Dear Life, This is a prompt from The Isolation Journals:
“In Lyrical Ballads, William Wordsworth writes, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.””
In my studio, I have the time and space to experience tranquility and creatively express “emotion recollected”. It is a spiritual and human practice of love. Today I will paint and draw then prepare the studio for a two week “Spring Break”. Campus is closed. I will let my wonderful “space” and all that is in it know that “I will be thinking of you and be back on April 7th”. I am going to CT to visit family and friends. Easter Tradition!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Palette Paper 12″ x 9″

Dear Life, Having a studio outside my apartment is good. Getting ready to go there includes making a packed lunch and considering what I need for the day. Focus comes into play on how the day might unfold. I then enjoy the 18 minute drive. Mountains, plains, and big sky are my commuting companions. Once I’m on the college campus, the walk from parking lot to studio is invigorating. Throughout the day, I walk all over the campus to look at exhibits and see other members of the community. My studio is “a place of my own” where I am enlivened with creativity, discovery, and peace. Creation.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Palette Paper 12″ x 9″ 03.20.2024

Dear Life, Sometimes it is best to focus into a small frame in order to feel stillness within the chaos. There is paradox in nature and Spirit, “the eye of the storm”. I learned this as a child growing up near the ocean. Hurricanes would blow through with enormous wind and suddenly there would be stillness followed again by the force of the storm. When it was over, we would go outside and see what was damaged by the jaws of chaos and what was found untouched. Nature and Spirit continue to teach me this while navigating life.
Be in the frame of stillness. Live through the storm with curious eyes.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Paper 12″ x 9″ Still Life 03.19.24

Dear Life, The enthusiasm of Spring sprung though my palette portrait painting! This came into being after several hours of painting a still life. I’ll show you that tomorrow. Happy to be feeling physically well and strong. Happy to be in the season of Spring.
Happy to be alive and free. Thank You Life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Palette Paper 12″ x 9″ 03.19.2024

Dear Life, Woke feeling rested and rejuvenated, ready to return to campus. I tested “negative” for Covid yesterday so I’m no threat to others. I’ll wear a mask to be cautious of not getting any other infections. I did all my “make up” work: a one page paper and a painting. Happy to have a reprieve from cancer treatments. Onward into the day with enthusiasm!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic o Paper 12″ x 9″ Homework: Still Life

Dear Life, What is “golden?” Waking after 10 hours of sleep feeling rested and well. Energy rising with the sun. Awake to the birds including Mourning Doves singing a symphony. Not needing to take any medication today. Coffee tasting like coffee. Creative ideas surging through me. Today I will return to the studio after a week of Covid recovery. I’m feeling golden!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Paper 12″ x 9″ 03.07.2024

Dear Life, The Covid medication is working. Symptoms are being relieved and I feel a little better each day. I’m grateful this is not the nightmare I had in December when I seriously thought Covid was going to kill me, a terrible injustice for a person with cancer! Life and death are real topics for me. One of the “side effects” of cancer is a greater appreciation of living in the moment, appreciating people, places and things, the daffodils blooming on the kitchen counter. I am blessed with a Spirit that sees with eyes of beauty on cloudy days.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Paper 12″ x 9″ 03.06.2024

Dear Life, I tested positive for Covid on Sunday morning before having friends to my apartment for a celebration party… 43rd Sobriety Day! Cancelled a week of plans including classes and called the doctor. I am taking Covid medication and beginning to feel better. All your well wishes on Sunday had a double impact. I am healing. Thank you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, My Higher Power carried me into a 12-step program for living 43 years ago! Thank you everyone. I am grateful for 15,695 days of sobriety!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose