It is winter in Eureka Springs and not much going on or so it seems. However there is much activity in the town's art studios. Although cold and gray days can be depressing making many want to hibernate, they seem to increase an artist's productivity. With Spring and the tourist season just around the corner, some of us are beading, some are forming clay on a wheel, and some of us are painting.

As I paint, my mind will tune into a theme and sometimes stick to that theme for hours on end. I do not know if the themed-mind-trip is obsessive thinking or more akin to a meditative mantra-like journey. Whatever it might be it cannot be shook off, just like those pesky songs that stick in one's head (It's A Small World After All...). Talking with other artists, I know this occurrence is widespread.

During my last painting session it was a song, «In My Life» by the Beatles, setting my thought pattern for the day. It made me think of lovers and friends I still can recall. My friend Gaye Adegbalola kept coming to mind.

Gaye is a member of the blues group Saffire-the Uppity Blues Women. I consider her to be one of my best girl friends and although we do not see each other often we are always close at heart.

Gaye is an artist of a different stripe, a wordsmith who's writings end up as song lyrics. Ironic since as a child she was denied access to the Fredericksburg, VA, public library because of the color of her skin. The denied access to the written word perhaps made her only more determined and helped form the direction and power of her artful use of the pen.

Gaye's art is important. It makes needed statements and provokes thoughts. It has changed many a person for the better. Me included. Some of her songs are light and funny and merely entertaining, but many songs contain strong messages. All throughout her career she has stayed focused and has created art with a purpose.

And while I continued to paint that day I questioned whether or not my art was in anyway important. I am sure many artists ask of themselves the same question, wondering are we doing enough with our creativity? Are we working with focus as Gaye has done, to make the world better?

I rationalize and hope that my work at least may bring beauty to what often seems to be a world of gray and cold not unlike these waning days of February.

I leave you with these YouTube gifts from Gaye, filmed by her life partner Suzanne (www.sumoe.com), another of my bestest girlfriends. Enjoy.

• Queer Blues
• Deja Vu Blues

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