This is the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year. Ew. Somehow "sad, grey beige" seems appropriate.

My top podcasts this year. Thank you @karaswisher.bsky.social , @profgalloway.com , @jordanharbinger.bsky.social , @podsaveamerica.crooked.com , @coachbennett.bsky.social for keeping me informed, entertained, snd motivated!

Here’s a little time lapse video showing the progress of a painting.

The third one in the series "The Night Society" is done! It will have lights behind it like the other two, but to see them, you'll have to stop by the December artwalk at Fogue Studios & Gallery!

Pluribus: WHERE ARE THE ANIMALS??

The others just called him Maestro. Now and then he’d wander into the pub, order a glass of wine and a little snack, and play his violin. He never really chatted with anyone but was so soft and unassuming that no one minded much. 1/2

Happy Halloween! My little frog friend says “be whoever you want to!”

Just bird things. A little art, a few fun bird facts; a quiet little weekly newsletter about stuff I find interesting. sonyar.substack.com

So, I’m tired of algorithm-driven doomscrolling. I started a little email newsletter instead. It’s just nice stuff: art I’m working on, interesting and positive news, no politics or scary headlines EVER. This week: goats, bumpy fish, and a pear torte. sonyar.substack.com

Professor Aloysius Fennelroot lived among books and shadows, in the top story of the tallest tree in Blackthorn Forest. Around his neck hung the Key. No one knew what it opened, though many speculated. (The professor is acrylics on canvas, 10x10. I hope you like him.)

Portrait of an elderly Boston terrier; gift for his family. He's watercolor, 9 x 12 on Arches hot press. #watercolor

Senhor Benedito Capivara is a recent transplant from his tropical birthplace to the cooler countryside where he now lives with his new friend, Orville. He has taken quickly to the quiet life, and keeps his daily constitutional, rain or shine. Acrylics on a 12x12 wood panel. #art #capybara

LOOK at the size of this cat in my neighborhood. His name is Ollie and I adore him. He’s the shape and dimensions of a large watermelon.

Clara paused for a moment, looking up from her book; something had caught her eye. For just a moment, a new friend appeared, and then, just as suddenly, was gone. Acrylics on canvas, 11x14. This took way too long to finish, and I obsessed over too many little details. #acrylicpainting

Scenes from my Chaos Garden. I love this time of year! #seattlegarden

What a perfect day for it: my watercolor tribute to Animal Farm, “Napoleon’s Plan,” went home today with a young man who read the book with his grandfather, saw it at Fogue Gallery, and had to have it. I am so honored. 😌 #nokings #fourlegsgood #twolegsbad

“Before the Kiss” Acrylic on 6 x 12 wood panel. A gentle moment suspended in time…two lovers in a quiet moment just before connection, where hearts speak softly without words. #AcrylicPainting

The Ai Weiwei exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum is fantastic. Photos don’t do it justice.

A perfect morning for a run. And what a run! For me this is fast; not “young person in great shape” fast but something I can be proud of. And I am! Had a great time at the West Seattle 5k. #running #westseattle

The irises were good again this year; here are my top four.

The colors of these columbines are just so calming. #garden

Well crap.

Why do I run? At my age? • Because I love cheese. And chocolate. And ice cream. • Because it’s the one time I can get out of my head. • Because I only have to compete against me. • Because I want to stay strong as I age. Even if I look like a goofy old lady. • Because of the calm afterwards.

Everything’s blooming and it’s the best kind of distraction. I keep stepping outside “just to check on the garden” and end up standing there for ten minutes, staring at moss like it might tell me a secret. Softer air, brighter colors, and somehow everything smells good. Not a bad reset button.

