I have updated my website with some of my newer paintings.  They are listed under the gallery 2015 page.  I am not certain that they are 100% complete but they are finding their way towards completion.

What is in the works?    I will be participating in a painting boot camp for 6 weeks from late February through the month of March. Looking forward to new lessons, new inspiration  and heightened passion.  I have been working diligently on a business plan for 2015.  My hope is to participate this year in a couple of fine art festivals or shows.   I am applying now as most of them are juried meaning you have to be "chosen".  For the month of February I am exhibiting two pieces  at the Western Colorado Center for the arts membership show.   I am showing " Wait for the clarity" as well as " On sand of Tumeric"














 






















 Lastly, I have been chosen to be the featured artist in the Grand Valley magazine for the month of March.  This is a very nice magazine featuring the local treasures of this area.  I will be interviewed and several images of my work will be featured.  That feels like a very exciting accomplishment. 

 My hope is to share my art in a wider circle and to infuse the world with a touch of beauty. !!  In advance, thank you to those who appreciate my art enough to share it with those that they know.  Like a ripple on a pond ....

This painting below is  an abstract.  It feels like there is a lot of flurry and movement.   There are times when my life seems similar.  When the motion of all that goes on around me has me feeling like my foundation is weak.  This is a reminder to listen to the stillness that dwells within each of us.  

"Within you , there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself"...Hermann Hesse
I know that that stillness is immediately accessible but sometimes it is easy to feel like it is unreachable.  

In a world full of fear, be courageous
In a world full of lies, be honest
In a world where few care, be compassionate
In a world full of phonies, be yourself ( authentic)
Because the world sees you.  The world hopes for you
The world is inspired by you.  The world can be better because of you
                               Doe Zantamata
                              

With the arrival of a new year, I have contemplated what would I like to do better?   I spoke with a coworker yesterday and she said, " I would like to be more generous".  I could not agree more.  I have all of my needs met.  I often wish I had more set aside for retirement so I can travel the world and yes, that is something that I dream of.    I  wish I could be mortgage free!  I wish I could come and go as often as I please . ( that is that gypsy in me that many of you know).  

Yesterday I saw a family in my office that left me  feeling such a huge burden.  I have been taking care of them for 3 years.  They are polite, compliant and sweet.  Their life has been and is a struggle every day ( from my perspective).  In light of HIPAA laws  ( federal privacy laws), I certainly can not share details. He has very serious chronic medical disease and mental health issues.  She is the rock of the family.  She has worked at pizza hut for the last 3 years. Time and time again they have struggled to eat.  She would bring the pizza hut leftovers home for the family.  

A very traumatic and tragic thing happened with their 15 year old son in the last several months.  I can not share the details.  I can guarantee that if most of us experienced this we would not be able to carry on.  In the aftermath she lost her job and is interviewing for new work.  They are authentic, honest people who are living in poverty.  Last year for a couple of months they were living in a motel.   I am seriously terrified about the potential outcome for this family.  It breaks my heart that so many families face homelessness.  How can this happen in the USA? 

Despite it all, they are kind, compassionate and always do what I ask them to do to improve their situation.  When they left my office yesterday, I sat at my desk and sobbed.  I have been doing this for 20 years but I have never been so struck by a situation where I thought , " how do you put one foot in front of the other?"   I would be utterly paralyzed.  In fact, I truly think if i faced what they deal with every day I would be 100% suicidal.  

What she left me with is " I have always believed that things happen for a reason,   I can not tell right now what that reason is but I believe it to be true".  

I have decided to try to give to this family in any way that I can.  Perhaps it crosses physician/patient boundaries.  Perhaps it does.  But I feel compelled to give to my brother.  We are called to carry each other's burdens.  I am not certain that I can truly call myself a Christian but I do believe in this basic tenant. 

I have decided to sell raffle tickets for my very first painting.  It holds a very special place in my heart.  It is the painting that I painted as I worked my way through breast cancer treatment.  It is about courage and being bold and brave.   On my website this painting is listed at $750.  I will be selling raffle tickets for it.  The person who wins the raffle will win the original painting.  All proceeds will go to this family.  That they may have food, housing and legal support.  Organization is not my strong point so suggestions would be welcome.  I would recommend $25 for the price of a raffle ticket.  If someone decides that they want to buy the original painting outright for $750, 100% of the proceeds will go to this family.  

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill  the law of Christ.     Galatians 6:2

I am profoundly grateful in advance for your participation.  If you are interested in donating to this cause, please go to paypal.com and use the address staciabaker2012@gmail.com or contact me at staciabaker2012@gmail.com

Stacia