Today is small business Saturday, and since it comes at this seasonal time of blessing-counting and thanksgiving, I wanted to write it to thank you for your support of my art and small business.

I am writing to you from Colorado, which is where my parents live and where my daughter is attending college. My son also flew in from his college home in Arizona. We are enjoying a nice visit here and I am struck by the importance of art and creative expression in my family.

As we flew here, I entertained myself by painting on my iPad. (This is the picture I was working on as I played with the digital tools.) 
 

Now let me try to paint a picture for you of the Uzwiak hearth-side scene (a somewhat less dysfunctional family hearth than the Dutton’s!) as my family has celebrated Thanksgiving weekend. The stage is set in my parents beautiful home. My mother is a semi-retired interior designer and artist, and my step-father is, among other things, a lifetime art enthusiast and collector. The home they have created is a beautiful and cozy space filled with artwork made by artists from near and far— from big-named artists of national renown to smaller, more local or personally discovered creatives. The work includes pieces made by my mother and several made by me. 

As l sit fireside in this gorgeous living room to work on my iPad and draft this message, my husband is across the room in the kitchen preparing the meal (his artistic talents are of the culinary-type today!).  My daughter sits next to me, she is currently crocheting a beanie to give to a friend. (I like to keep her close as I use these digital tools—she is especially helpful in teaching me to use the digital drawing tools, which she uses to make her own amazing art with incredible proficiency and skill.) Meanwhile, my son is showing my parents some of the features of their new camera. He has become expert in all things photography since moving out West and exploring the magnificent landscapes of Arizona and beyond. I hope to be able to showcase his awe-inspiring fine art photography on my website soon.

In this scene I am painting for you, it should be clear that art is an important part of life throughout my family. You can hear the pride I have in knowing our love for art thrives and spreads, and the legacy is growing.  My parents always supported my artistry with the same enthusiasm I have for my kids’ artistic pursuits, and we all also support other creatives in theirs. We make and collect art because  besides the beauty each piece brings, each also carries significance and special meaning.  Filling our space with artwork of all types not only beautifies, but also helps us to recall the winding paths our lives have taken. 

The knowledge that some of my art has made its way into your home fills me with the warm feeling of connection, community, even family. Thank you for supporting me in doing what I love and in letting me  have a presence, in a way, in your home and around your hearth. I am grateful to be a part of your art family!