"Pure Joy," Ozzie, a Yorkie mix

"Pure Joy (Ozzie)," 8" square, commissioned pet portrait depicting Ozzie, a yorkie-maltese mix, acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!). Inquiries may come to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

There's been so much gloom and doom in the news lately, especially around Detroit. In 2009 I will focus on beauty and laughter more often. Not that I plan to turn my back on the hardship - I simply want to set time aside daily where I am consciously grateful for the wonderful things in my life. I want to wrap my joy in a smile or hug, and pass it on - happiness is something that has gone missing in many lives lately. And we all deserve at least a glimmer of it each day, regardless of our circumstances.

Here's a bit of a serendipitous poem that a friend shared this morning. From Solitude, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox -

"LAUGH, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone.

For the sad old earth must borrow it's mirth,

But has trouble enough of it's own.

Sing, and the hills will answer;

Sigh, it is lost on the air.

The echoes bound to a joyful sound,

But shrink from voicing care. ...."

Thanks, as always, for looking at and sharing my paintings with friends and family.

See you tomorrow - now I'm off to see what sorts of echoes I can create -

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

www.turtledovedesigns.com