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If you have visited my blog or know anything about it I hope that you know that I have created a piece of art every day for over nine years. 3, 292 days to be exact. It is not a gimic, it ain't a game- it's real. In January 2012 I found myself not feeling like I was making enough art, and I really didn't like that feeling because that is the whole reason I became an art teacher- because I love art and it brings me joy. I figured that a daily challenge might help me, so I found one. It was a major undertaking, that first year- but I did it. I just re-read an old blog post I wrote at the end of that first year and it makes me so happy; I was also looking through my blog archives and I found these two posts that I felt would be fun to revisit, one is just talking about making art everyday those first five years and the other is a post I wrote after my five-year retrospective show; Going into 2021, year ten for me of daily art...I wanted to start off combining all of my favorite things, so I am combining drawing, fashion and textiles in the works I create this month. Here is what I am thinking;  My girl Kianga has the BEST fabric. I purchased some from here a while back, and also had some from a workshop I took from her and I have been wanting to bead it ever since I saw it. And now, it's time.  I have gotten away from drawing my 'big eyed girls' and honestly...I missed them- and I missed drawing. So...here we are.  I am also still continuing with the fashion illustration inspiration- giving a nod to that in the creation of these little ladies in their sassy poses and gowns. Each dress is hand stitched and then glued to the paper.  I wanted to give myself an additional challenge this year so I also decided to try and do at least a stitch a day. Right now my plan is to work on this small piece I made- it's watered down acrylic on cross-stitch fabric. The piece is super small, so if I 'finish' it I have some more pieces I can paint and continue my stitches. Right now I have been doing much more than a 'stitch a day' but I know that may change, so I will keep that same goal. I have some ideas about how I will present these when I finish, but it depends on how many pieces this project will become.
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 Taking down the Christmas decorations is always bittersweet. On one hand, it makes it feel so uncluttered and CLEAN! (Yassss) On the other...I miss all the sparkle and shine. Apparently, Mackie agrees. After I took the tree down Macke let out the saddest meow and I knew he wasn't ready. So I put the palm tree in it's place, kept his special 'tree skirt/cat blanket' and just resolved that this is 'the new normal'. Maybe I will decorate the palm for Winter...?Valentine's day...? St. Patrick's day...? 2020...it truly was a year like no other. I for one am so over hearing that phrase, and 'in these unprecedented times', etc...but you know what? It is so true. Professionally I have been pushed beyond what I thought were my limits as an educator-figuring out how to go from ‘normal’ pre-Covid teaching with literally no notice...and making the switch to teaching elementary this year where I have taught remote, then hybrid and soon back at full capacity (and still remote, too...a little nervous about it, I want to do a good job for both groups) Artistically I have committed my entire year to creating fashion illustrations, something I love. This will be year ten for me of consecutive daily art making and I’m so excited. I am trying to look back at the pieces I have made these past nine years and really focus on work that reflects the things I love the most. Personally...so much change. My husband and I have moved back to our home state, still getting used to that change especially 'in these unprecedented times'...and I thank all the friends and family that have stuck with me, and thankful for the new folks that have come into my life too.  At Hilton Head for NYE, watching the last sunset of 2020 with my husband. The beach is my favorite place to social distance. And that’s it. Things aren’t going to magically get better just because the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. We are still gonna have to deal with 2020 because realistically...this isn't over. My hopes for 2021: ...that you stay safe. ...that you send and receive love. ...that you make time for your heART.  Looking forward to the new year, but taking the lessons of 2020 with me! ...oh, and here is the final series for 2020!   In case you were wondering what Epcot looks like during the pandemic...like this. And we even make sure to stay away from THESE people! If you have been to Epcot then you will recognize these areas, so you know how empty this is.  We still saw some Disney celebrities, just from a distance!  ...lookin' for fabric...  I did something a little different- I left this piece with instructions on the back. Maybe someone else can have fun 'finding fabric'.  We love all these themed trees!!! The Star Wars one was our favorite!  ...another piece left...this time on Palm Beach Island...  Got to see my brother. A little bit of distance, breakfast outside, masks when we were a little closer...still better than being 800 miles away from eachother! And despite it all we still showed up twinning!  Where is the farthest possible place we could go to social distance? Yup, Key West. Masks, hand sanitizer, staying away from the few folks that were there...worth it to have a stress free Christmas!  More hanging by ourselves...by the pool and random giant Christmas trees in Palm Beach County.  ...and we stayed an extra day- to make a trip to Wynwood. We drove by the main drag at it was WAY too busy so we parked and checked out the murals on the side streets...just us and the art!  I have had my eye on this community art display at the CAM for a while. Every time I drive by I keep saying I'm gonna stop. Well, I did- TWICE! I went by just before sunset and then not too long after to get some pics. Whatever you celebrate this season...CELBRATE!  Hangin' with our 'Covid bubble' fam...Morgan has the most beautiful white Christmas tree. She also hosted a Hanukkah craft night in honor of our friend Jacob, complete with singing, sharing about the meaning and crafts.  My first Hanukkah dinner...thanks Jacob and Audra! Oh, and I left some art in your tree!  ...and this is how I like to celebrate! I'm back at it! I love writing grants!! Click on the picture below to see what I have been up to (so far!) this year! I'm on a roll!   Couldn't decide on my 'fabric' so I looked around- and found it right on our mantle when I saw this piece by Palm Beach County artist Rolando Chang Barrero peeking out at me...and it's approved by Santa himself! Remember in November when we did that 'staycation' in downtown Wilmington? Yeah, we went with our 'bubble' of friends- it was so fun! (hopefully one day that won't make sense to anyone reading this, but those of us living through this Covid mess...we know what that is) Well, due to my weird sleeping schedule I would get up in the mornings (even after staying up super late) to walk by the river front. And one of those mornings I stopped in the Port City Java for a coffee...and I noticed there was an art display on the wall behind me.  "Hey, maybe I could show my work here" I asked about displaying work, got the manager's card...emailed her a few days later and well, it just so happened that the current work was due to come down so guess who gets to show work? Yup!  I decided that my coffee series from last spring would be perfect for this venue, so the cats and I got to work selecting work and prepping it for display. Luckily I already had frames on hand!  (Left) the wall before (Right) ..and after my work went up!  Another view of the wall.  Again...not your typical art show...no opening (remember art openings?!) But John and I went to see my work, got espressos and then went to dinner at a spot downtown...where we would social distance of course, we aint' trying to sit near anyone! I titled this post 'First art show in Wilmington!'...here's hoping that there will be another opportunity to share my work, despite this crazy pandemic! We'll see what happens in 2021! |
Author...just a gal trying to get this art out of my soul to share with the world on a DAILY basis...no big deal...check out my ramblings!-JLG 
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