Desert Rtist

I have come to realize that every day is a gift and that we should celebrate the day in some way. Sometimes it is a small celebration and others a large one. Sometimes you have to celebrate the day by yourself and sometimes you can share it with others. It does not have to require money, but for me, I have to physically do something I enjoy like painting, taking a walk, eating something special, spending time with a loved one or family member, going to a special place like a bookstore to look at books on exotic places, seeing some kind of performance; music, dance,theatre. I daydream alot about beautiful exotic places so when I am stressed out, I think of some far away place to take myself.
I read alot about women who have a hard time with midlife and out of fear or concern, I take alot of steps to prevent these things from happening to me. For instance, I eat a very healthy diet of mostly vegetables, fruits,legumes, grains and fish. I exercise every day by walking 5-6 miles and lift weights every other day. I also do yoga twice a week and meditate/chant every day. I take vitamins and try to repeat certain positive thoughts to myself throughout the day. It is not easy to do all these things but they have become like second nature to me. I do not want the world to get to my inner peace and beauty. It helps to have friends to get you through midlife, people who can validate your efforts and encourage you to grow. Our western culture is so based on material and physical success, it is hard sometimes to stay clear of these things. Sometimes it takes alot of effort but if you truly believe that your body is the temple of God than you won't be swayed so easily.

Have you noticed that every gallery is showing abstract or very modern art? I am a realistic painter and I would like to find a gallery to represent my work. I paint beautiful things that surround my life; the desert, the streets of the historic barrio in Tucson, my diverse friends and family who are multi-ethbic and snipets from the cultural life here.