80 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com Betty Boop Sweetie | 1644 Altamont Lane, Odessa, FL 813.355.6285 EARSRescue.org • earsrescue@gmail.com A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT SHELTER               Our Adorable Adoptables: Of wo Meet T Two   Our Adorable Adoptables:   EarsRescue@gmail.com | 813.355.6285 .R A mail E. please call or e e about Betty Boop or Sweetie, o inquir T To inquir   EarsRescue@gmail.com .S. e about Betty Boop or Sweetie,   T A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT SHELT EARSRescue.org • earsrescue@gmail.com 813.355.6285 Odessa, Altamont Lane, 1644 BrandonHo sponsored by This ad is   TER EARSRescue.org • earsrescue@gmail.com FL onda.com Music Is Art For Mood The pups and I love all genres of music and listen to music continuously. It has a way of inspiring me artistically in many ways. From Rap to Classical. It all serves a unique purpose and helps me depending on what mood I am in on any given day. Things On My Desk Reflect Where I’ve Been & Who I Am There are several special items on my desk that are near and dear to my heart and inspire me everyday. I took a pottery class and made a few pieces that certainly don’t look like much but constantly remind me to always try new things.I have pictures of my family and especially my grandchil- dren, who remind me to keep my inner child and play as often as I can. I also have memorabilia from my many travels and places we have lived to inspire me to con- tinue exploring this beautiful world. My most cherished item is my mother’s large studio easel that she used for all of her painting.It may sound funny, but right after she died, I could feel her essence – her aura I guess you would say – surrounding me when I would paint using her easel. It had such a calming effect on me as though she was giving me direction as I painted.Whenever I need to relax and get into a zone of painting,I use her easel. If I’m Not Painting, It’s On My Mind I had an idea for writing and illustrating a children’s book using my pups as the characters and was pleasantly surprised when a writer friend approached me on a possible collaboration. Being a school librarian for most of my life, this has always been a dream of mine. Routine Is Not A State Of Mine My daily life is anything but routine, but there is one aspect of my morning that remains constant. During the week, I am up at 5:00 a.m. with my husband. We spend time having coffee and breakfast before he starts his day.Thankfully, unlike him,I am now retired which gives me the luxury of easing into my day and enjoy- ing each moment. It is amazing, when you love what you do it does not become a burden or a chore but is actually fun and exciting. Today Is The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life Around 7 a.m., with a cup of coffee in hand, I head up three flights of stairs to the art loft studio.Oh,and I must not for- get to immediately come back down to get two pups who may be sitting patient- ly at the bottom of the stairs with a look on their face that says “speed it up mom, we’re waiting!” This now results in two more trips up and down, as I can only carry one pup at a time. I attend to the routine part of my business: checking in and posting new artwork on social media, adding a new blog, artwork, updates, and content to my website. Around mid- morning I take a break with the dogs. When I return to the studio, adding two more trips upstairs with pups, I usually begin painting on one of the two to three pieces I have going at once.When I am in my “painting zone,” time can very easily get away from me. Two to four hours painting usually means skipping lunch. Since I work alone, it is important to stay connected with the artist community through different art groups. Being con- nected offers many art related activities, such as demonstrations, workshops and many other learning forums. It also gives me an opportunity to gain further knowl- edge and understanding from emerging techniques, style, composition and color. This also includes entering as many small venues in order to display my work which includes putting art in our monthly local Art Walk and the National Arts Program for emerging and professional artists. There are so many aspects to being a full-time artist that not many realize it is not all about painting. However, I am happy to say that all this hard work does pay off in many ways. It certainly has helped to build my confidence, especially when I come home with an award, but the main benefit is that of a job well done. When a person cries tears of joy as I present their precious dog portrait to them, it sends me a clear message that I am doing something right and nothing gives me more joy. After a full and productive day in the studio, which may or may not include several more puppy trips up and down stairs, we finally make our last descent (around 4:00) and prepare to greet my husband as he walks in the door. My Winding Road continued