2011
I have been enjoying the year-in-review posts by other bloggers this week. Here’s mine. :)
In January :: I created this illustration of my daughter and I (“Resolutions”). This piece was a part of my Sketchbook Project that I shipped off to Brooklyn later that month. Gosh, that seems like ages ago. Letting go of such a precious (to me) sketchbook was an experience I needed to survive! And I did. ::
In February :: I loved and received this necklace from Andy on Valentine’s Day. We don’t usually do gifts but did this time. I put it on, snapped this photo, and it was immediately snatched off my neck by my then-one-year-old while I was changing his diaper. Chain broken. I’ll fix it and a handful of other necklaces ripped from my neck by my baby-sons over the years. In 2012, I plan to write a post – or a series – about the lessons this mama learns from these everyday destructions. :) ::
In March :: I participated in our local art center’s “Come As You Art” fundraiser. I admit to being completely embarrassed by what I painted on these little canvases (liked my idea, hated my execution). They said “Come As You Art” and I guess I did… an exhibition of a terribly overbooked schedule over the course of a year or so. But letting go of my work was an important step for me, and hopefully the art center made at least little money. ::
In April :: Somewhere I stumbled upon Uppercase’s Work/Life book. Reading about the lives of these artists helped me re-imagine my own. I immediately snatched up Work/Life 2 and just received a gift subscription to Uppercase from my family for Christmas. This was definitely a beginning to something beautiful I am in the middle of right now and can’t quit explain (or am a bit scared to admit maybe?). ::
In May :: I was thankful beyond belief to work with the Youth Art Team to paint a public mural (my daughter pictured here). My trip to Germany was a close second, but the Youth Art Team mural project wins out. ::
In June :: I signed up for an online drawing workshop to help me get in the habit of drawing every day and to attempt to identify my style and direction. The class was in August, but the decision to sign up was the important moment. Drawing daily is still difficult for me to pull off (like exercising), but I’m improving. And I’m pretty jazzed about identifying my voice a bit more, so my work is on the road in ways it would not be without participating in the workshop. (Another close second here was chilling with my ladies for a few days in small town Albia, Iowa.) ::
In July :: I finally opened my Etsy shop! Yes I did. And one of my pieces was immediately chosen for someone’s treasury… that was so fun. ::
In August :: Oh wow. I took an entire day off. And I walked around downtown snapping pictures and drawing, drawing, drawing. (I had newfound confidence in drawing in public thanks to my new August drawing workshop friends!) The goodness of this day convinced me to work regular days like this into my schedule. Looking forward to more of these days in 2012! ::
In September :: With the help of many people, I got to take the Youth Art Team on a field trip to Des Moines. We had sooooooo much fun. See? “Take a picture that makes it look like a Youth Art Team member is flying over the streets of downtown.” Up, up, and away! ::
In October :: We didn’t know it at the time, but my husband fought in his last boxing match before retiring. He won. Against a big-big dude. We are his biggest fans. ::
In November :: I made new youth to adult size aviator hats for the new and very-awesome Plaid Peacock. I just love this new shop and the two women who run it. And I was pleased with how these hats turned out. It was scary to try out the bright colors, but they turned out to be my favorites. ::
In December :: I released my very first Limited Edition Sketchbook Calendar. Oh, I wish I could tell you how excited I am by how these turned out. All of the drawings came straight out of my sketchbook, and most of the sketches I included I drew during my drawing workshop. Three lovely ladies (Janet, Kelly, and Sue) from the workshop helped me make the calendar even better by critiquing early versions. AND I FINISHED IT. Late. But I finished. I did. Almost one third of them already sold (so happy!). You can find the rest in my shop and at Plaid Peacock. ::
2011 was a really great year. Hoping 2012 is just as full of life as 2011. More year-end and new year thoughts a-brewin’.
