My dear friend got this tattoo for her 75th birthday.

The photo above sums up how I feel about 2018 so far.

Joyful and Grateful

Grateful for life, creating, family, home, friends, and all the ordinary miracles of being alive. Joyful because I’m doing what brings me joy each day. I feel so blessed to be living this life.

One of the highlights of this year is a photo series I’m working on that I call Makers’ Hands. In it, I am photographing artists and makers at work creating. It’s been mesmerizing talking with different artists about what motivates them, where their ideas come from, and how they create. It’s also been a great way to do what I love—photography—while it’s cold and snowy outside.

It’s been a good year so far—filled with my Makers’ Hands project, creating a video containing my photographs and music composed and played by a longtime friend, one of my photographs being published in Shots magazine, time with family and friends, good books, and joy in being alive.

How about your 2018 so far? What makes you feel joyful and grateful?

May you walk in beauty.

This is me (with my temporary tattoo) in homage to my friend with the real tattoo

The view from our front door 2 days ago—beautiful—but I’d prefer my April showers in liquid form