Tyler Studio at Cuvee in Centerville is being built as I write this missive. I am so excited to bring this dream into reality. As the builders are busy working on the Studio, I am working on my art in the small, very small studio in the main house. When all is said and done, I will move into the new studio (24 x 30) and the tiny little studio in the main house will be repurposed as a mud room. I am hopeful that the the studio will be ready for me by the end of March. I will keep you posted.
In the mean-time:
Icons have been around for centuries. They were a major way for the Orthodox Church to tell the story of its beliefs and doctrines to the faithful. Icons were depicted in mosaics, frescoes, reliefs in wood, metal or ivory, book illuminations, embroideries and enamel work and were painted on wood panels with egg tempera.
Starting mid month I will be teaching a workshop on icons to a small group at the Methodist church in Centerville. We will use acrylic paints in the place of egg tempera. I am looking forward to doing this for several reasons. When you paint an icon, you focus on a spiritual person or a scene, one that you have chosen for some reason that is important only to you. You think about the life lived or the scene and the philosophy as you imagine. You develop a relationship along your spiritual path that deepens as you spend time creating the icon. We will start each 2.5 hour session with a short meditation to help focus on our intention for the session.
Also:
I am in the process of developing a new line of art for me. I have dubbed it “Tylers Shelf Art” 
This little piece of creative work is Titled “Cheer in Winter” . It is a 6 x 6 gallery wrapped gem that you can use to brighten your bookshelf or table. Usually paintings are hung on your wall, but these will be designed to sit on a surface. I have painted this size of canvas before with the intent that the work of art would be hung on the wall. I got this idea from a friend of mine- Jessie. She had seen some of my small works and asked if I have any new desktop art. At first I thought that she miss-spoke, but then I realized that she had a very good idea of displaying these little gems.
I still love painting large canvases and have several in mind, besides the commissions that I will be painting. All of this puts a smile on my face and in my heart.
To Be Continued….
Susan
