I had the great fortune of spending my birthday, earlier this month, in the Napa Valley area. The landscape was mind blowing...the colors, the sky...it made me feel like I was in a painting!

But what I appreciated most was that the quaint community was filled with passionate individuals, pursuing their dreams and creating their "art." I encountered farmers and winemakers and chefs with passion seeping through their pores and my favorite part of my trip was speaking with these lovely people about their unique creations and the unique journeys each of them had in route to unearthing their "gold."

One farmer told me it can take up to seven years before his particular grape is ready to harvest to make wine. Seven years!

My conversation with him led to an overwhelming appreciation for the individuals of our world who have the courage to give up the pursuit of our culture standards - quick, easy and convenient - and instead cultivate quality, excellence, and beauty.

He also got me thinking metaphorically about planting and harvesting...

What is it that I want to "plant" in this season of my life? A tomato seed cannot produce pumpkins. What is it that, one day down the road, I'd like to "harvest?" Am I "planting" the right "seeds?"
Am I enjoying the journey from "seed" to "fruit?" It might take longer than I think it should. (Like seven years!) How can I surrender to the process and be present with the beauty of each stage of growth?
Is the environment conducive for this "seed" to grow and mature?

Although most of my reflection on planting and harvesting was metaphorical, the last question was a bit more literal for me because I'm very sensitive to environments and spaces. For example, the way I arrange my studio has an affect on how I feel and, therefore, has an affect on the art that I create.

So once I got clear on what I wanted to "plant" in this season of my life, I changed up my environment...I cleaned my studio, moved works in progress around, changed the position of my couch and updated my vision boards...and the new environment created different energy and as a result birthed a whole new body of work.

Before going to Napa, I had a month-long exhibition in Palm Desert, California. Two women who I respect deeply, both personally and professionally, hosted this exhibition for me. So needless to say, I was incredibly touched by their desire to share my work with their clients in this way.

Carla Kalwaitis (pictured on the right below) is an amazing interior designer and Kristi Hanson (pictured on the left) is an incredible architect. You can browse Kristi's work here and see if you can spot some of my artwork in the residential gallery.

we all move forward when
we recognize how resilient
and striking the women
around us are

**Rupi Kaur**

There is nothing that excites me more than individuals with different talents, skill sets, and passions (like an artist, interior designer and architect) coming together to elevate the whole. I truly believe the more we do this for each other, the brighter and brighter our future becomes.

I'm so grateful for mentors like these in my life!

Cheers,

Birthday Getaway