Delayed by one-Inauguration-Day, new Wednesday edition greetings! It's Sara, serving as the messenger for Jen today because she's SO. BUSY. More on that later but things always seem hectic around here, don't they?

Fortunately, the thing that keeps us all going is that we're surrounded by art that we love and most of what we do (aside from a few nitty-gritty tasks, of course) is in the name of getting that art out to all of you. It's a good thing and makes our over-full days more satisfying than draining, in the most unlikely ways, even when we're out of the gallery/studio/office and we'd like to give our eyes and brains a break. But again, that's the thing, once you get into looking at and experiencing art, there's no way out, it's with you for the better, for the rest of your days whether you're looking at a print, a painting, a photograph, an installation, or... a scarf...

Yes, even when you're looking at a scarf, or any other seemingly or previously mundane detail of your life. I think you'll see what I'm saying when you read Jen's stream of consciousness thoughts about today's edition, Where is that Middle Way? by Emily Noelle Lambert. We IMed before she dashed out the door:

12:11 PM
Jen: So, Emily's proof is so beautiful! It's been sitting around the office and it's definitely got a strong better-in-person presence. Which I love - I love the surprise of that. I love having something catch my eye in the chaos of all the beautiful art books and invites and scraps of paper on my desk, only to discover that it's ours - which means that thousands of other people are going to be able to discover that beauty online and then hundreds of people get to live with it.

12:13 PM
Jen: And so, since I've seen the proof, and since the way it grabbed my attention was so distinct, it's been on my mind a lot.

12:14 PM
Jen: The other day, I was standing in the mirror, bundling myself to go out in the cold with a woolly stripey scarf that I have always loved. And as I knotted it, it reminded me of Emily's painting. It was so exciting; it's a different facet of what I described in my email about Gregory's photo.

12:16 PM
Jen: I felt as if she had taught me to see. I've always loved that scarf, and its colors, but taking its stripey-ness and twisting it into a knot, coupled with this imprint on my mind of the colors and forms of the painting, gave it a whole new dimension. It was literally thrilling, and it made me feel more alive, which sounds kind of cornball, but I really mean it. And I really think it matters. We're all so busy and stressed; and it's winter and it's cold and we're run down. And I just feel like a healthy diet of art gives us a vocabulary to use, allowing us to have surprises like this, to look more closely.

12:22 PM
Jen: Does it make sense?
Sara: Yes. It makes sense. For sure.

Doesn't it? It makes sense. It's a bit to consider so I'll bid my farewell and let Jen fill you all in on what's been keeping her SO. BUSY. tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow! She'll be here to release a new photography edition that will have you reconsidering the way you see. For sure.