So it begins!

  With a successful Third Annual Clue Hunt on the Bayou behind us now, my thoughts have turned to a different project.  Gourds!  Each year, several kind folks order hand-painted or jewel inlaid gourds as gifts for those on their Christmas gift lists.  It is perhaps the highest compliment that can be given to an aspiring artisan to have repeat clients.  Some of mine have been returning for over ten years and it never ceases to thrill me.  I recall the first "order" that I ever received and the feeling was a mixture of gratitude and success.  I had sold an art piece!  Today's order thrills me just as much and I am still just as grateful as I was with that first sale.  

  With that in mind, I lugged out the huge basket of paints, the box of brushes and the sack of cleaned gourds.  These would soon become art pieces that will be put before the prospective clients for their final approval.  First, however, I had to become inspired.  I had to wrap my brain around painting happy little flowers and birds rather than creating clue hunt props.  There is a massive difference in the two and switching from one to the other involves me shifting gears, so to speak.  To find my "happy" creativity, I delved into my stash of photographs from the Bayou and gardens.  Something there always does the trick.  A photograph of my sister-in-law's clematis plant seemed to grab my attention so I had a beginning!  Clematis blooms would adorn the first gourd.  (This worked well as one lady had specified that she "loves purple flowers"!  Hopefully, she will love my purple flowers.)

  For the next few weeks, the living room will become an artist's studio. Things will be scattered about hither and yon.  My room will be in a disarray but the production of gifts will be in full swing. What fun I have!