I can't explain to you what art means to me here. (Because "pretty much everything" is a lot to put in one single trail journal entry.)

I can tell you that people are where art is and that art, in it's highest form, brings people together, even if together within themselves.

I might be getting myself into a bigger discussion here than I'm intending, but it's hard for me, personally, to separate people from art. And, frankly, I never want to!

Art + People = Life. And I love life!

Art has been my number one preferred method of communication from the time I was a little girl first able to access it. For some years I didn't communicate in the flesh much at all, but I was always creating in my mind. I utilized as many art materials as I could think of and spoke to (and with) as many people as I could imagine.

I was never alone.

But in recent years I have found myself oddly lost and lonely the more this dirt trail journey has brought me to myself. What was in my mind was also in my heart and I wanted to open it all up to the world, not just myself.

There's a story to how this all came to be and lots of reasons for the necessity of it all that someday I may work out enough to speak or write out in traditional forms, but for now I'm just so happy and thankful to be able to create real art in the company of other like-minded and like-hearted souls.

Recently, I was guided to the Belger Art Center and Red Star Studios in Kansas City, Mo and have had the blessing of becoming a shared studio member. It's new to me. A little (ok, a lot!) scary, but only fittingly so. It's exactly what I've been looking for. It's like my vision for life appearing before me in full realized form. Some very special people have been putting this in place for years, and I didn't even know!

A studio. A home. A space to share.

A place to grow a little more skill in bravery and love for the journey.

They made a space for me! When I went for the orientation tour I was told I'd have my name tagged on a shelf just like everyone else there!

I have a lot to process and a lot to learn. I always do, but especially now!

I trust what needs to be unearthed will work it's way out through my hands deep in clay; through challenging myself to continually show up for myself and others, even on the days it feels impossible.

I'm digging in. I'm reaching out...up, over, through and beyond.

For now, I give my voice over to my fingertips and the universal language of life and light in all the various forms it takes through the process of art.

And just in case it's been a while since I mentioned it: Never Give Up.

I knew it had to happen
Felt the tables turnin'
Got me through my darkest hour

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