Wild Ozark™

~ Nature Artist in Kingston, Arkansas ~ Sharing my experience with Nature through art & writing about my life in the Ozarks

Category: Musings

This is an index of posts that fall into my “Musings” category. Usually it’s on a topic that has no other defined focus, but sometimes these are also my philosophical-type posts. Subscribe to Wild Ozark™ » Musings by Email

The kinds of things I notice

Saturday morning, after coffee, breakfast, and feeding the horses and chickens, we discussed the task list for the day. And here’s a story that shows the kinds of things I notice while going about an otherwise typical day out here … Read the rest “The kinds of things I notice”

14 September 2025
Old Witchgrass and Autumn in the Air

I know it’s going to get warm again soon, but for now I’m loving the sights and feel of autumn in the air. I bet you’re wondering what old witchgrass is, though.

This is a new plant discovery for me! … Read the rest “Old Witchgrass and Autumn in the Air”

6 September 2025
A Poem by Joanna Macy

Yesterday I learned that Joanna Macy died on July 19, 2025. I heard about it on For the World podcast (a podcast I highly recommend, by the way!) Here’s a link to it:

https://forthewild.world/listen/joanna-macy-on-the-world-as-lover-and-self-homage

2016 original post:

This is an … Read the rest “A Poem by Joanna Macy”

7 August 2025
Sepia Dreams, But First…the Cedar Problem

I’ve been struggling with the cedar trees in my painting. And there’s been a problem with colors in my trees in the middle ground. Most of my paint are variations on sepia.

That’s just because almost all of my … Read the rest “Sepia Dreams, But First…the Cedar Problem”

29 April 2025
Spring Wildflower Walkabout

Today I took a spring wildflower walkabout. Mostly, I wanted to see if the Showy Orchid was up yet. I thought maybe there’d be at least some leaves. There was nothing. I’d have to check daily to catch them at … Read the rest “Spring Wildflower Walkabout”

9 April 2025
Finding the Balance Between my Creative Life and Business Goals

When it comes to multi-tasking my life, work, and creativity demands, finding balance is my goal for 2025. When I wrote out my goals for 2024, there was a lot more on my list and I didn’t even touch … Read the rest “Finding the Balance Between my Creative Life and Business Goals”

31 December 2024
It feels like winter

Well, sooner or later ever year there comes a point where it feels like winter has arrived. This week here at Wild Ozark marked that point. It’s been 19*F some mornings, but this morning was 24*F and that is plenty … Read the rest “It feels like winter”

3 December 2024
Disorganized Space | Time for Studio Cleaning & Organizing

Today I’ve started working on a task that’s been on my to-do list for the whole year. It’s one I procrastinate for as long as I can, it seems. But it just can’t go on like it is any longer, … Read the rest “Disorganized Space | Time for Studio Cleaning & Organizing”

17 November 2024
The Creaking Wheel of Life

This post is being filed in my category for off-topic Musings. I’m sixty today, and the feels I’m feeling today are taking me by surprise. The wheel of life isn’t just creaking on this revolution – it’s nearly kicking and … Read the rest “The Creaking Wheel of Life”

15 November 2024
What Comes First? The subject, or the palette?

I think I work opposite of most artists when it comes to the way I do certain things. What comes first the subject, or the palette?

For most painters, I would imagine the subject is chosen and then whatever paints … Read the rest “What Comes First? The subject, or the palette?”

2 November 2024
Little Things can Make a Big Impact

It’s so easy to get caught up on the big things – the huge projects, major hurdles, or life in general. Sometimes it can get overwhelming. I think that noticing those small accomplishments, moments, and experiences that make up the … Read the rest “Little Things can Make a Big Impact”

24 October 2024
The Latest Issue of Wild Ozark Musings

I usually send a newsletter out once a month. Eventually, I’d like to make shorter ones and send them out twice monthly, but I never seem to find the time to do it, so it’s still only a monthly. Sometimes … Read the rest “The Latest Issue of Wild Ozark Musings”

19 October 2024
Northern Lights in the Ozarks

I’d always wanted to see the aurora borealis, and this year I’ve seen it twice. Northern Lights in the Ozarks are pretty rare to see.

How did this Happen?

These colors are the result of the electrons from the sun … Read the rest “Northern Lights in the Ozarks”

13 October 2024
The Things I See at Wild Ozark

The other day as I was driving to the office for work, I saw a beaver at the second bridge. I stopped to watch it and took some video. Then on the way home that day, I saw deer, mostly … Read the rest “The Things I See at Wild Ozark”

3 October 2024
Paintings from Earth Pigments

My path to becoming a painter was sort of traveled in reverse. I found the pigment first, but wasn’t sure how to make use of them. After some experimenting and research, I made a set of watercolor paints. And then … Read the rest “Paintings from Earth Pigments”

27 September 2024
Experiencing Nature and the Rule of 3

There’s a technique for dealing with anxiety that involves observation. It goes by many different names, but the one I know by is called the Rule of 3. I’ve found it to be excellent, not only for anxiety, but also … Read the rest “Experiencing Nature and the Rule of 3”

6 September 2024
How to Add Nature to Your Life

Research shows that having a connection to nature is beneficial to mental health, and those who spend time outdoors are likely also enjoying physical benefits. But, those who either live in cities, don’t like the usual ways people experience … Read the rest “How to Add Nature to Your Life”

25 August 2024
Random Nature Connection – Resistance to Change

This is an older post, from 2015 about resistance to change. With so much change in the air these days, it felt like a good time to repost an old post.

When I see the ice lifting tiny rocks and
… Read the rest “Random Nature Connection – Resistance to Change”

13 August 2024
What Constitutes Nature?

When you think of ‘nature’, you’re probably thinking of green spaces, trees, creeks, rivers, etc. But what else could that word encompass? This post is about questions pertaining to perspective and perception; about what constitutes nature.

Gloria is probably more
… Read the rest “What Constitutes Nature?”

10 August 2024
Seeing the Milky Way & Scorpio Constellations

After dark last night, we sat on our balcony and waited for our eyes to adjust. Seeing the Milky Way is always special, even here where we can see it often. The night was perfect for viewing – the moon … Read the rest “Seeing the Milky Way & Scorpio Constellations”

31 July 2024
Mindfulness | Hermit Diary

While the world was in Covid shutdowns, I’d begun making blog posts I called ‘Hermit Journals‘. While I’m glad we’re not still in lockdown, I miss making those entries. So I’m going to start them up again as … Read the rest “Mindfulness | Hermit Diary”

14 July 2024
Wearing Many Hats & Vacuuming the Cat

First of all, let me say that vacuuming the cat went way better than I expected it would. This post is a departure from my recent types of posts. This is me practicing getting a blog post written, about whatever … Read the rest “Wearing Many Hats & Vacuuming the Cat”

4 June 2024
What Makes the Art My Own?

I’ve been struggling with a decision about whether to purchase blue pigment or continue using the indigo. While I can source local indigo or grow my own, it isn’t a permanent pigment. Does it matter if I use outsourced pigments? … Read the rest “What Makes the Art My Own?”

31 May 2024
Busy Times at Wild Ozark

Spring ushers in busy times at Wild Ozark. I’ve got a host of things I’m working on, and Rob does too. Most of mine are real estate, art and garden related, and most of his are solar and homestead tasks.… Read the rest “Busy Times at Wild Ozark”

15 April 2024
Four of Wands

This is an example of the imagery that arises when I let my imagination guide my artwork. It’s one of the earlier paintings I did after finding out I could make paint from the rocks here, titled “Four of Wands”. … Read the rest “Four of Wands”

9 March 2024