Winter Prep and Random Updates
In which I tell you all sorts of random things as we head into winter.
It’s the in between times, that stage in between holidays, in between seasons, in between projects. Winter is on its way and I have successfully avoided mud season in Park City, a season so awkward that going outside becomes a chore. I’ve been down in the desert enjoying the sun, warmer temps, bike rides, and hikes. Much like my brain, which is full of random little things, this newsletter is a smorgasbord of news, book recs, art items, weather tidbits, and whozima whatnots.
My solo show, “Metabolizing Change” at Gallery MAR went well and I had some great success with sales and gave the gallery a whole slew of new work to stock their walls for the winter season. If you missed seeing the show in person, please do still head over to the gallery to see paintings that are still available. They may not be hanging at the front of the gallery, but they will be somewhere inside on display. I also delivered a few more new paintings to supplement the show before I flew south for shoulder season.
The annual ornament fundraiser to plant a forest went great and all 60 ornaments sold under 2 hours! I so very much appreciate all your support and love for this little project and I made the donation to the National Forest Foundation to plant 700 trees. Big thanks to Matt for finding me a standing dead aspen tree and for cutting the wood rounds and sanding them. However, there is ONE MORE chance to get an ornament - you can enter to win the Artists’ Tree, which is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity through Gallery MAR. For $50 you can enter to win this delightful holiday decoration featuring handmade ornaments from Gallery MAR artists. Last day to enter is December 8th.
Although the ornaments are gone, I have new 2024 Calendars and card packs available for sale. Great stocking stuffers for your art-loving friends. You can also look at my other shop offerings - Make the Salt Lake Great Again shirts and hats; my sketchbook memoir, Down Deso; or even online watercolor classes. I have 12 on-demand watercolor classes that teach specific skills, buy 6 for $75 or a la carte for $15 each. And for those artists you need to buy for, may I suggest looking through my recommended watercolor supply list.
For the last couple of years, I was tracking the books I read and rating them. This was mostly just to see how much I read, but also I was reading a lot of romance novels, so I felt like I needed to keep track. Well, I did not keep track this year, partially because I got to June and then it was September and I hadn’t updated my spreadsheet, and I gave up. Yes, I know about Goodreads, I just don’t want to use it - I don’t need to gamify or social media my reading as well.
Anyhow, the good news is, I don’t have insomnia anymore. The bad news is that I didn’t read quite as much. Still. I went back through my Libby App to remember what I read this year and here’s my best of for 2023. Ps. I'm suggesting links through Bookshop.org, which I am a new affiliate through, and trying out as a way of reducing my dependence on Big Books, ahem, Amazon. Bookshop.org is dedicated to supporting local bookstores, is a Certified B Corp, and Climate Neutral Certified. Also, if you buy any of these books, I get a slight commission, which honestly, will just go to support my book habit, which is not the worst thing to be addicted to. And so, my list of favorite books read in 2023.
Non Fiction
Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny - amazing read about the first women to document the flora of the Grand Canyon. RadioWest just did a podcast on this.
Powder Days: Ski Bums, Ski Towns, and the Future of Chasing Snow - Heather Hansman - as a former and current ski bum, I enjoyed the discussion of what it means to be a skier, and try and live in a ski town. Bottom line, it’s always been hard and will likely get harder.
Inciting Joy by Ross Gay - a series of beautifully written essays about moments of joy and also sorry from Ross Gay. You should also read his Book of Delights.
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter - a memoir of sorts disguised as a self-help fitness book? But really interesting premise that postulates humans are getting too soft and we should do hard things to toughen up. Perhaps Michael Easter should come live in my neighborhood and shovel 900 inches of snow. Then we’ll see who’s tough.
Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell - I quite enjoyed Jenny’s last book, How to Do Nothing, and wanted to see what else she had to say to help inspire my quest to simplify my life and enjoy it more. Mostly, it made me shake my fists at The Man and question life in general. Honestly, I do this most days, so it just fed into that impulse and gave fuel to the fire that life doesn’t have a defined purpose, so do whatever brings you joy, because that’s the only reason that makes sense.
Bittersweet by Susan Cain - As an introvert, I really appreciated Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, so I thought I’d see what else she had to say. As someone who weirdly likes feeling melancholic, loves moody weather, relishes canceling plans, and often experiences anemoia, or nostalgia for a time that predated me or maybe never existed, I enjoyed this deep dive into all things bittersweet.
Fiction
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Definitely my favorite novel of the year. Just a lovely, engaging book about a wise octopus in an aquarium that causes mayhem, but also brings people together in a way they never knew they needed. They are after all, remarkably bright creatures.
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica - need a fast, gripping read, that will leave you on your toes? This will do it.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus - Delightful, witty, interesting, and a thought-provoking romp through mid-century sexism, with just enough of a love story thrown in, but not quite a romance. Just found out it’s a TV show now on Apple, so I guess I’ll be adding that to the queue.
The Guide by Peter Heller - This was my first foray into Peter Heller and I feel like his books should have been on my radar long ago. Basically romance novels out in the wilds with bold heroes with strong jawlines. I mean, who doesn’t love a troubled 30-something recovering from a traumatic expedition, who just wants to chill out and teach rich people to fly-fish, but falls in love with a gorgeous and famous musician just trying to escape her complicated life, all while trying to uncover a diabolical plan. We listened to this as an audiobook on a road trip and I’ve been saving the prequel, The River for our next long drive.
Heartbreaker by Sarah Maclean - Any romance by Sarah Maclean is worth the read and this Hell’s Belles series she is in the middle of, is excellent. So lovely to read about strong, independent heroines who don’t really need any help, but it sure is nice when the help comes in the package of a viral man. Seriously, just give them a try.
Who’s That Earl by Susanna Craig - Romance, Scottish Highlands, castles, lurid gothic novels. Just a delightful romp. Enjoy.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - This was my 2nd favorite book after Remarkably Bright Creatures. Or maybe tied. It was really, really good. A. I really like Mythology. B. I LOVED Circe and I will devour anything this woman writes. C. I know this came out over a decade ago, but I finally got around to reading it. D. Should have read it sooner.
I really love this comic/illustration by Sophie Lucido Johnson and just want to remind you that you’re animal and you’re supposed to rest more in the winter. Also, remember that everyone else out there is doing the best they can.
It’s not too late to join Anna Brones 24 Days of Making Doing and Being Digital Advent Calendar. Anna is a wonderful artist creating these beautiful papercuts, but also writes and runs Creative Fuel, a newsletter/group/podcast/community for people to get inspired. She does a digital advent calendar every year and it’s a joy to read each morning and has me feeling more jolly this holiday season. I highly recommend signing up for it.
Like I said, it’s the in between times for me, resting, regrouping, planning, finishing up a unique side project that I am excited to share about at a later time, and scheming up new ideas for the future. After the show, we came south to enjoy the desert, working on projects here, hiking and biking. Matt has had to commute back and forth taking one for the team while I stay here to avoid the snow for now, but I’ll be back to Park City soon enough.
In the meantime, Happy Holidays. More soon, but enough for now.
Oh wow what a treat to be reading through and thinking I should note down some of these books and then seeing the advent calendar. Thank you ❤️
700 trees! That is wonderful. I love your ornaments.