A year ago, Madeline and I were acting in The Grand Marais Playhouse‘s production of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” one of my favorite books. I played Father Christmas, and Madeline played my elf. Yesterday we attended a matinee of the current GMP show, “Seussical.” It was an amazing production! Anyway, I thought this would be a good time to dig out a picture from last year, and wish you all a very happy holiday season.

I had a fun day today with the Artist’s Reception at Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen, MN! Lots of people came out for art and holiday cheer.

I had a fun day today with the Artist’s Reception at Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen, MN! Lots of people came out for art and holiday cheer.

I’ve done some other new paintings that I can’t show you here yet because they are commission pieces that will be Christmas presents.

Life has been so busy for me lately, and yet as is often the case, the busier my life becomes, the more I paint, too. Granted, I’ve been spending a lot of time waiting for people… the DirecTV installer, the real estate appraiser… But mostly, I’ve been very inspired lately.

I took this photo on the last day Harley Tofte came in for the season across Grand Marais harbor. One of my photos from that morning is on the front page of the Cook County News Herald this week.

I’ve done some other new paintings that I can’t show you here yet because they are commission pieces that will be Christmas presents.

Life has been so busy for me lately, and yet as is often the case, the busier my life becomes, the more I paint, too. Granted, I’ve been spending a lot of time waiting for people… the DirecTV installer, the real estate appraiser… But mostly, I’ve been very inspired lately.

I took this photo on the last day Harley Tofte came in for the season across Grand Marais harbor. One of my photos from that morning is on the front page of the Cook County News Herald this week.

I was asked to do a commission for a birthday present.

I was asked to do a commission for a birthday present.

My friend Tom and I were talking… At this time of year everything is all about what people want for Christmas. So Tom said “I Want Less.” That comment hit me over the head. It is so counter-culture. So un-american in a way. I’ve definitely been in a downsizing mode lately. Through this whole process of emptying the house, my two mantras were “Everything must go” and “surround yourself only with things that you truly love.” I think they are good lessons. Mutually exclusive? Maybe. It was ironic that after he said that, my response was to give Tom something… the painting.