So good to hear from you all...

I hope to hear from others yet, too! And send me pictures to post--here's a new one from Margie of the artist space she's created for herself. I've posted it above the "before" photo she sent me three months ago.

That green looks very like the color I've just painted on a piece of scrap beadboard. I signed escrow papers today and immediately headed for Home Depot, where I bought four paint samples. None of them are exactly right, so it's back tomorrow. The fun has begun!

Six Months and No Longer Counting!

We've passed the six month mark since beginning our joint journey through The Artist's Way at the beginning of January, and the three month mark since completing the final chapter. I wanted to give everyone one last chance to share any news and/or images regarding your creative life, so fire away! Post your comments here and shoot me an email with any images so I can post them for you. (Pam and Jan, you've sent me personal updates--it would be great to have you post them here as well!)

I continue to do morning pages almost every day. Weekly artist dates, too, but they have been at Home Depot and Lowe's and scouring home design magazines and websites! It's been almost three months since I've been inside the house I'm buying and it's still not mine, but I believe everything is now in order and I should close within the next week. Nevertheless, I'm not counting on anything until I have keys in hand! The close date has been extended four times already.

I will be pouring all my creativity into my new home in July. I'm NOT going to feel guilty that my writing has fallen by the wayside--for everything there is a season, and when the house is move-in ready the writing season will come round again. Or perhaps I'll just be writing, for a while, about my efforts to make this house my home--just to keep my hand in.

I am stepping into the shoes of homeowner-ship as a direct result of my work in The Artist's Way. It was such a worthwhile journey that I think I may offer it through Platform 9-3/4 on an annual basis starting every January. In the meantime, except for your response to this post, the blog will be in hiatus for the next six months. I'll send an email round in late December, and if you enjoyed the journey and have friends you think would also enjoy a group approach to The Artist's Way, perhaps you will forward the information. Perhaps you'll even join us again! There is something to be said for group accountability.

Thanks once again for being such an important part of my life for many months. I look forward to keeping up with you!

Fondly,

Barbara Jean Hicks