This Threshold

I love this little hare, depicted fearlessly
leaping off a small precipice into the
unknown. I often imagine the marvelous
adventures my furry friend will encounter
as he boldly steps into the future.

He is such a vivid reminder to me to be
brave, listen and follow my heart, always,
even when I feeI shy or scared to take a
chance. And that sometimes there is no
way to know where life will lead you until
you reach for your dreams.

Tomorrow is the beginning of a
new month...
a new year...
a new decade...
and I am eager to embrace the coming
days. There is lots happening in this
studio of mine. So without further
adieu, I would love to share some
INCREDIBLE news with you.

I am thrilled to announce that I will
be working closely in the coming
months with the talented staff of
Windham Fabrics/Baum Textiles
to develop the...

Tracie Lyn Huskamp Fabric Collection!

This new line will feature designs based
on my Nature Inspired Artworks with the
first fabrics debuting in the Fall of 2010,
and available for purchase in Retail Fabric/
Quilt Shops soon after the debut.

I am so EXCITED to once again be working
in the area of retail product design, and
especially OVER THE MOON to be creating
retail products inspired by my own
personal art. This is truly a dream realized.

I look forward to sharing this journey with
updates, so be sure to stay tuned.

Because of this new opportunity, I will be
focusing a large part of my efforts to
licensing in 2010, which will require me
to scale back on my current teaching
activities.

Although I love teaching workshops and
can't ever imagine myself abandoning this
wonderful facet of my life, I definitely
want to concentrate future efforts in
accepting teaching opportunities so
as to keep the experiences intimate
and limited, thus ensuring the magic
of it continues.

But never fear, even though I am scaling
back on teaching, I already have some
SUPER workshops scheduled for
this coming year, so I hope you will join
me. And remember, you can always find
a current list of venues, in the right most
column of my blog. In fact, my first
workshop will be at the end of January.

If you live in or near the Los Angeles area,
I invite you to participate in a very lovely class
at the famous and quite charming emporium,
the French General.

French General Owner Extraordinaire,
Kaari Meng, has asked me to come and
share my painting and poetry writing
techniques. Participants will be creating
an endearing keepsake that is absolutely
guaranteed to chase away the winter blues!

The class is from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday,
January 23rd. You can call (323) 668-0488
to reserve your place or select the following
link - French General and go to "Workshops"
to register on-line.

* All supplies are included in the cost of the
class, but space is limited so don't wait!

There is more good news to come,
but for now, here is wishing you...

A Very Happy New Year!!

Deep Gratitude

I love celebrating all the holidays, particularly
Christmas. Just like in years past, it is hard
to believe that this most wondrous day is
almost here. Especially since, I have spent
the last week in bed, recuperating from
oral surgery.

Not only have I been trying to do my best to
get lots of rest, I have also been feeling so
grateful for family and friends that have called
or dropped by to check on me, for experiencing
such an INCREDIBLE year... like having
my beautiful book published, being able to visit
England, and once again having the opportunity
to share my love of Nature through teaching art.

And grateful to you, dear reader...Many THANKS
for visiting this blog of mine. I ADORE
hearing from each and every one of you. Your
lovely comments always fill me with such
happiness... I truly hold your words close to
my heart.

We are expecting a deep snow on Christmas Eve
which will leave the Plains dressed in white, adding
the most perfect bit of magic to the upcoming holiday.

I also look forward to sharing some BIG NEWS
with all of you on New Years, regarding several very
exciting happenings for 2010.

Until then wishing you and yours...
Much Warmth, Peace, Happiness,
and may your days be Merry & Bright!

For Safe Keeping...

I have been working away in my studio over these last
several weeks of December, painting and collaging small
gifts to give.

What most often happens, when I have completed an
artwork, is that I display the finished piece on my
work table. It may only be exhibited there for a couple
of hours or perhaps a day or two. But this particular
work graced my space for over two weeks before I
could bring myself to wrap it.

The little painted bird reminded me so much of my
experiences in late January/early February when our
neighborhood was hosting quite a large flock of Robins.

At any time during the day, I could glance out the window
and count at least 10 to 20 or more Red-Breasted friends
devouring berries from the crab-apple tree or in the yard.
It was sheer and utter delight watching them.

Now, here at the end of the year, I wonder if I will be
fortunate enough to witness this same miracle in
the coming days. Only time will tell... but until then,
I am glad to have the beautiful memory of those
moments tucked away in my heart for safe keeping.

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Bitter cold has come to these Plains
with temperatures hovering near
zero degrees over the last week.

This blast of Winter has left my
surrounding landscape, frozen in
a most graceful state of repose.

It's as if a moment has been
captured, with bits of flora and
foliage perfectly preserved in
their last struggles, still clinging
to branch and vine, fervently trying
to bring forth one more bloom, or
another burst of color.

And in this perfect peace, the rose
bush, just outside my front door,
also holds lingering reminders of
the Summer season long past.
Filled with tiny buds along side
withering petals.

I snapped a few photos of various
rose clusters, none of which are
really worthy to be shown. However,
these images did inspired a painted
remembrance of such Midwinter's day.
"The mellow year is hasting to it's close;
The patient beauty of the scentless rose,
Oft with the Morn's hoar crystal quaintly glassed,
Hangs, a pale mourner for the Summer's past."

Upon a Winter's Day...

" A lady sits round a radiant fireplace,
enclosed in a tumultuous privacy of storm."

-R.W. Emerson

Thankful

Thank You... THANK YOU!

I have enjoyed every minute of hosting this Holiday Open House!

These last three weeks have been filled with such joy for me...
packing boxes of special gifts and decorations to brighten your
holidays.

The only thing that would have made these moments any better
would have been to have you all gathered here in my home, where
I could share a cup of Christmas tea. And of course, I would have
been able to give everyone a BIG hug to show my sincere
appreciation for visiting this blog of mine and my little shop.

Although, the holiday ornaments are no longer available, there are still
beautiful Notecards, Tags, and copies of my new book, Nature Inspired
that will continue to be for sale through Tuesday, December 15th. These
make wonderful gifts for friends and come wrapped and ready for giving.

So, without further adieu... I would like to announce the winners of
my Vintage HOME Garland Giveaway. The lovely recipient are Cheri
Crocket. I will be mailing your treasure to you by Friday, December 11th.

And I invite you to come back and see The Red Door Studio Etsy Shop
starting Saturday, January 16th. I will be offering a selection of
Original Paint and Poetry Valentines as a perfect heartfelt treasure
for someone special or maybe for yourself.

Happy Christmas to one to ALL!