2013 has had its good and bad. Ann and I both lost parents in the past year and it weighs heavily as Christmas approaches. We are mindful of those losses since they won't be here to celebrate with us this year. The fathers we lost have been here for us for almost every other Christmas of our lives. That's an imponderable thing. More than 60 years of comfort, love and support! They were our stalwart providers, advisors and defenders and they are gone except for memory.

But the year also showered us with blessings. Ann's tour season ended on a high note with an offer to work for the same company again next year. My painting sales took off in the second half of the year and that is a double blessing. I get to do work I love and have the pleasure of adding to the happiness of others! I was fortunate to attend several amazing art events: The Plein Air Convention in April and the International Association of Pastel Societies convention in June. Both were opportunities to meet friends new and old and mingle with some of the best artists painting today. Events like these are catalysts poured into the crucible of an artist's soul and which meld with the stuff already there until something new emerges. I feel like this has been a year of much artistic growth and I thank my patrons and the artists I am inspired by.

Next year looks to be another good one. Please come see my room at the Western Masters Exhibition and Sale in Great Falls, Montana from March 19 to 22. I'll be in room 177 on the ground floor near the entrance from the west parking lot. The link to my profile is active and will be updated soon to include my bio and more images. I will exhibit a lot of new work not shown anywhere before: about 40 paintings representing subjects from across the U.S. I'm excited to see what you think.

Finally a word about the image we used on our card this year. Once again Ann chose the painting and we stepped into it for our portraits. The best part is we didn't need warm clothes and we didn't get our boots soggy.

We hope to see all of you sometime and some of you many times in 2014. We'll keep the light on. If you get into our neck of the woods please stop by and visit. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

-Ann and Gary Huber