well, i had no intention of staying away from my blog for all of last week. but just before the new year i caught a bit of a cold and it along with bringing in 2012, has really been just what i needed to sit back and reflect on the whole of last year.
2011 was HUGE. i don't think i've ever learned so much about myself and just what i want in my life. when i started this blog and got my creative business going in January 2010, i had no idea just what would be possible, and i am so happy to have followed my heart and passion.
in 2011, i know i worked a lot. it's been hard not to because i adore what i do and am delighted to see it all bloom! especially when i am lucky enough to hear from all of you that you're finding it all inspiring too!
but now that i'm still nursing this cold with so much fresh carrot juice, green smoothies, my favorite red thai curry and homemade teas of ginger, garlic and thyme (sounds bad, but it has seriously helped)...i know that i need to practice more balance.
looking back at 2010 is amazing! and i am so proud of 2011...
featured in the january issue of somerset studio
started selling my artwork at hatch art house in madison
co-taught the flourish e-course with illustrator, stephainie fizer coleman
featured in artful blogging magazine!
my first big gallery opening in madison at absolutely art
vacationed in newport beach, ca and meeting artists paulette of summerland cottage studio and julie nutting
headed to an artful journey, took a class from jess reno, and roadtripped the california coast with beth and louise
launched my how to paint an owl e-course
got to see all of the GORGEOUS and AMAZING owls created during my how to paint an owl e-course!
went to yorkshire england for the do what you love retreat and assisting class with flora bowley
invited to teach my how to paint an owl workshop at artfest 2012 (coming right up!)
hosted an incredible art and music event with brian at the evp coffeehouse
featured in somerset studio gallery magazine!
had my first downtown art show at the ARTspace gallery in madison
visited st paul minnesota for the creative connection event and pitched to licensing and textile industry experts
had an art show and opening at bloom bake shop
met oprah and ekhart tolle in chicago at a live taping of life class
invited to contribute artwork to the my owl barn calendar
launched my first-ever collection of wearable art lockets
created my first-ever calendar (for 2012)
had my she stands out painting stolen from the ARTspace gallery in madison (i do still wonder where it is)
released a new line of greeting cards
invited to teach with tam and lots of amazing artists for LIFE BOOK 2012!
released products on society6
began selling my prints, lockets and cards at lovely stockists in the UK!
wrote my second art saves feature for crescendoh.com
took the blogging your way e-course with holly becker of decor8 + updated my blog!
scheduled tuesdays and thursdays as my official painting days each week!
spent a creative weekend in chicago with fabulous bloggers from the blogging your way e-course
scheduled bi-monthly field trips for myself + took a trip to the international crane foundation
artist of the month at hatch art house and had an amazing opening!
featured on Glamour UK
launched my how to paint a girl e-course (beginning january 20, 2012!)
and of course all of the painting!!!
kind of AMAZING!
yet even with everything that has been so incredible in 2011, the thing that i have most learned is to take time for myself, brian, family and friends and to really enjoy it all. that was my intention for 2011... to enjoy more in my every day.
but while this last year has been all about moving forward and getting so excited about accomplishing everything i am passionate about, at the end of the year i realized that with hard work and so much wishful thinking, everything will always fall into place.
right now, i feel completely abundant. there's nothing more i need, but to sit back more often and enjoy it all in 2012.
