While visiting a gallery in Cambria, CA recently, I saw a painting I really liked: it was a depiction of twelve marbles- much larger than life size...beautiful edges and a painterly quality... fresh and cheerful and modern. I have been imagining what a nice statement piece that would be in an office or home ever since.

My art collection is mostly the gifts of artist friends. I have a gorgeous plein air piece by Nathan Drushinin of the view from Mt. Erie in Anacortes- a misty view of land and water. I first saw the canvas tacked on the wall of his romantically Dickens-y studio. One of those pieces you feel. I told him how much I liked it and he gave it to me! Another artist friend, Brent Burkett gave me a lovely small painting done in oil and pencil of a windswept landscape in colors that look like spring.

The Montana Gallery has a great selection of studies by fabulous young artists that would be a great way to start an art collection. I like to go to their page and pick which painting I want most. I love Josh Clare's work...his clouds, his drawings... If I never own a Daniel Keys painting, at least I want to see one in person.

Art is a great way to set the mood of a room, to express who you are, or remind yourself of who you want to be. I've always wondered what difference it would make in a person's life having a truly marvelous painting they lived with day in and day out...would it set the tone for making other more beautiful choices? Could you live with an inspiring painting and still be hard-hearted? Probably. But I like to think that would be a subtle influence for good, quietly shaping the the thoughts and actions of the people who come in contact with it, elevating the moral culture. I like to think so.