 Hanging out in my storage closet recording Loom videos...and nightly art.
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...it's been a long time coming but the once postponed Muse event moved to a virtual format and finally happened!! Yay! Press Release   Some behind the scenes of me recording my interview in Jupiter in the 'before time'...at the time these pics were taken none of us had any idea that the pandemic would come and upend out world...and push this event back...and finally to a virtual format.  The award recipients were asked to record a short acceptance video and to be creative. I saw this as an excuse to wear an evening gown to school of course!  Special thanks to the CPE music teacher, my friend- Amber! She was my very capable and creative camera woman. And that 'runway'? That is actually student art that I had prepped to hang and decided to add it in my video last minute.  ...in PBC over Christmas. We took Aunt Nancy out for a fancy dinner and were driving by the Kravis Center. My husband took some pics of me out front so I could have my 'Kravis moment' after all!
 Yup, recording MORE videos for my students...and MORE sewing. Yes, I did do the Konmari method- TWICE. Yes, I did get rid of over half of my art supplies and all kinds of stuff (SO MANY CLOTHES!!) before we moved to NC. Yes, I had to go through everything AGAIN and declutter. It started innocently enough, I was putting away my laundry and I pulled out a bin to put away pajamas. It was already full and I had to smush the new clothes down on top to get them in the bin...and that triggered a semi nervous breakdown and then before I knew it I had gone through all the bins, three closets and then I was all sweaty standing in front of my studio/virtual classroom space looking at the clutter in disdain. So I just went full 'hurricane Jenny' mode (that is what my husband calls it)...and by late Sunday night I had reclaimed my space and my sanity.  (Top Left) Virtual Classroom area where I record my lessons...I organized ALL of the supplies underneath on both sides (Top Right) ...threw out some old magazines, straightened up my masks...still can't believe that is a 'thing'... (Bottom Left) I was so happy when I made this desk and created this little space- but I NEVER use it and then THAT stresses me out. So I decided that this will be my 'Morning Pages' and National Board Renewal dedicated space. (Bottom Right) More art supplies...this took me a little while but every single pencil, paintbrush, adhesive, etc is in its' place- and that brings me joy.  Close up of my 'new' spot...and of my beading, I get up at least half an hour earlier each day to work on my Morning Pages here...THIS is why I don't bead much, I lose myself and just keep beading, and beading, and beading... Nope, not here. Hanging out working on my remote lessons and sewing. BUT...at least I am stayin' safe!  Kinda doing a self-imposed second lock down...aside from going to work just hangin' at home doing...well, THIS. 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.  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!  |
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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