Random Ramblings...The TN Ragnar Relay AND New Art

Since my life has evolved into a cornucopia of crazed activity, I guess my blog must follow. Seeing that I started this blog to track my art evolution, I will post the art stuff first:

I am trying to evict that harsh and nasty art critic that lives somewhere in the wrinkles of my brain. I believe that art is for the ARTIST, and if there is an audience for the feelings that the artist puts on the canvas, then it is a bonus. When I started selling my art, I started to shift into a place where I was painting with an imaginary buyer in mind. I started to lose my creativity, vision, and passion. I started comparing myself to others, and not being very kind to myself. SOOO I declare that, from here on out, I am painting for ME. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want others to connect to my art, but it is more important that I connect to it or else there is no point. After all, anyone can go buy a pretty neat replica of a painting at Pier1, right? That being said, above is my next work in progress painted by my inner 5 year old. It is still is missing that elusive "something" that gives me the warm fuzzies, but I'm going to spend this rainy Sunday playing around with it.

On the running front, I accomplished another HUGE milestone for me. My son, a bunch of friends, and I ran the second annual Ragnar TN Relay from Chattanooga to Nashville. It was even more special for me because I thought a stress fracture that I suffered back in July had knocked me out of it, but somehow my old bone healed up and I was able to compete (and boy do I throw that word around loosely.)

In a nutshell, you have 12 people in 2 vans running nearly 200 miles. It was 30+ hours from start to finish with no sleep, no showering, no brushing of the teeth or combing of the hair, and 30 degree temperatures. And we PAID MONEY to do it. And it was WONDERFUL. Go figure. But, for non-athletic me, running has opened up a world of intense passion that I've never found elsewhere.... every run is a spiritual journey that simultaneously connects nature with soul. Go ahead and vomit. I understand.

Okay! I'm off to plan dinner and maybe drag out some of my Christmas decor and get this day going again!

Renee :)