goodbye 2013

Since I started this blog back 9 years ago, and even a few years before that when I was on LJ, I always ended the year with a year in review post. It's really interesting to look back and see where I've been, where I came from, where I wanted to go, and where I ended up. It's never a straight path. Lots of detours, road blocks, and change of plans. 2013 exemplifies all of that and then some.


works created in 2013

Because of the flood, living in a hotel, the move to the east coast, and then waiting for my studio to be built, I wasn't able to paint for 6 months. 6 months! No wonder why I felt like I was going to lose my mind at certain points. But life was so full with dealing with upheaval, change, transition, decision making and then creating a home and a new life for my family.

So looking back at this year I am pretty amazed with the fact that I somehow managed to create all those paintings and books above. If I didn't create this mosaic, as I do every year, I wouldn't think that this year was all that productive. I'm so visual, I need to see it to believe it.

Produced:
:: created 30 paintings (most of this was created pre-flood for my solo)
:: created 3 artist books
:: taught 2 workshops

Shows/Essays/Articles:
:: solo show at the Benedictine University
:: 3 group shows
:: featured artist in Courtney Cerruti's fabulous book Playing with Image Transfers

In less quantifiable terms:
:: Still proving to myself that "where there's a will, there's a way"
:: Still moving to painting larger paintings- just finished a 30x20 inch painting and also painted a 3x4 ft commission this fall
:: Pushing myself in terms of exploring more of my own abstract language- definitely feel more confident with this
:: Continuing to explore the surface- always!
:: Working and bringing in different materials that I am interested in
:: Really honing in on my vision and what I want to explore in my work
:: Learned that no matter the circumstance, I am a maker and creator. It's a daily thing, not necessarily with paints or whatnot. It's a manner of being.

This year will go down as a year I will never forget. It kicked my butt and wrung me out. Actually, to write this, I went back and read all my entries from this year and rereading brought back so much of the emotions. In terms of my artwork I had to turn down several big opportunities because of my circumstances, but in the end, it was for the best. But I learned so much and I am grateful for the lessons.


Everything In Its Place, 24x24 inches
my favorite painting of the year

Art is not living. It is a use of living. The artist has the ability to take that living and use it in a certain way, and produce art. -Audre Lorde



I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart. -Van Gogh

Wishing you a happy new year! We never know what the year may bring us, but it's what we do with it that counts. Thanks for reading my little corner of the cyber world and for your words of support and encouragement this year. And for those who have bought my work this year- thank you! I cannot ever express how grateful I am.

2014, I am ready for you.