I hope everyone had happy holiday celebrations this past month with whatever traditions and beliefs you hold to your hearts. We have been pretty busy in my house creating new memories with a very excitable almost 3 year old who finally gets Christmas. I just turned 34 the day after Christmas too which was spent with my most favorite beings in the world, my husband, son and dog. I am excited to bring in this new year and am wondering what lies ahead for me and my family. One thing is for sure, and that is that this belly of mine is expanding at an alarming rate and a new little one will be joining my pack in less than 9 weeks. Lots of changes ahead...

1. rootedness, 2. woven_depths_of_the_earth, 3. all_things_seen_unseen, 4. we_are_all_connected, 5. where_memory_resides, 6. dream_totem, 7. transitions, 8. b3_4, 9. bk_sa_1_detail2, 10. the_seed_is_hope, 11. earth_sky_horizon, 12. beneath_the_prairie, 13. shewoke, 14. maybe home was always here, 15. bk_trees_4_detail, 16. learn_from_the_earth, 17. wings_of_the_wind, 18. heartland, 19. virtues_undiscovered, 20. bk_sa_4_wip, 21. lesson_plans, 22. patterns_and_cycles, 23. 133, 24. quiet_spirit_det, 25. origins_2_wThis is a
flickr mosaic I made of 25 paintings/art pieces that I made this past year. I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself as I only get 1 full day of serious studio work a week and what else I get is squeezed in at nap times or nighttime if I am able to. I wish I had more time, but am always grateful for what I do get and what I do with it. Sometimes I dream about what I could do if I was able to go back to working in my studio full time...but I wouldn't trade this time I have with my son. I only have this time with him once and I actually feel like he has opened the world up to me in so many different ways that in turn, informs my work.
Journaling about this art journey of mine has given me (among many other things) the ability to look back, celebrate my achievements, learn from my mistakes, make adjustments, and look forward to what's ahead. I have done this for years in my personal written journals, and I have shared my end of the year art reflections on this blog in
2006, one for
2007, did one in
2008, and now for 2009.
This reflection has actually lifted me in that I can see that I actually created, grew in my work, and remained a bit active. I have gotten down a couple times this year with that feeling of not being able to "keep up" or frustrated that I am not able to pursue all that I would like to. But seeing this list here, has helped me to see that even if I don't see it at times, I am doing the best I can and accomplishing a few things while I'm at it. I paint and create because I must. Finding the dedicated time and energy as well as balancing that with my family and pregnancy has been the challenge this year.
Learned
:: Took a handbuilding clay class to experiment with clay + encaustic. Figured out that as much as I would love to do this, I just do not have the time to invest on this path right now
:: Took 2 sewing classes to finally learn how to use my sewing machine and fell in love with sewing
:: Took an online workshop with
Susan Tuttle to learn more about Photoshop
Shows
:: Exhibited in 5 group shows- 3 in Chicago, 1 in Venice, CA, 1 in Melbourne, FL
:: Had work included in an Art Auction in Missouri
:: Had work hanging at Sacred Art gallery in Chicago since March, and have sold work there consistently every month
:: Commissioned to create an encaustic painting and the image was licensed out for
an album cover for NY musician James Shipp:: Had one of my journals chosen for the
Tyra Banks Show Luxe Living Giveaway with my journal and web site featured on her web site.
Produced:
:: Created 48 pieces, including mixed media panels for journals, and 1 encaustic sculpture
:: Sold 41 pieces (including mixed media journals)
:: Participating in a challenging collaboration with Jen Worden and Seth Apter
In less quantifiable terms:
:: Still proving to myself that "where there's a will, there's a way"
:: Moving to painting larger paintings
:: Really delving more into my personal marks and symbols
:: Feeling like my work is growing, changing and really trying to push myself
:: Still learning to accept that I have time and energy limitations
:: Still learning to accept that my art will always be there for me, even if I cannot focus on it fully at this moment.
++++++++++++++++++Just wanted to take this moment to thank everyone who comes to this little blog of mine with your advice, your support, and your friendship this past year. It means so much to me to be able to share my art/life journey with such wonderful people out there in the big, wide world. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and creative 2010!
I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart. ~ Van Gogh