As we begin the second week of February I am also starting the second week of the Month of Love challenge; a month-long art event featuring a selection of artists and a new challenge (theme) each week. This week's theme is "Lost in Translation".

The Language of Love has many dialects. Sometimes we’re fluent and other times… it’s all Greek. 

Among many ideas the one that stood out the most on paper was this one, a little girl sharing a flower with a robot friend. I can't imagine what this giant metal automaton must be thinking but I imagine it isn't "I like you".

When I began brainstorming ideas for this first week's topic of "heroes" I kept coming back to the heroes nature and not to one specific person. In many of my ideas and word lists the theme of a hero being someone who protects the innocent, regardless of their own abilities, kept coming back to me and stuck.

I started with a quick sketch of a woman with a child fending off a dragon and went from there. Initially, the woman was going to be a knight but I decided early on that I wanted to make her more vulnerable and also a part of the larger world I have been creating (more on that later).

I've got a bit of catching up to do in regards to updating you on the paintings I've added to my portfolio recently. Currently I have one to share with some progress shots along the way.

Since getting back from a 2 month trip spent hiking and camping I thought it would be fun to share with you what is in my daypack and the art supplies I carry with me when we are out hiking for the day.

Our time here in Japan has come to a close. Before I go I wanted to write a bit about my time here and reflect on the things I’ve learned about myself.

Yesterday I closed our house up and left the key with the realtor. It was a pretty surreal experience having lived there for over 2 years. It truly became home. Most places we’ve lived I’ve left and haven’t looked back. But this place was special and I believe, in some ways, it was meant for us. Atop our windy hill, sweeping views of the valley and nightly sunsets it was the perfect place to spend our time here. I still remember the first day we saw Fuji from our office window on a clear day, massive on the horizon.

I wanted to share with you the progress images from a recent watercolor I completed back in July. I've been so thoroughly engaged in the painting process, and new projects, and packing that I've neglected to share with you some of my watercolor paintings from the last few months. I'd like to remedy that now.

I would like to start with what is still one of my favorite paintings, which I'm calling "Fen's Forest".

We just returned from a two month trip to California and for those two months we had been living out of a suitcase. Our weekends were filled with hiking trips and excursions, and offered something new and inspiring each time. But now we are home, back here in Japan. With all of our stuff. And I’m feeling that weight again: the oppressive burden that comes from “things” owning you.