I wished for love – I have been loved.

I wished for money – it came and went.

I wished for a car – it was freedom!

I wished for long hair – then cut it all off.

I wished for a job – I got a paycheck.

I wished for a warm winter – I still do.

I wished for excitement – and found it.

I wished for a divorce – and got it.

I wished for peace of mind – daily.

I wished for wonder – and it surrounds me.

I wished for escape – and learned how to leave.

I wished for a studio – dreams come true.

I wished for New Mexico – days of heaven.

I wished for connections – where is my tribe?

I wished for friends – they give me joy.

I wished for a road trip – to never end.

I wished for my youth – and I got a grandchild.

I wished for a good nights sleep – and to die peacefully in it. 

I wished for art school – where I found myself.

I wished for a pony – but never got it.

I wished for my period – most of the time it came.

I wished for a girl – and got a boy, with no regrets.

( see ART tab for  WHAT I WISHED FOR  canvas collage)

I am geographically blessed. I was made in the USA …how about you?

Happy Birthday America!

( photo by Catherine Massaro)

It’s a universal truth : giving back what we receive gives life meaning. 

Where did I get it?   JUNKEE CLOTHING EXCHANGE, 960 S. Virginia Street, Reno, NV

Gifts come in many forms. One of my favorite lately is being given the honor to talk to people about living a creative life and my colorful journey of same.The reason I mention gratitude is when I talk about the history of this journey to people, I am constantly reminded of the many people who contributed to it and help make it possible. From teachers, to friends, to my husband, who made it possible for me to become a full time artist. No small gift. But my journey up to then had been my own, with many mentors both in the business world and the art world, and their encouragement and advice have impacted me greatly over the years.

This week I had a lovely studio visit and lunch outing with David Smith, Dean of Schreiner University and one of his students from the art program there, Karli Fischer.

Karli is not even in her senior year, but already anxious about what the transition from school to the real world will be like. Will she find a job? Will it be a rewarding job?And as she spoke, she talked about her insecurities about this and that, but the way she communicated told me she already has the confidence and drive to make it, whatever it is.

The best part about living a creative life is the endless possibilities to experience and share what you experience from your unique point of view. And jobs are just one of those areas where once you get out of school you are able to utilize your unique viewpoint. Hopefully employers in Karli’s future will be looking for those people who want to share the unique way an artistic eye has of communicating and navigating our complicated, busy world. Our job as artists is to notice things, make connections with life from those observations, and try to share that experience through our art.

I could talk to young people all day long and get excited about what lies ahead for them. Their lives and careers are so full of possibility. While Karli is filled with uncertainty for now, experience tells me she is going to be more than fine. She should know that uncertainty is going to be her best friend for years to come. Living a little on the edge will keep you sharp, curious, engaged and inspired.

So my gratitude is to you Karli, for letting me into this exciting part of your life, and to David for keeping me connected to the fresh minds coming out of art programs.