Happy New Year!

Always Welcome in Waring! I love to be in the countryside and am planning to spend some time this year painting in Waring again. Abbie Cotrell, herself a poet, and who introduced me to Waring (it's her house is in the painting) is a such a comfort to artists, in her presence you are fully understood and encouraged to embark on all the adventures your heart desires. We met shortly after I lost my mother and Abbie has been in blessing in my life ever since.

Mr Michael's Place is on the road to Waring and I love looking at its gorgeous old barns. I am working on a new watercolor of the place which I hope to show you soon.

Mesquite trees have been have been of growing interest to me for about a year. When I first came to Texas, I really didn't like them. Since then I have fallen under their spell. To my surprise I saw one in Monte Carlo this fall when I was riding the bus on the way to visit my cousin. It was beautiful, thriving growing in a little green area having for sole companion a young olive tree, that icon of southern Europe.
There are olive trees growing in Texas, so why couldn't mesquite trees settle in Europe and on a related note I and my Russian and German friends are thriving in Texas.