural diversity but we have big issues to tackle in this country and its not going to get any better if we go our own way. Didn’t we learn as kids that many hands make light work?

To ease my mind, I have been delving into my art…it is indeed true that art heals…mmm…maybe we could organize giant coloring events or massive collage parties…consider how much good one could do with crayons or glue sticks…just a thought.

The result of putting my nose to the grindstone is a schedule of art outings that may interest you - and likewise help to ease your weary soul.

First up is my Summer Studio Sale with 4 of my artist friends being held at my studio here in Everett, WA on Saturday June 11.

There will be plenty of art - for you, for gifts, for just enjoyment of the day…stop by to say hi and join us in welcoming summer.

I’m happy that one of my mixed media collages will be part of the Schack Art Center exhibit, Art of the Garden, running from June 23 - August 27. The Schack Art Center is located in downtown Everett and you can get all the details about the exhibit here.

Looking ahead…I will be the featured artist for the month of July at Crow, an artisan boutique and gallery in downtown Edmonds. I’ll have several new collage compositions and will be happy to chat with you about my work during the Edmonds Art Walk on July 21 from 5-8 pm.

As I wind up, I want to encourage you to do what you can to make your community better…maybe it’s volunteering at your child’s school, or helping weed a neighborhood garden…maybe it’s fostering a shelter animal or organizing supplies for the food bank. And at the very least, it’s making sure you are registered to vote and participating in local and national elections. We can do better…we have to.