Top Ten Holiday Stress Busters

1. Select foods purposefully. You can improve health and energy by planning food choices in advance. Rather than trying to drastically change your eating patterns or going on a restricted diet, try replacing the least nutritious food you normally eat with healthier choices. Being a visual artist I was thrilled to learn that fresh fruits and vegetables with the most intense natural colors—reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples-- also contain the most vitamins and nutrients. They are also great subjects for still life paintings. I am also gratified that recent studies find numerous health benefits from coffee, dark chocolate, and red wine ( in moderation). Nuts including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios contain protein and healthier fats. Whole grain cereals and breads are great sources of fiber and B vitamins. Salmon and tuna are rich in Omega-3 which can also be taken in fish oil capsules.

2. Restful sleep is restorative. If you find it difficult to get restful sleep, it is definitely worth a doctor’s visit and some detective work to discover why and to correct the problem. If your schedule or your boss allows, a twenty to thirty minute power nap in the afternoon will improve focus, concentration, and mood. Productivity will improve with your alertness.

3. Add activity to your daily life. An exercise program may sound intimidating and may fall by the wayside. Adding one active pursuit that you will enjoy in place of one sedentary habit can make a huge difference over time. Do you truly enjoy watching the evening news? Would you enjoy a brisk walk outdoors more? If you have arthritis or joint issues water aerobics is a low impact way to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Yoga, stability ball exercises, swimming, bicycling or horseback riding will each improve core strength while reducing anxiety or depression. Select any activity that fits your schedule, current fitness level, and budget and you will reap abundant benefits.

4. Nutritional supplements. You may find vitamins and supplements in endless variety and price ranges. My experience is that less expensive off-the-shelf vitamins are helpful. Currently, I take a one-a-day multiple vitamin, calcium + vitamin D supplement, vitamin C, and Omega-3 fish oil soft-gel capsule daily. I seldom get colds or flu since taking these supplements. I have been experimenting with rose hip tea which is said to build resistance to the flu as well as provide numerous vitamins.

5. Meet with your creator. Prayer has been an important daily part of my life for many years. One of my only attempts at multi-tasking is prayer walking each morning. I spend time in praise, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication during these walks. This practice results in centering my mind for the new day and getting me started on a positive note. I also communicate with God during the day and evening. Meditation would have the same benefits as well as listening to inspirational or praise music.

6. Build relationships. I confess to being an introvert; so I must make extra effort to achieve friendships. I think that although I am quiet and reserved, I am a faithful and loyal friend. Building a wide support network of family, friends, and acquaintances in a variety of settings is a key to managing anxiety and depression. Choose positive activities in which you have mutual interests such as church small groups, sports teams, hobby or professional clubs, continuing education classes or civic organizations. Set a goal to meet and converse with one new person each meeting.

7. Nature heals. Discover ways to spend time enjoying nature and the outdoors. Gardening is a productive and healing activity. I love to visit Denver Botanic Gardens to photograph the variety of flowers during various seasons. Colorado is a spectacular state for so many outdoor pursuits such as camping, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, spelunking, hang gliding… Oops, I am getting carried away!

8. Be kind to animals. Did you know that people who own pets have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol? Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is a great way to save an animal’s life and to improve your quality of life. I promise that a dog will be a faithful companion and a constant motivator on your daily walks. I find grooming and riding a horse to be both calming and exhilarating. Here is my little stress buster Mindy whom we adopted over ten years ago.

9. Learn a new skill. You are never too old to learn new tricks, as long as you are willing to practice regularly in order to retain what you are learning. I have taken workshops or classes in figure drawing, watercolor techniques, oil portraiture, ballroom dancing, and even horseback riding. No matter what your interest, there is likely to be a class or at least a DVD to teach you more. Vocal or instrumental music works wonders for relaxation and stress reduction. I find that listening to classical music while driving keeps me calm in traffic and in a more positive frame of mind.

10. Read actual books. What better way to escape from your worries or problems than immersing yourself in a novel or mystery? Surely I would like to learn and understand more about plenty of subjects. Lately, I find myself spending far too much screen time. I think I can become a more interesting person by exchanging TV and internet time for book reading time. How about you? Let me know how you beat stress in you daily life.

Florence Biennial Contemporary Art Exhibition 2009

I am very excited and honored to be representing Colorado, USA, in the Seventh edition of the Florence Biennial International Contemporary Art Exhibition in Florence, Italy this December 5th to 13th. The Biennial is organized under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic with the official endorsement of the Ministry of Culture, the Region of Tuscany, the Province and the City of Florence. In 2001 the United Nations recognized the Florence Biennial as an official partner in their program “Dialogue Among Civilizations.” The Florence Biennial is the most comprehensive exhibition of Contemporary artists. Artists are chosen by the International Scientific Committee and by the Internal Committee. The philosophy of the Biennial is not to limit the artistic expressions of the artists in terms of style or techniques.

Over 800 artists from 74 countries around the world will be exhibiting 2500 artworks with many of the artists attending the event. Each artist will have nine feet of wall space in which to display three paintings or corresponding floor space for sculpture or three-dimensional work. My three paintings from my Santa Fe architecture series are shown above. The Festival kicks off with a fanfare extravaganza including trumpeters in medieval costume and a renaissance parade into the fortress. During the days of the fair, guided visits in museums and excursions outside of Florence are available for the artists. Panel discussions and networking opportunities are a highlight of the event. A dinner concert and awards presentation will close the Festival. My plan is to keep a small sketchbook for pen and ink and watercolor sketches along with photographs from which to create studio paintings after my return.

The exhibition takes place in the prestigious galleries of Fortezza da Basso, located in the heart of the city of Florence. Fortezza de Basso was designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane with the help of Pier Francesco da Viterbo and is built on the idea of a medieval city. The monumental structure, with a pentagonal layout, is a splendid example of Renaissance architecture characterized by imposing towers, narrow tunnels and hidden passages. It was built in just one year, between 1533 and 1534 on behalf of the Medici family.



Florence, Italy became famous as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence was once the capital city of Italy and is now the capital of the province of Florence and the region of Tuscany. During the years 1300 to 1600, some of the greatest painters, sculptors and writers in history lived and worked in Florence. Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico Giotto, and Michelangelo produced magnificent paintings and sculptures in Florence. Dante was one of the great writers who lived in Florence. The architect Filippo Brunelleschi and the political analyst Niccolo Machiavelli were born in Florence, and the astronomer Galileo worked there. Florence was the center of one of the greatest periods of cultural achievement in history for a period of 300 years. The wealthy Medici family controlled Florence from the early 1400’s until the 1700’s. Lorenzo the Magnificent ruled from 1469 to 1492 and led Florence to achieve its greatest splendor. During this time literature, opera, and theater thrived in Florence and were imitated throughout Europe.

Outstanding art museums and galleries are on the right bank or north side of the Arno River which divides Florence. The famous Uffizi Palace houses one of the world’s finest collections of paintings and statues. The Galleria dell’ Accademia displays Michelangelo’s David along with medieval and Renaissance sculpture. Ponte Vecchio, one of the six bridges over the Arno, was built in 1345 and is lined with goldsmith and jewelry shops. Fine handicrafts made by Florentines include leather goods, mosaics, and pottery. The left bank or south side or the Arno is home to Pitti Palace and the surrounding Boboli Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy.