All The Pieces of the Puzzle are Coming together.

It's hard to believe it's already June, the season where  our mouths are tasting bbq dinners and the kids are excited with anticipation of the promise of summer, lazy days of sleeping in and trips to the beach with friends.   I am drinking in the early mornings out on the deck, sipping on coffee and enjoying a quiet minute with my journal.  It's a good time of the year.  We have made it through half of the year but plenty of days left to achieve the goals you set out to do.  One of my goals this year was to attend 4 art shows instead of my normal 2.  So far, I've already attended 3 shows and have 2 or 3 more planned.   It feels good to be on track.  It feels good to check things off our list and see that  yes, we are on the right path and moving forward.  Maybe not as quickly as we wanted but we are still on our way.

I decided early this year that I was going to work on a new collection and I am well on my way to having over 25 pieces all ready in that collection with several pieces all ready sold thanks to recent shows and some of my shops I have work in.   I even taught a class using my special texture and paint blending techniques at Jerry's Artarama in March.   A special bonus project that stemmed from an idea to do something different and carry that idea through.   You never know when one thing may lead to the next....

Yes  of course, it may take a leap of faith to get there.  You see, I am preparing myself for a huge transition coming soon.  It's something I've been wanting to do for the last couple of years.  2011 was my goal to go solo as an artist....leaving the security of my day job behind.  I still haven't decided exactly when in 2011 that will be, but I am very much determined to follow through on my goal.  When I say it may require a Leap of Faith, I should have mentioned that when I leap, I can only do so with a plan. I'm definitely not the type that runs fast and furious to no where in particular without looking back or carrying an extra pair of sneakers with me in case of emergency.  Rather, I opt to make a plan and execute on the plan, then take off running and not look behind me.  Sometimes the plan takes awhile.  Not everything can happen the exact moment you think of an idea.  Sometimes, yes....but for me, this is truly a life changing decision that will either allow me to rise to all that I can be, or it may pull me down farther below then I've ever been before.  I'm confidant that it will be the former rather than the latter.

Part of that plan includes doing more shows, more teaching engagements,   new collections, more commission work,  creating a website,   adding new products and supplies, expanding my gallery presence, and just plain old working my tail off to make it happen.  It's scary though.  Especially when I've done very well at my day job and there's no good reason for me to leave except to follow my dreams at a time that they are really boiling over in me, wanting that opportunity to prove to myself that I can do it.  I will do it....

Dream the impossible. There are very few things in life that are impossible, it's up to you to make them happen though.  

It's funny how "it's taken me my whole life to realize that the worst of times were the very things that have lead me to all the best life has to offer".   A year ago when I shared with many my "Art Saves" on Crescendoh, I opened up and let everyone in to what truly catapulted me into the world of art.  It was a dark time in my life, very dark.  Mentally and physically I was exhausted.  Emotionally I was spent.  It was art that led  me out of that dark cauldron of mud and disgrace of my where my life had turned.  

And now I'm flying away....flying away because of those times have enlightened me to all the strength and endurance that probably were always inside of my all along.  It took me being knocked down though to be able to dust off my knees and find out where it is that I belonged and what I needed to do to get there.

It was as if God had to wake me up before my dreams flew away.  

I'm awake now and I'm ready to tackle this new journey head on and with gratitude for all those that have helped me, encouraged me, and supported me over the last few  years.

You were apart of my growth and experience, and for that I thank you. 

And now...a year later, I know the time is coming soon, how I'm going to do it all and be successful is a matter that I have yet to fully work out.  Not everything has a manual attached to it though...sometimes you have to find your way be just doing...and you'll find that there is no black and white,  the truth is somewhere in between.   

Change is in the air and it's coming soon. 

Please stop by Crescendoh the week of June 13th to read my part II of my Art Saves Story.. :)