Wow! Another year has come and gone and we’re all sitting here scratching our heads wondering where the time has gone.
For me, 2018 was a year of personal and professional growth as an artist. I painted SO. MANY. PAINTINGS. My arms were tired, my back ached, my chest hurt… literally I’ve never pushed myself so hard.
Looking back, I’ve realized that I’ve accomplished so many of the goals that I set at the beginning of the year! My sales this year completely blew me away and your support has continually amazed me! It truly is so so humbling.
I strive to be as transparent and honest with y’all as possible. So at the end of this year, when my last order was shipped, I sat with my husband and wept. Literally. I’ve told y’all before, I am a crier. I cried with joy over a year of so many blessings. I cried with thankfulness over a year with so many dreams that came true. I cried with sadness that another year is gone. I cried with exhaustion over a year of relentless work. I sat there in my living room and let me heart dive into the question of why am I doing all of this. Seriously… What is my why?? Lord knows it would be easier to have a normal job.
I had a wonderful conversation with a fellow artist and friend yesterday and she said something that stuck with me… “You’re never going to feel like you have enough time or money… so do the best you can with what you have and enjoy every last minute of it.”
This is going to be my mantra for 2019.
Anyone that is pursuing their artwork as a career, knows that we’re not in this for the money. To be completely honest, it’s not even about selling paintings.
It’s about a deep desire to create. A longing – a passion – that cannot be quenched or satisfied by anything other than pushing paint across a canvas until you arrive at a place where you feel, at least for a moment, that all of the world makes sense. The blank canvas that was once sitting in front of you has become a visual story that is ready to be shared with the world, so that others can step inside your head for a minute and understand you and your perspective a little better… an idealistic belief that creating something beautiful can make impact. That your work could make a difference in a dark world. That it could spread love and joy and light. This is why I create. And I can’t help but think that so many artists feel the same way.
So, moving forward into 2019, I’m going to consciously make an effort to slow down; which is hard for me because I’m such a mover. I always want to be moving forward and progressing… pushing on to what’s next. I like to keep my calendar full and stay busy.
However, I’ve realized that the years go by too quickly to always be pushing forward. I want to linger here for a while and smell all of the roses along the way in 2019.
So, 2018… thank you for a year of growth, lessons learned, and wonderful memories to be cherished. Here are some of my favorite moments from this past year. It’s been a year for the books but as my Papa always said, “The best is yet to come.” PTL!
Life Is Art 