Here's the last painting I did. It's from almost a year ago--at a day-long workshop with Pastel artist Maggie Price. I enjoyed myself. I was proud of my work. I have pastels, an entire pad of pastel paper and boards galore. So why are they just sitting there?

I work around art all day. I have award-winning art posted in my office. I am surrounded by the Masters. Inspiration is everywhere. I want to paint all the time. My pastel boxes are unopened.

I come home from work to be with my husband and dogs. It feels good to make dinner and talk. It feels good to take the dogs for a long walk. It feels good to read a book. So today I will not get myself down about my lack of creation motivation. Today I will remember that I "create" all the time...even if it is not visually apparent as pigment on paper. My dogs wag their tails. My husband smiles. My belly is full.

If you ever bake a round layer cake and you think it's done and get it cooling on the rack only to find out the center is still wet, don't despair--just cut out the middle, frost and stack per usual and fill the center hole with whipped cream! Worked for me and made for a great story!