Sentimental Animals.

And here begins my venture into stationary! There's not much more to say about it, other than I'm finding this all to be really enjoyable...which means there will be many more editions and perhaps an effort to sell locally.

This time last year...

So very much has progressed since last year. However, one thing that always remains constant is the randomness...I came across a group of photos from January 2010. Some of them were taken before/at Chelsea's birthday party. I made a squirrel cake to celebrate the event, as only a squirrel cake would have been appropriate. I thought I would bring a photo out from hiding.

Latest plans are to make stationary! These plans will move forward as soon as I make it to the art store. However, this endeavor proves surprisingly difficult due to a number of unfortunate recent events and circumstances. Sooner than later though, I'll have something to show...and maybe sell...

Money is never the object. The object is the therapy. And sometimes, if one is lucky, the object makes someone else happy too. Sometimes, people buy things that make them happy. This is my latest Art Theory and Artist Statement. Deep.

Back with a bang.

I've always liked Chicago. Flying into and out of this city always makes me feel comfortable, like I can map my progress on a grid-patterned Earth. I like its order and I like its people. I think I could make the midwest my home for a while. We'll see what the northwest has to say about this. I've returned with a desire to get back into painting and drawing more traditionally. A few projects in line and plenty of drive to see them through. So here's to a New Year and the continuation of creation!

I love them.

One of my favorite parts of having time off: pets.

Another part: travel. I'm headed out to Colorado tomorrow to celebrate New Years in snow and mountains. I'm crossing my fingers for decent weather in Chicago as I wrap up some last gifts and pack up, and I'm counting down the hours until arrival at DEN.

Happy New Years everyone!

At home.

If I ever were to do an installation piece, it would be inspired by the tree across the street, behind the house one over to the right, as seen from my third story windows. And most importantly, my materials would be nothing more than light and air.

One day, I may dream in art again. But not right now. There are other dreams right now.

A tribute.

...Some of the products of time spent alone and of the giving spirit. They're silly and small, I know, but I feel great about getting so much done. Things like this are more meditative than anything else, and it's given me a lot of time to think and relax.

Lately, I've been having lots of "unconscious bubble-ups," as a dear friend once said, and they include certain people I have been fortunate enough to know and they've made an unmistakable and lasting impression on me. The majority of them were people who fleeted in and out of my life (chance encounters, high school acquaintances...) and for whatever reason...though I'm willing to bet it's the recent full lunar eclipse of a moon in Gemini...the things these people have had in common stand out to me and I have become all the more grateful for the opportunity to have known them once and always. They're spread throughout the country, and a few are overseas but they are all so distinctly inspiring and admirable to me, even though I may never have the pleasure of encountering some of them again. These were people who had such remarkable energy and personal solidarity that they now let out little sparkles in my memory. They are luminescent. They are timeless. They are unconditional. And during times of reflection and quiet, I see them, for an instant, in my mind, like beacons, for whatever reason, and I am happy. To these people, though I make the assumption that most will never get this thank you, I want to say that I am grateful to have met you and I truly hope that you are where you wish to be and that you are happy there because you deserve it. There are people through whom I have felt genuinely connected to the ground and through whom I have felt truly connected to dreams, and I wish them only the happiest of holidays and only the best in the year (and years) to come.

Thank you for being here too, for it is far too complex and far too simple to ever be easy. And we all help each other, though we may not even be aware.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

the latest...

Snow has happened. And so has daylight savings time. Which means...the light has changed! Lovely. And it also means the best holidays of the year are here! I have been a print-making machine in an effort to have lots to give and lots to do. Linoleum blocks, craft paper and frames are everywhere in the apartment and I am nowhere near done. But it's been a thoroughly enjoyable process. (I also threw in a few pictures of the shelves because the last few weeks have very much been about creating functional and home-oriented things). Decorative framed images count as functional. Yes, they do.