[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_code]Jmx0O2JyJmd0OyZsdDticiZndDs=[/fusion_code][fusion_text]

Gardening is not outcome-oriented.  A successful harvest is not the end of a gardener’s existence, but only a phase of it.  As any gardener knows, the vitality of a garden does not end with a harvest.  It simply takes another form.  Gardens do not ‘die’ in the winter but quietly prepare for another season.”

~ James P. Carse, Finite and Infinite Games

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I saw this quote recently and another’s words of how sometimes we as artists go fallow to build up our stores. How important that time is. When we think of the garden and the dormant season, it’s really not dormant at all. It’s a time of renewal, rest, preparation, storage, quietness, and peace. As active as the growing season and harvest promise to be, the resting season is necessary for the promised abundance.

This season for me has been a time of rest but also a time of great harvests. I began to feel a bit “owned” by the demands of the business side of artistry…the ever present need to be ever-present. Every artist I know struggles with this! After all, we’d rather be in front of our easels instead of in front of the computer. But the computer demands and the audience of the now desires newness and harvest constantly.

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“Revisited”

12×18″ pastel on paper

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In taking a step back, I focused primarily on my family and the mother that I am to them…in their seasons. We are a loving, vivacious, complicated group of five navigating growth, emotions, and changes. And so many changes! My oldest is on the verge of adulthood and his own life, my middle in the midst of teenage middle-school, my youngest a spritely happy tween. My primary role right now is to them and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Simply put, my family is my world. Art is a biproduct of a healthy spirit in my home and I am so thankful that my art spirit is healthy and ever-present and that I get to watch them, help them, pray for them, guide them, and love them into themselves.

My season of “rest” here at the blog and in other avenues doesn’t mean I’ve stopped painting! I post frequently on my instagram account (@bfields to follow!) probably because it’s so easy from my mobile. I’ll also be sending out a newsletter soon with some other highlights of the year and some upcoming events…you can subscribe below.

I have a solo show closing this week at The Art Center (Dumas, Texas) where my above painting is on display along with 50 other original pastels. I’ll also be traveling to NYC this week to attend the artist’s reception for the 46th annual PSA “Enduring Brilliance” juried exhibit at the National Arts Club. I’m so thrilled to be back in the Big Apple, taking in the richness of the city, and reveling in a harvest of grace.

xoxo,

Bethany

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