He is literally making this face: 😬

Five years ago yesterday I snapped my achilles tendon, jumping rope barefoot (bad idea, it turns out). And now I run a 5k distance three times a week, every week. #running #anythingispossible #oldladyrunning

The amazing Heather Lake trail, just over an hour’s drive from Seattle, feels like entering a different world. #pnwhiking

“Help You Find Anything?” introduces Bertram. He’s a bookstore owner and researcher of all things esoteric. I don’t know why I have such a fascination with painting things on shelves but I love to, even when it means that paintings take a ridiculously long time to finish. Acrylics on canvas, 11x14”

I got to watch the bottling of Spruce Hill Winery’s 2024 Rosé of Cinsault. A very special wine to me because it bears (haha) my first wine label art commission! This stuff is delicious too; it’s light & fresh tasting & the color is gorgeous. You can get some from Spruce Hill, but not until May. 🍷🩷

After a year and a half of running I’ve finally managed a 10-minute mile! Broke my 1k and 5k records today as well. It’s a perfect day for a run; sunny but cool. Is there anything like #running on a spring day in Seattle? (When you’re #slowaf like me…)

Here they are, finished and together! Henrietta Harecroft and Theodore Mendel Fernwhisker, friends and partners in studying the natural world. They are a set, each on a 5x7 wood panel, and will be ready for you to view at Fogue Studios & Gallery in Seattle this Saturday for the Georgetown artwalk!

Henrietta Harecroft spends long hours peering into her brass microscope, cataloging the unseen mysteries of the natural world. She is a friend and partner of Theodore, the fellow in my previous post.

If you haven’t been to the Seattle Chinese Garden in West Seattle, what are you waiting for? It’s beautiful, quiet, free, and full of little visual treasures.

Meet Theodore Mendel Fernwhisker, distinguished botanist and well-traveled illustrator. He will be part of a two-painting set. 5x7 - acrylics on wood panel. Watch this space to see his partner soon! #art #science #hare

Ms Prickles seems to like her portrait! It’s always nice when the subject approves.

Don’t forget to go outside, don’t forget to look at the sky.

People: why does it take so long for you to finish a painting? Me:

Even in winter there were still some flowers for a valentines bouquet for my sweetie.

A pet portrait I completed this week, of Goose, Ms Prickles, and Leo. It's acrylics on canvas, 11x14". I loved painting them as a dashing trio, but I can't decide if they're ready for a night on the town, or up to no good. Maybe a little of both. ☺️ #art #petportraits #fancycats

I’m scared for this country and for the people I care about, the people in my community, my coworkers, and all the folks out there struggling.

Hellebores get #Seattle gardeners through the darkest season.

Well, it's the end of January , so I'll be taking my 2025 "Wild Tales" animal art calendar out of my Etsy shop soon. You can still get it through Monday, though, and if you do, you can use this code for 15% off: SAVE2025 (It's good for anything in my shop!) www.etsy.com/listing/1836...

Meet Johann Thistlebrook, a smart fellow in both mind and appearance. He knows more than he lets on but is always kind and friendly. Johann is acrylics on an 8x8x1" board. #art #seattleartist #maaaahhhh

I’m excited to report that this gent is in his new home! Sold: “Lord Reginald Cawthorne,” a portrait — acrylics on wood panel, 8 x 8”, gold accents. #art #corvid #crowart

A while back I was commissioned to paint this fluffy pup as Abe Lincoln (a unique request, but why not?). He was a pleasure to portray. The painting is 11x14, acrylics on canvas. #art #onlybeautifulthings #petportrait

It was 35° this morning and I DID NOT want to go for a run. But I put my shoes on and told myself I had to just go as far as I felt like and then I could stop. Ended up with two PRs to my surprise and delight!! In a couple of weeks I’ll be 59 and I’ve never felt this good in my life. #runningover50

The first witch hazels are blooming, just in time for this weekend’s frost. #seattlegarden

A painting I did last year after visiting Florida for the first time and being enchanted by the pelicans. Acrylics on canvas. #art

This variegated hellebore was looking great in a brief sunbreak - I’m a little worried about the freezing temperatures we’re looking at next week. Not for this guy; these are tough as nails, but for the all the other little buds and bulbs getting anxious to pop up.

You can see the coolest stuff if you look. Happy sunny Seattle Thursday! #seattlegarden