Saturday, December 29, 2012

A 2012 retrospective.....

     I spent the past 36 hours in my pajamas. lying in my bed,  watching marathon series on Netflix, and bad movies,  it was great.   I rarely ever do that,  but boy did I need it.
   Sleep, what a beautiful thing.
    I spent part of these past couple of days post Christmas thinking about things,  alone with my thoughts in my cozy apartment I plowed through old photos of the past year.  sometimes I need to do that to see all of the things that I did,  and see the good in some of the year,  because let me tell you,  this past year was HARD.    Probably one of the worst years I've ever had in my life.  I saw some of the darkest days,  soul crushing sadness, and pain I thought I'd never come out of, but did.  I have to look at those photos to remind myself that there were beautiful happy things in there too,  and to remember that.   
    I produced a ton of work and busted my tail to do it.  The shop went through so many changes this year.  I closed for a few months to re-organize, paint and re-open with friends sharing my space with me.  That didn't work out so well.  one of my friends got really sick and had to move out  and the other one had to get a real job.  Doing art for a living and supporting kids on an Artist paycheck is a tough road. But it's one I choose to accept,  and I work long days in order to do it.    I did many things this year from decorating cabins and making custom paintings for my friends resort up north,  to picking up a design client friend here in town and doing custom pillows and paintings for her home in addition to running my own shop by myself.
 I think some of my best works this year were born out of pushing myself to the limits.  I know that I also tapped into some of the darkest places in my mind and I'm lucky I have Art as a way of getting those feeling out,  I'm also lucky I had music.  Music saved me.  I listen to it all the time, preferring that over the silence.  So instead of dwelling on this past year, that I am happy to leave behind in favor of a new bright and shiny year full of promise....(longest sentence EVER!)  :) ........I'll leave you with a retrospective of what I produced this year.   Sometimes looking at old works inspires me,  maybe it will inspire you too.  who knows.
  I just put it out there for whomever is interested.   Thanks for taking a look,  and thanks for being here,  it means a lot to me truly.  I may not comment or reply, because sometimes I get paralyzed with those things,  weird I know,  but I do care about the fact that you took the time to come here and send me a note.  please know that.
XOXO

























































































  These last couple of photos are my greatest works of Art,  My children.  who continue to inspire, challenge and give me the greatest joys my heart can take.  
XO

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The work was done, orders packed and shipped, quiches and casseroles baked,   cocktails flowing, presents opened and the snow fell.  in a blink of an eye it was over......Christmas 2012 all wrapped up.

                         what a nice holiday season. 
Even in the blur of it all,  I was still able to enjoy and savor the season.  I hope you did too.     It was a lovely Christmas eve downtown with my family, watching the snow fall,  and opening tiny presents in my little apartment.

                                Just My mom,  Ian, Jackson, Fiona, the dogs and myself........
  Who says teens are too old for stuffed toys..   :)   I'm so happy he liked it....sweet boy of 
mine
it was nice and quiet down here....


                                                   with my little fake tree....
                                            and treasured ornaments,  both vintage and new.....
    just the dogs and me after everyone left.....I cooked into the wee hours for the Christmas day feast at Ian's house the following day.....my jeans were tight just looking at the food.  good grief.
I came home afterwards and took a long and much needed nap.  I woke up and decided to go to the movies by myself since Ian was taking the kids to his folks house.  I have never done that before,  so it was kind of exciting,  especially to go alone on Christmas day.   I saw the Silver lining playbook movie.  oh my word.   excellent!
It was definitely full of things to think about.
I came home had a glass of wine,  turned up some vintage Frank Sinatra, with dogs curled up by my side,  what a perfect ending to the Christmas day.


  So on that note,  I am off to drink my tea and think cozy thoughts about the coming year.
I have lots of ideas and can't wait to get them out......but for now I need more rejuvenating sleep.  I sure can use it.   I bet you can too. 
peace to all of you,  I hope you had a wonderful day,
goodnight.
XOXOXO