It's finally fall here in the desert. The temperatures have fallen below 100F and rain visits every so often. It's so nice to be able to open the windows and feel the fresh air, or go outside and be able to stay out there for longer than the time it takes to walk to your car.

I'm in love with Pony Gold. Her artwork speaks my language of desert-dweller, but much more fluently. She makes me want to go up into the mountains and just draw and draw where no one's in sight (but I'm too afraid to ever since seeing 137 Hours....take a buddy!).

Random observations and notes are getting thrown in. Quotes I want to practice lettering with and ideas. And surprises from my own self, like realizing I'm a Sunday School teacher (for adults, but still!).

I'm getting the hang of markers and layering colors. I feel like I'm preparing for something, or stretching in a new direction. Everything we learn is applicable somewhere else. Promise.

I love how many outlets I've been able to play with over the years, but feel like I've finally figured out what my visual language is and what it is I want to paint.

For example, I love my thick, layered, textured acrylic paintings. They take me out of my very body, and I dance with my feet as well with my hands. These pieces continue to surprise me and fuel my curiosity, introduce me to colors and how they work together.

But then, there's markers. They layer beautifully like oil paint, layers and layers of thin applications of color that take a different type of layering knowledge, but I can fuse the two together somehow.

I also really like to have color with me everywhere, no matter where I go. And I'm feeling less than stellar about my drawing skills lately, so I'm hitting them hard and moving through it all.

Beloved pen pal through the wires, these are my thoughts tonight, and the spread I couldn't wait to share. I'll write more tomorrow, when I'm not knee deep in orders and emails.

Xoxo, S.