This month’s featured work is Calm Water, a 36x36 acrylic on canvas that captures the gentle ebb and flow of tides. The painting is a meditation on the quiet power of water, a reflection on its ceaseless movement.

As summer continues to unfold, I wanted to share a few things that have been fueling my creative spirit.

BOOKS
Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: The Way of Being speaks to creativity as a living, breathing practice. Over the past 8 months, I've found myself returning to its pages often, recommending it to anyone who seeks a deeper connection to their creative self. An accidental coffee spill became an invitation to create—turning a mishap into an artful moment, I painted with the coffee, allowing the stain to become part of the journey.

In a different yet equally intriguing way, Toni Tipton-Martin’s Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs & Juice offers a fascinating journey through history with recipes that narrate their own stories. I’m taking my time exploring the book, finding new discoveries in each recipe.

FOOD & DRINK
Summer brings the sweetest surprises. I recently discovered the Black Diamond watermelon, with its deep red flesh that tastes like the essence of summer itself.

Last weekend, I mixed up a Peach Mint Julep from the Juke Joints cookbook. The addition of ginger simple syrup was a delightful surprise, making it the perfect complement to a warm evening, shared with friends on the screened-in porch.

PODCASTS
The Ezra Klein Show recently featured an insightful interview with Tim Walz on August 2, just before his selection as Kamala Harris’s VP running mate. It’s a thought-provoking conversation, worth the listen.

MUSIC
Blues artist Michael van Merwyk has been on repeat for me this summer. His track “Blue River Rising” resonates with a soulful depth that mirrors the blues of the season.

I’m heading out for a 10-day solo art retreat near Lake Michigan, ready to see what the quiet will reveal. Here’s to a season of inspiration and serenity for you as well.