Sky/Hill

charcoal on paper

17 x 21

After applying and getting rejected for the last four years, I was just notified that this year I have been awarded an Individual Artist Grant by the Central Minnesota Arts Board! www.centralmnartsboard.org

A much needed and appreciated career and ego boost. The work I submitted with my application was my recent charcoal pieces, much of which I have posted here over the past months.

Moon

charcoal on paper

17 x 22

I am back from the southwest and have been so caught up in picking up the pieces of my life that I have been remiss about posting..... It's a cold and sleety day in Minnesota, but here are two hopeful poems from my favorite book of love poems called "The Ink Dark Moon":

Nothing

in the word

is usual today.

This is

the first morning.

Even though

these pine trees

keep their original color,

everything green

is different in spring.

- Izumi Shikibu