I've just received some fabulous news from two unexpected places -- Nacogdoches, Texas and Coos Bay, Oregon -- and couldn't resist sharing it. Two of my paintings were accepted into the Texas National Juried Exhibition (in Nacogdoches, TX), and Dave Hickey, the juror, selected "Portrait of a Romance" for the Second Place cash award.   And two paintings were selected by the juror, Douglas Russell, for Expressions West 2012, a juried exhibition at the Coos Art Museum in Oregon.  He awarded the third place cash award to "Some San Francisco Ballerinas." I'm a very happy artist!

I heard today about a Martha Graham quote that was posted on the wall in a ballet studio. It is this: "Discipline is liberation."

This strikes such a profound chord with me. People often say to me, "You are SOOOO disciplined!" when talking about the long hours I spend in the studio painting. And I always answer, "It's not discipline, it is passion." And that's what the "discipline" of showing up at the easel, or the ballet barre, or the writing desk is for artists. We show up, no matter how we feel that day, knowing that the "discipline" of being there will transform and lead us eventually to the truth and beauty we are seeking.