Magazine Week

What fun a theme is! 

Having a purpose, an enjoyable thing to do as part of my day is proving to be wonderful. As I gather up a few summer editions of “Yankee Magazine,” (dating from 2021-2023), up pops a 2004 edition of the “American Art Review.” (The local library use to have loads of great magazines at their book sales.) 

My feast of reading about art starts with the article, “The Western Massachusetts Art Trail.”  The border to Massachusetts from here in Vermont is about a 2 hour drive (200 miles +/-). I feel giddy with dreams of going on an art excursion someday.

As it goes, it is a learning experience to select a painting from which you paint your own similar scene from life, in the style of that artist. I did that once using as inspiration a tree painting by Van Gogh. Below is my painting of a local tree.

Be inspired, read about art.

The Tree 
9x12 inch acrylic

 

How about a themed week?

Thinking again. 

A week with a theme, something light, fun, uncomplicated. A color, a fruit, a flower, a tree, a math symbol, spend less, collect pennies.

You can select a theme for each week of the month or decide when the week starts. With a mini festival vibe, a theme topic can be a mental health enhancement. 

If the theme week gets boring, then change up your focus to subjects that serve you mood best. 

Thinking into summer, my first theme is Magazines: Old or buy new, read every article, and look through it during a sit outdoors. I prefer old magazines. “Yankee Magazine,” is a favorite. Gathering the June editions I have will be an intro view of summer.

The week after will be music. In fifth grade I could read and play music on a clarinet. It has been years since I’ve read music. Time to relearn that skill. 

Moving into July 2026, colors, stripe colors. A sprinkle of stripes on a beach towel, umbrella, tee shirt, dress, sandals, or a shirt are cheery. I can browse online; and, paint my own stripe fabric designs.

A simple diversion from the routines we fall into might turn out to be more fun than anticipated. 

There’s a Way
Digital photo circa 2008