"Hey you out there!" I say off the back of my last post. Today, I shrug off the last vestiges of the past several months to make a shout into the world.

It's Spring! Not merely the season, which comes whether anyone is ready for it or not, but the concept. Spring is a resetting. Clocks get turned ahead which makes every morning brighter. Snow and ice melt to be replaced by greenery, once again. It will amaze me for as long as I live that rhubarb WILL grow as soon as the air opens up above the ground.

In short, be the rhubarb; so is my outlook today. Excitement is bubbling away in me. Though I have to remind myself to be patient, as the Art in the Wilds show is still months away, there is not a day that passes in which I don't think about what I'll see there. Memories from past shows keep that excitement fed. The varied arts; woodworking, pottery, painting, textiles, oh my, to the artists themselves, the smell of grass and evergreens in the summer breeze!

"Hey you!" I say, to those who's eyes glance this way. "Turn to face forward. The world is out there creating brand new things. Rise and shine, then let's join in!"

Whether you are a creator or a collector, look forward to what's coming up. Spring is here so try some spring cleaning. Rearrange things in anticipation of showcasing a brand new piece of art that will make your days brighter and wonderous.

Upcoming in April, I'm going to be delving into the vast world of 'Strange Art'. Think: Aluminum Ant Hill or Colored Pencil Turning.

See you in a few days!

With the current state of things, it has been impossible for me to NOT be introspective to a monumental degree. Over these past months, the world has played out an often grim pantomime of normal life. Perhaps a play that could be described as dystopian, at least from an art lover's perspective. Priorities shifted, sometimes wildly (thank you TP shortages), and not once did I ever see or hear anyone scrabbling for creativity.

As a writer, I did find it increasingly difficult to even bother thinking about crafting anything when there were greater needs to take care of. Yet, I spent a fair amount of time wondering whether or not Art, itself, was a need; a necessity, if you will.

One thought naturally leads to another until I was down the proverbial rabbit hole. I could happily debate over the arguments regarding the need for art. However, as it's just me breathing into the ether I'll boil my thoughts down to this point: whether or not the need for art waxes or wanes, it is a part of the world at large.

Since there is creativity already rooted in everything there is, this past year of moderation has not passed without influence from the art world. We, as a people, can not get through a single day without seeing art in one form or other. From general advertising pieces to architecture, to monuments going up and coming down, to nature itself thriving in this rare reprieve we take it all in.

Art: The pinch of salt that enhances the flavor of life. Do I need art to survive? Technically not. Do I need it anyway? Absolutely.

So, as I now look forward, climbing from the rabbit hole once more, I can not help but anticipate what will bloom in the creative world this year. Me and my fellow bunnies will meet up again one day soon with stories to tell and creations to share.

Finally, o twist a quote for anyone else with a slippery grip on their artistic talents, "Make use of this rough road because it will still get you somewhere."

For a glance back, gander at this article from the New York Times on last year's moments in art.

Here we are! March of 2021 with a turbulent year behind us and prospects looking increasingly better. We are crawling into spring with the frost still clinging on.

This year, as will soon be widespread news, Art in the Wilds is going to be live once again. Nothing can replace the experience of touring Evergreen Park in the summer and visiting the tents filled with wonderous art of all kinds.

All of us are looking forward to show time in June despite, or perhaps because of, the troubles we are still going through with the pandemic. That in mind, we will be working doubly hard to prepare the 2021 show for adaption. CDC guidelines will be followed to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including our visitors!

There are projects in the works to make this year's show as great as it ever was. Stay tuned for more right here on the website and this blog.