In the last year I've continued to teach and practice Zentangle both at my school and occasionally in the area. I haven't pursued it as heatedly as I have in the past, but this is going to change.
I once again spent the month of July in Manteo. After a year of collecting found objects and creating useful and lovely things I sold them at the market each Saturday. I made over twice as much this year as last! Progress and encouragment go hand in hand. The atmosphere of artful community that surrounds me when I'm there feeds my soul and spurs me on through out the year. I only wish I could find that same feeling here at home. Some new things I had this year were dog beds made from suitcases, tile necklaces, and mason jars with Beach Memories 2013 etched on the glass. Meghan was able to come down with me this year and we had a great time. It's a wonderful balance of beach and art...aahhhh.
Coming home and going back to work was tough but my discovery of the Gelli plate helped a lot. If you haven't heard of this new craze that is sweeping the mixed media nation you must check it out and you must get one! http://www.gelliarts.com/ I saw a video online, fell in love and bought one on the spot. I haven't stopped printing since.
I have also made a new artsy friend, Joan Mills, who owns a scrapbooking store in Hilton. I contacted her out of the blue to see if she would like me to do a Zentangle class and she said sure! Since then I've done demos with my Gelli plate and a class is in the works. She helped me to get a class set of 8 plates so I could start teaching people how to make prints and how to have fun making stuff with the prints. Did I mention I love my Gelli plate?
My fantastic friends at Dutrow let me do a class with them so I could try my teaching skills out, it went well and they really seemed to enjoy printing stuff. It allowed me to learn a few things that I needed to adjust.
I tried to create something every day. I worked in my art journal or made stand alone pieces on paper. I made a big canvas on the Boston Red Sox for my husband for his birthday. Similar to the notebook collages I do for friends but on a much bigger scale. It challenged me. He really liked it I think.Then as October rolled around I made the huge decision to hand make all the Christmas gifts for all the extended family members. Yikes! It took a lot of work but I will say I truly enjoyed the process. It's what I do...create. The most fun was watching everyone open the gifts. I love that part.
So here I am at the edge of the start of a new year with a resolution in my heart. I feel it's time to start moving my art more into the center of the focus of my life. I can't take a full on do or die kind of step because I will have two kiddos in college next year. So I gotta keep that full time gig going. But in the evenings and on weekends I will work at making money teaching art. I've made a list of how I plan to make it happen. I have goals written out, a list of ideas and a list of contacts. This blog needs a once over, but it will become an important part of the process as well, so you'll see some changes here over the next couple of months...and you'll see more regular posts.
I used to say the worst that could happen is they would turn me down or say no. But really the worst that could happen is that I don't even try.
So here's to 2014! The start of yet another art adventure!
Here are just a few pictures from my art filled 2013:
