Katie Musolff

Who Knows What Comes Next

Spring is here, that I know. The ground has erupted in color and branches are started to be obscured by leaves budding out. We have a summer and fall show schedule but it's all up in the air, so I will wait a little to post it. I don't know what the next few months will be like, but I know I'll either be painting or in the garden. Either way, my hands will be dirty. That's nice.

New Life in the Dead of Winter

Here's to new beginnings.

We've made it through this year and we'll see what this next one brings. Hopefully we can find it in ourselves to heal and come together, which is not easy. But it takes little steps, patience and most of all forgiveness. I don't say any of this from a place of preaching, more like from the fox hole. As I watch the campaign signs slowly, slowly, being taken down around our farm, either by human hands or the winter weather; I am reminded of what it used to look like. Just houses and land occupied by animals and people. I know the harsh feelings still pulse beneath the surface but we have to get on with it. Life keeps moving along.

Finally Turned on the Heat in the House

Painting the very last sunflower, now they are officially bird food.

This is the happiest tomato I met this summer, and Yes, I painted him. It's a him, I'm pretty sure.

If you came to the farm this summer, tomatoes were forced upon you. We grew over 3500 of them.

Recognize some of those tarps? They are our show tents and it's the only time they got used this year.... Sigh.... to keep the frost from killing the peppers and tomaotes.

So, the temperature is majorly dropping tonight. The garden is just about done, with the hardiest to scrape through for few more weeks or so. I'm doing more night painting with less daylight and the stress to paint everything inch of still green life is growing stronger. Every year, I do this to myself. I demand that I paint everything I couldn't get to during the summer. My studio fills with jars of nearly dead flowers that I keep on life support for the sake of my art. And yet, everyday, I scold myself for failing to catch all the falling leaves and check the weather for killing temps. Never mind that I've worked my butt off all summer gardening and painting, but the feeling of on-coming cold and darkness really comes on thick. Deep breath. I will do what I can do...... at least I made my bed this morning.

At least ONE thing is going right this year.

My husband and I have been pouring ourselves into our garden seeing as we can't go to too many places anymore. Our shows are canceled but we are still plugging along and painting away. With everything tumbling around us, at least we get to have our family and friends stop by and pick up some produce. Thank you to everyone who has kept in touched and purchased work.

New Work, New Garden, New Problems

Perpetual Adoration of the Tanager

With no official art festivals to be had and a world in turmoil, art is still being made. And since we seem to have more time on our hands, we put in a new garden - 130 x 15 feet. So look for new veggie paintings as the year rolls on. I'll be sure to make one of the thinnings, poor little guys.

This piece, Perpetual Adoration of the Tanager was accepted into this years Birds In Art Show at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau WI. It opens Saturday, Sept 12.

Painting as the World Tumbles Along

Well, we are staying in. Our pantry is full, feeling prepared. Just going to forge ahead knowing that the Art Festival schedule is up to change. What else is there left to do but get down to work and paint.? Also, I've been on the phone a ton lately, checking in with family and friends. It's been comforting with all the connecting. I've been hearing and reaching out to people I haven't talked to in a while. Silver lining, I guess.