Let’s try this again, blog! It’s been too long. Happy New Year! Last year required extra eye of the tiger strength with family illness, big loss, grief and a myriad of travel & unexpected challenges but…as Anne Lamott says “Life is lifey”. And here we are–2024 strong. I learned a lot from last year and a lot that I’m still processing. But what stands out is both practical and obvious. Life (in all ages and stages) is beautiful, precious, messy, infuriating, fabulous, it is truly the best of times, it is the worst of times. But mostly it’s the best of times.
I didn’t paint as much last year but what I did paint felt meaningful and focused. I was drawn to exotic animals, chinoisserie patterns, florals, vintage classics and had a renewed love of plein air painting. (I’ll leave that for another post..it’s sort of like “enjoying” a marathon…maybe the feeling after is the high?)
On a work/creative update: I went deeper into collaborations with customers and their shops, elizabethW and Watson Kennedy. I took two painting classes, one I attended in person and got a lot out of, (recommend!!!!) one I attended online and missed every class. I worked in oils more, invested in my work space and reconfigured some furniture (because I paint in the living room!!! Yup, it’s true.) I packed a lot of orders and neglected digital work. I learned Canva and love it. I tried a selection of instagram apps and hated it. I spent more time looking at art in person, museums and galleries. I renewed my love of vintage books and natural history. I ate more cakes than I painted. I did a lot of short distance sprinting last year. Not actual sprinting…the creative burst “get through this week” variety. And that’s ok. Some years are like that.
All of that to say, thanks for subscribing and following along (even with the pauses) and I hope you’re still painting, baking, sewing, knitting, running and cooking too. Insert soundtrack for Rocky and find your eye of the tiger.
“Eye of the Tiger” 16×20″