Those who follow me on Instagram know that ever since putting down roots in Berkeley last summer, I've been busy taking art classes and participating in crowd-sourced art challenges--all in an effort to build up my creative portfolio. It feels amazing to be back in the studio after a long hiatus, dusting off the cobwebs, and it feels equally fantastic to be making new friends as I explore the Bay Area's thriving arts community.
original flower blockprint on translucent vellum with colored pencil
(blockprint handcarved during Jen Hewitt's workshop at Handcraft Studio School on 3.14.15)
At the same time, I'm realizing that I need to temper my enthusiasm with time and space to heal from recent major life changes: my mom's death in late 2013, being her caregiver for years before that, my husband's job change, our move across state lines, and settling in to a new home and a new school for the girls.
Trust me, striking a balance won't come easy for me. People who know me know that I can't sit still; I'm accustomed to multitasking at breakneck speed. But, that approach is no longer sensible nor sustainable. So, as I build my art career at 46, I promise to take better care of me and try not to fret too much when I stumble along the way.
Before I go, I would like to give thanks to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today: my amazing family, friends, and neighbors, and all the lovely people in my online world who've stood be me all these years. Thank you.