![16 x 24 / oil on canvas / 2008](https://chrisstott.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/049_stott.jpg)
It’s only the beginning of September and I’m already looking forward to next summer. Perhaps I’ve been stuck in the studio for too many consecutive days. It’s my favorite place to be, but you have to stick your head outdoors every now and then. The past few active months have temporarily erased that “hermit” feeling I’m prone to. Perhaps that’s an occupational hazard. I imagine writers experience the same thing. Just the quiet solitude of the work. The funny thing is as soon as there’s too much activity, noise, chaos, the quiet retreat of the studio is what I long for. I guess balance is the key. Right now I’m completely lopsided.