With my son back to in-person school a few weeks ago and the routine of our daily lives returning to a normal pace, I have finally been able to return to my work as an artist. The first week of school especially felt momentous and important for both my son and me.

However, now that I am “returning to work”, I’m finding that I’m having to find my creative mental space all over again. Picking right back up where I left off pre-pandemic doesn’t feel genuine. The world is a different place, and the time that I’ve spent away from my art has let me re-evaluate where I need to focus my time. I am still excited about my art and many of the pieces that were in-progress when everything shut down, but I am more excited to experiment, to focus on improving my paintings in the areas that I know I need to grow. Then I will continue on the important pieces that wait for me on my studio wall.

With this tenuous break that, for now, allows me to return to my work, I am focusing on being in this moment. I am painting again, almost daily, with my music playing in the background and no interruptions. I know I have to put in the miles (in paint) to get to where I want to be, and I can’t wait to get started!

Finding advice and inspiration in art books and magazines as I prepared for my return to work.