By Elizabeth Ricketson: Ricketson, Elizabeth, "Looking Into the Future," (), acrylic on canvas There was something about an image my daughter shared with me this past August. A vacation photograph of my granddaughters. Nothing unusual about that, but this photo stood out to me. A portrait that tells a story has always drawn me in, but this image went beyond the obvious. It was captivating. The subject matter has my heart, no doubt about that, but it struck me in a more expansive way. My two...

By Elizabeth Ricketson: Ricketson, Elizabeth Some people keep a journal—I paint. My paintings are my journal. A canvas is my blank page. A brush the vehicle for expression emphasized by bold, exciting colors. I looked around my studio and browsed through my inventory as I prepared for an exhibit. Nearly every painting sparked a specific memory, a place in my life. A dancer in my daughter’s image. A pick-up truck abandoned in the woods of an old neighborhood belonging to a much-beloved farmer....

By Elizabeth Ricketson: My mother’s black dress. Classic in its sophistication. Basic in its purpose. Proper in its blackness. The blue-black immortal polyester fabric, 1960’s blend. Appropriate for the occasion. The many occasions. Carefully, I climb the back staircase to my studio while balancing a hot cup of coffee. The first cup. Relishing the daily ritual nearly as much as the first sip. Hickory floorboards greet me as I enter my studio. It’s 3 a.m. The world sleeps, but I cannot rest....