2022 had been a wonderful, productive summer. I painted and printed, framed and sold artwork as I’ve never done before, had an open house on the Silver Thread Studio Tour, an exhibit in downtown Creede and had lots of visitors come to my home. And the wildflowers that I sowed too late for any hope of growing and for the first time at 8852′ bloomed with abandon!

I thought I was going to die on the vine. Peaceful contemplation, friends and art helped me survive.

Christine Mercer Kraft

Then, I had a huge loss; of my mother, of my husband’s health. Bittersweet experiences. There are no words for the loss of my mother. Grief lingers, shouts at me when I least expect it, I find peace, then it all repeats. The upside is, skillful surgeons have fixed up my husband’s heart and all is well with him and we continue living life together. Thanks to friends and family that got me though all of this.

I’m now facing Springtime reflecting on the upsides of 2022. Below are some the prints and paintings I produced and a few photos of my opening!