Happy Lunar New Year!
Today marks the Year of the Tiger – a symbol of bravery, wisdom and strength.
I'm wishing us all of the above as we march forward into the unknown ahead! I rarely draw animals, but I had fun recycling an old painting and imagining a playful world for my tiger friend to wander around.
revisiting a 2016 Carve Out Time for Art interview
I’m doing an instagram takeover over on Carve Out Time for Art’s handle @carveouttimeforart today. In the intro, Marissa Huber mentioned that she had interviewed me in 2016, which prompted me to revisit that, which was fun and encouraging. It made me even more aware of how little steps towards those big goals can really add up to something. I was just setting up a shop at the time and had aspirations of making patterns, designing wallpaper and creating public art. It is amazing how putting things out there does manifest those dreams and help them come true! I’ve since partnered with an amazing local company to create two beautiful wallpaper designs, and I’ve painted 6 murals!
We are often making progress towards our dreams even when it doesn’t feel like it. The mistakes and missteps count too, even if we are just learning what not to do. If you keep working away, eventually you will look back at those mountainous goals and realize that you might just have accomplished them.
This collection of images shows some current work in progress… I want to make a deck of cards, and that was one of the 2021 goals that got lost in the pandemic shuffle. So, baby steps, I'm kicking off the year tackling one suit at a time. (Again with the boundaries!) January is all about creating hearts. Hearts represent feelings and affection. They carry senses of understanding and compassion. The heart is synonymous with love and they are the suit of spring – who doesn't want to fill themself up with lovely feelings and dream about spring in the middle of winter in Buffalo?
In the spirit of manifesting big dreams, I will share three of mine for this year – I want to create and produce a deck of playing cards, paint another mural, and license more of my artwork/patterns. Tell me, what are your goals for this next year? Let's cheer each other on!
Artist PopUp @ Hyatt's
I’m going to be at our local and lovely art store Hyatt’s All Things Creative on January 22 from 12-4pm. I'm bringing some prints, original artwork and other goodies, and would be happy to give tips or show you some of my favorite art supplies. I think they have demos and kits available for kids that day as well. Stop by, it will be so fun!
1941 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14207
Link to the facebook event page for more information here.
2021 Recap
Tis the time of the year to reflect on the year we are leaving and plot the year ahead!
2021 was a year of learning for me. I took an intensive art business class, and painted three murals. I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave a virtual talk at our local chapter of Creative Mornings. I designed a book and t-shirt for Silas’s graduating elementary school class. I held a studio sale, held true to sending out monthly newsletters. I took on a few new clients, worked with a photographer and dear friend to document my studio practice. I took a pottery class just for fun. I started showing up to a weekly writing group and was so inspired that I adapted the format to start building that sort of community as it relates to showing up weekly to make art. I met new people, deepened friendships and spent time with loved ones. I cooked a lot. I applied for residencies and public art projects. I played in the dirt and together with Aaron we overhauled our tiny backyard. I created two pattern collections and overhauled my website. While it wasn’t my best year financially, I worked really hard and have created a much clearer vision for what I want to do in the years ahead.
I've cleaned the studio and have been dreaming about all the things I want to do in 2022. While I love the idea of embracing a word to guide the year, I've never been one to be able to narrow it down to just one. I think last year I had four or more. This year I'm focusing my energy with one guiding anchor – PLAY. Magical things come out of allowing ourselves to play and I’m excited to dive in.
PopUp @ Eat Off Art!
This Saturday, December 18 from 12-6PM I will be at the Eat Off Art Retail PopUp at 431 Ellicott Street.
I will have postcards, ornaments, new artwork, hand painted cards, prints and pieces from the archive... Eat Off Art has hats, fleathers, artwork and inspirational apparel…come visit and shop!
Icing on the cake, Fitz Books is right next door and the WNYBAC last minute panic sale is also happening from 12-4pm that day, just down the street – yay!
Hope to see you there! Please note that masks are required.
