Often my paintings combine adult objects with children's toys. My intent is to remind my adult (old) self to play and have fun. I love the color, the simple and symmetrical composition, and how the imperfections of the marbles play with the light.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, "The maturity of man: to have reacquired the seriousness he had as a child at play." Thanks, Peggy, for bringing this to my attention! I didn't know. 

I try to remember to play a little bit every day. I hope my art inspires others to do the same. 

I'll write more in the future about the value that play offers individuals, organizations, and society. It's amazing what engaging in play and having a little fun can do, no matter that your age or circumstance. 

What is play? Well, researches don't really know. It is well researched, yet we don't know the origin. Dr. Stuart Brown, the Executive Director of The National Institute for Play, gives a great TED talk: www.ted.com/playlists/383/the_importance_of_play . Play is much more than practice for being an adult. There are incredible benefits we hadn't realized in the past.

What play have you engaged in recently? Anything goes....

​Play. Play every day!

These are mostly cats eye marbles, with a few transparents (can you find them?) included.The martini glass is part of a very nice set of four Lenox glasses I bought at a garage sale for $5 a couple of months ago. I love their shape and clarity. 

Recently, I watched a video of a litter of seven-week-old puppies playing together. They were having a great time. Play is an interesting phenomena. Mostly, it is fun, and it makes us smile. I wonder what purpose it serves, and how long we have been playing. In this painting, I combined childhood marbles with a very adult item as a reminder to me to play more. That is largely the theme of most of my art these days. And, I AM having fun creating it!