It's Back to School Time!

I love the quote from You've Got Mail where Tom Hanks is telling Meg Ryan what he loves about the fall in New York: "It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." There is something so inspiring about this season, signaling the start of a new school year! And for me as a teacher it is always exciting walking into a roomful of strangers who I know will soon become friends...and better artists! I love me some sharpened pencils!

But I'm feeling extra nostalgic this year, as it's the first year I'm not sending any kids back to school. Instead, Jeremiah will be serving mission for our church in Long Beach, California. Josh is entering a new chapter of his life on the East Coast, moving to Brooklyn, New York. And Jordan and Austin are moving into the in-laws' basement to save money after their wild summer in San Francisco.

Capturing the messy combination of back-to-school excitement and bittersweet nostalgia, here is the old Washington School House (now a boutique luxury hotel) in Park City, built in 1889, back in its old mining town days. I started this painting a couple of years ago and only just recently finished it for the show at the Coffee Pod: 426 W 1230 N, Provo. Check it out there while you can!

Question: Where is Back to School season finding you this year?