It's hard to believe we've only been in Colorado Springs for a year, considering we have just moved ~ again! A good friend said you should live somewhere a while before you decorate, in order to get a feel for the space. We sort of did the same thing, neighborhood-wise, and discovered the most amazing new home just five miles up the road. Sometimes the stars align, but mostly I believe we are blessed (and I am thankful).

In our new neighborhood, we have deer, foxes, and, yesterday, a bear came to visit. It's like a zoo around here or something! Rest assured we're keeping the pugs on a short leash until we get a secure inner fence constructed. The neighbors on all three sides have already warmly welcomed us, loaning Carlos a leaf blower, clearing the snow from our sidewalks (on moving day aka the same day we had snowmageddon, but that's another story!), and sharing a story about the giant boulder in our back yard that rolled down the hill from the Mesa above in 1985, stopping just short of our house.

I've been painting up a storm (there's that word again...) in my new studio, and I'm convinced there is an aura of good energy that has wrapped itself around us in this home that was originally built by artists. We are nestled at the base of Sunset Mesa, a rocky park on the West side of town, with views of Pike's Peak reminding me each day of the ever changing beauty of Mother Nature. Snowflakes are coming down again this evening, and I can't think of anything more comforting than having a cup of hot chocolate and watching the clouds enfold the mountains in chilly mist, with my favorite holiday just weeks away.

I've been trying to take more deep breaths and stay centered these days, and hope you are hanging in there. Don't stop creating, don't stop painting, and never stop sharing the gifts you have been given with the world. It's the giving that will reward you with a sense of peace in these tumultuous times.

"I wanted to say a giant thank you to our teacher, Nancy Medina! These online classes were just wonderful. I'm so happy that I signed up. Each lesson was jammed with great instruction and each project was just beautiful. You have given us so many tools to take on our adventures with painting. I needed a little "renewal" to jump start my spirit. These were exactly what I needed, particularly during this "pandemic time". So very grateful for all you have done for many of us. Thanks a million!"

~ Carole Aubrey

"I highly recommend taking all of Nancy Medina's online courses. She is a wonderful teacher and artist. She holds nothing back and the videos are shot high quality. She has lots of extras where you can ask questions and the paintings are full of colour and beauty. The screen shows the setup and Nancy's painting. Her palette is on one screen, which is very helpful. A perfect companion to assist you in finding your own style. I've taken other online courses and these are the most professionally shot and organized."

~ Elizabeth Mitchell

"Well, I want to recommend Nancy's workshops to my friends, but I am afraid I will have to warn them it may change their lives! Going to France and watching Nancy paint was one of the best experiences of my life. The conversations I had with everyone prompted me to do some serious soul searching. While we were at the Abbey, I got a text asking me if I would be interested in a job. It would be working for a small county and would be a salary cut. Normally, I would have said no, but I realized on this trip that I wanted to paint more and my present job was too emotionally draining. So I accepted the job and this morning I felt energized enough to paint before work. You have really changed my life for the better!"

~ Cindy Zuniga ~ France 2019 Alumni

When I quit my corporate job as the director of a national magazine to become a full time artist and art teacher, I never dreamed how much things would change. One morning I had an epiphany: Life is too short not to follow your bliss.

In the past year, I've worked with Disney and painted on national TV! Every day I wake up and my heart surges with happiness. Yes I am an artist. Yes, this is what I do for a living. Yes, I am a lucky girl. Thank you to each of you who have walked with me on this path. Whatever your tomorrow brings, may it be filled with color!