I recently read a fictional character's take on the inclusion of death, of decay, in the work of Dutch still life painters. I hope viewers look at my work and realize I'm not obsessed with death, with morbidity, with sadness; but rather that I'm acknowledging the preciousness of being alive and of living fully. Every time I work in a bunny I am thankful for the opportunity to capture the moment and thoughts of sadness never crosses my mind.

Technically, this is "dead rabbit #5" but it appears I didn't number them as such in the spring so #17 it is.

Again, death isn't sad. Life is only truly appreciated and enjoyed when we grasp that it will one day end - no matter what we do. This inevitability reminds me to live fully.

This didn't photograph well... I woke up, looked outside and had to paint. The light was strange - that place between night and day that only the early risers ever see - and I had to capture it. I needed to wake up to this light today, needed to shake off the art funk I've been feeling and pick up a brush and make a mark.