I had so much fun at Kalamazoo’s Art Hop on April 2nd, 2021! The first in-person event in over a year! I cannot believe it. I felt the Arts Council of Kalamazoo did a wonderful job, safely introducing us back to the world! I want to thank them for their kindness, and for thinking of me to be included in the show. It feels good to be back!
So, really I am at day 70! I just haven’t had time to sit and type them up and upload photographs. I have been so busy completing my first collection of jewelry. And here it is! Please take a look, and let me know what you think.
My first portrait of my son. I have been so scared to go there, because especially when they are your own, they are so precious and perfect. I didn’t want to ruin that. Today’s #marchmeetthemaker is supposed to be about me, but I am not really in the mood to show my face today! What is hard about these challenges is finding ways to be on, when you are off! So, I thought I would show this instead! It was painted with my handmade watercolors. I am going to offer custom portraits through my website, soon. Sign up for my newsletter to be notified when they are available!
Today was just a something day. But at least I painted this luna moth.
We are buried under snow right now. Well, not literally. But it is snowy, and cold, and miserable. While painting this, I thought of glistening snow surrounding a crisp fallen leaf. I tried to find peace it. It made me look out the window and reflect on nature. I thought about how my children look at the world with fresh and wondrous amazement. My use of glitter is meant to imply this innocent way of looking at the world.
I mustn’t forget that the world is glorious.
So, yesterday I sat down and wrote in my journal. After freely writing about my day without a goal in mind, I realized it was a bit too personal to post online. It was just a hard day. Writing was therapeutic, but it wasn’t informative. But then, the dillema! What do I do on those days?! Everyone should be allowed one now and again! So, I decided those will be the “something” days of #my100daysofwritingsomething.
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.
Today I went to the Ann Arbor, Matthaei Botanical Gardens to pick up artwork that was in a show there. I took the time to visit the gardens to find some inspiration and take reference photographs.
I bought some Gwen Frostic prints of insects in the gift shop. I will share in my stories tomorrow, as I know my fellow bug enthusiasts will enjoy.
Now, I am just painting moons in my studio.
So, here we go. This is daunting, because writing is not my forte. You might have guessed, I am more into communicating visually than verbally. But, if I only learned one thing from last years #the100dayproject, it would be, if you want to get better at something, do it for 100 days.
This is more of a personal goal. There isn’t a project planned at the end or anything. I just want to get better at writing. Specifically, writing about my process, and work, and life. Something every artist should do, because it is important to know what goes on behind the paint. This is also one of my biggest fears, because I have serious issues, and anxiety about sharing about myself! I am always the quietest one in the room, and this is absolutely terrifying for me. I have decided to face my fear, anyway! Day 1 of, #my100daysofwritingsomething
For years I have painted in a monochromatic style, or with a limited palette. In the spirit of #the100dayproject, an Instagram challenge that encourages a creative project for 100 days, I am focusing my attention on color. For this special project, I am keeping each painting I make, and will display them as a collection at the end of 100 days. Follow my journey on Instagram!!
I have received a lot of inquiries about these paintings, though, so I want to make them available to you! That is why I am offering you a limited time opportunity to purchase a painting like the ones from my series. Your painting will have all of the characteristics of the paintings listed, but each one will be handmade specifically for you. You will receive the painting ready to frame in a 5''x7'' mat. I also offer custom framing options.