taking time to smell the roses

Hello friends, I've been busy with not being so busy.  While I did complete a painting in October, the month of November has been about being thankful and taking the time for myself. 
I helped out a friend with another cat sitting gig.  Bought myself a few new pieces of clothing.  Went on a trip with my daughter Christa to Mexico City, where we visited the castle in the huge park that is bigger than New Yorks Central Park, enjoyed excellent Pizza and walked around the tree lined streets.   We then flew to Ixtapa and stayed at the Worldmark Resort in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The resort was fantastic, and the beautiful bay and local people were so kind, and we just really loved it.   I do plan on returning another time.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Christa, time to swim in the pool, walk around Mexico City and Zihuatanejo.  While we were in Zihau, we met several people from Washington state also visiting the area.  We also went over to what they call the island and, on the way, met a local man who was wearing a Seahawks Jersey #12, and worked at a beach restaurant with the Seahawks flag, it's a small world.  We spent the day at this restaurant lounging, enjoying the turquoise waters and eating great food.

It was a lovely vacation, and I didn't realize how much
I actually needed to go and see some different sites of Mexico and break up my weekly routines.  

I am home now and have started creating a brand-new piece for the series Unified Light.  I plan to share it with you in my December Blog.  

I love random ways the universal sends you gifts. 
How when your attracted and passionate about something, the thing your passionate about shows up everywhere you go, even with your loved ones when you're not even around.  

While Christa and I were in Mexico City,
I see this man walking in the street wearing a pair of white overalls...
I had been thinking about getting a pair for painting in. 
Well, this man was covered in paint...Jaja Jaja...
I knew he was an artist the moment I saw him. 
So of course, I waved at him and Christa, and I stopped to chat with him.   
His name was Nicolas Guzman, and he had been creating in his art studio
and was just taking a break for a cup of coffee, a coincidence? 
You can check out his work @studionicolasguzman on Instagram. 

Then when I returned,
I was invited to a wonderful reception for a Group Art Exhibition at Niss Gallery in Huayapam, Mexico. 
@nissgaleria on Instagram

I have met some really talented artists here in Mexico and two that I follow, and love
are Ayanna Mojica and Echieko Wenrich Clegg.
​@ayannamojica    @echieko333

​Below is a picture of the Niss Gallery Collective Reception with the owner of the building cutting the red ribbon, and artist Nicolas Guzman from Mexico City.  

The very next day after Niss Gallery reception I went to Yoga with Christa,
something I try to do faithfully every Friday through Sunday.
She began telling me what a lovely evening she had taking herself out on a date. 
While she was there, her beautiful glow attracted some other ladies at the same restaurant wine bar. 
As she was leaving, they ask her to stop and talk with them. 
Turns out one of them is a gallery owner here in Oaxaca, and also in California.
​What are the chances? Coincidence?
They invite her to come have dinner and get to know them, and Christa asks if she can invite me also. 
What a lovely coincidence, and wonderful opportunity to meet new people and who knows where it will lead. 
Don't you just love how beautiful life works and how you get to meet such interesting and incredible people.  Everywhere we turn beauty surrounds us if were expecting beauty to surround us. 
Opportunity and gifts follow us if we recognize them as gifts and opportunities. 
I like to think of every person that comes across my path as a beautiful gift,
and if you are reading this blog, that includes you.  
Thanks for supporting me, I really do appreciate you tremendously.  
Hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving with your friends and family
and that lovely coincidences are happening for you.

You can also find me on Instagram @johannaleelarson_artwork