“Leap” as a word doesn’t get the love it should.  “Jump”, “leap’s” dynamic cousin, has gotten top billing for as long as I can recall.  “Jump” reached the top of the Billboard with Van Halen.  It has been splashed across screens, big and small, in titles like “21 Jump Street” and “White Men Can’t Jump.”  Speaking of jumping, why is it that athletes JUMP rather than leap to make a basket or catch the ball?  And if I want to purchase a one-piece-does-it-all addition to my wardrobe, it’s a “jumper”.  (We will leave romper for another day!)

“Jump” is a downer.  “Leap” is an upper.  Say the words aloud, you will hear what I mean.  Is that why “jump” is used more frequently and “leap” is shunned?  It’s always a little (or a lot) uncool to be TOO happy.  “Leap” sounds light and frivolous.

Well, I am choosing to leap into Spring!  I am leaping from the doldrums of winter.  I spent the winter months hibernating, taking solace in countless hours of You Tube, Patreon, and Skillshare.  Watching watercolor dry is a form of ASMR.

But the dark hours are shrinking, and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring.  Even February has added an extra day!  To celebrate, I will set up at Wildflower Cafe Art Market on Leap Day, February 29th from 5pm-8pm.   Stop by the cafe to see what local vendors have to offer.  The cafe offers a unique shopping experience with artists and artisans showcasing their wares on the cafe tables.  It’s a cozy experience!

As Spring approaches, I would like to invite you to leave  a comment on this post about your favorite experiment on this post.  What art do you hope to see me create this year?  And what is your favorite way to display art?  Do you like housewares or cards or prints …?   You get the idea.

I will keep it short today- maybe just a few pictures.  The winter months make me a little gloomy and tired, so I retreated to the realm of experimentation, education, and reflection.  I am curious to see how it all plays out this year.

Exploring my beachy wishes… watercolor and ink.

• Eve by Cat Bohannon-  My book club chose this one for our February gathering. It has been a FASCINATING look at the evolution of the human species from the FEMALE perspective!  At times challenging, this book has been a joy to read.  I have learned much about the paleontological evolution of the female body, but also about the pervasiveness about the male bias in all things science.