Sharing with the Community

This week marked the start of my community outreach events. The first stop was Hometown Days in Strasburg, Colorado—a small town about an hour east of Denver and one of the places where I harvest my colors.
Sharing the inks I’ve made from local plants was both deeply rewarding and, at times, a little frustrating. The joy came in watching people light up when they saw the colors and recognized plants they knew. The challenge came from the relentless wind. Everything needed to be anchored down—watercolor paper, lids, even pencils. More than once, the wind claimed victory.
There’s probably a lesson somewhere in those two experiences—something about nature always having the upper hand, or about the art of surrender. My great-niece certainly embraced it. She laughed as we chased runaway papers across the park and didn’t mind when a gust sent water tumbling over her painting. Her delight was a reminder: sometimes the best response to life’s disruptions is joy.
I will be hosting several of these events this season. The next is in Bennet, Co, for Bennet Days, the first weekend in September. And then again for Welby Days, the last Saturday in September. I hope you will join me for these opportunities to engage with the colors of the Eastern plains.

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