This is the last painting of 2017 and the first painting of 2018. I finished 1 in the morning New Year's Day. My last painting before my birthday. This painting took twice as much time as I anticipated. So many times I thought I was almost finished and 20 hours later, I was still almost finished. At four feet square, there is a LOT of detail in this painting. I titled it Family Time in honor of my wonderful, wild, and woolly family with whom I was privileged to spend the Christmas holidays in Memphis, Tennessee. We wore mustaches for our family photos!

I also recognize that all family experiences are not filled with love and laughter. I am estranged from my birth family. I would tell you why, but it is nothing new. The same old story that we hear in Genesis. Jealousy leads to rivalry which leads to death. Fortunately, my sister has not smashed my head in with a rock, but she has told me I am dead to her. Sometimes I miss her. Sometimes I am just relieved.

Balance is tricky, or maybe it is an illusion. An abstract concept that we talk about achieving but it is ever elusive. Real or imagined, it is a worth reaching for. Here is to balance to you and yours and me and mine in 2018 and beyond!