Lost in the woods

Today we went for a walk somewhere new to us and got lost in the woods - so fun! I walked behind my husband Shawn, who was walking our dog Max on the leash. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, it was the sweetest sight! Max's ears flopping up and down as he trotted and kept pace with Shawn. We eventually found our way and it was great to just enjoy the journey. I feel so fortunate to live in Minneapolis where we have so many amazing parks and lakes right in the middle of the city.

A word about my art... lately I have been feeling a bit "lost in the woods" I guess. I have a need to make art most of the time right now, which isn't always the case. Recently, I have had this neutral feeling about it. I haven't really squealed about anything in a while. I am thinking that this should mean something about my art and my life around it. For now, I am going to just let go, not analyze and enjoy my journey.

Chitter Chatter

This is my biggest piece to date - 48X12"

I am haven't settled on the title yet, but it seems like the birds are having a lively conversation. As I type this I am in my backyard hearing the birds chirping and chattering away!

Where I am going...

By the end of the summer I decided to take some graphic design classes. I had thought about "trying on" graphic design for years, so I registered and found myself to be a student yet once again. I really found the classes to be intense, often thinking what the hell am I doing here? I remember wanting to be the perfect student and I was intimidated by the amazing talent around me. I realized that in most of my projects I was trying design pieces that were not me at all and what I thought was the trend or matched up with more of my fellow students. On my last few projects for that semester, I put more of myself and my own personal style into my work, which is collage of course! It felt almost effortless and my teachers were thrilled as well. So the semester ended and I started creating art and barely came out of my studio... it just poured out. I knew something has shifted in me because my art really seemed to be at a new level.

So I returned for the spring semester, but I was not the same student. Doing my art was my priority and I somehow fit school in and I did my projects around my artwork. By the end of the semester I felt myself gravitating towards web design, so I am "trying" that on this fall. It would be so great to know that this is the perfect career path for me and that I will continue on to be a web designer, but who knows? Maybe it is the perfect path regardless of where I land. I just keep listening to my wise friend Kari, who always says, "It doesn't make sense, thats why I do it."

Where I have been...

Today was such a nice quiet day for creation. The piece above is one of four new additions to my etsy store. I am always so grateful when I am home on Monday morning. I love all the sunlight shining through my windows and how my cat and dog nap in the light. A little over a year ago I left my 8-5 job to pursue creative pursuits and to live a more authentic life. I had been creating art for a few years and thought for sure once I left my job and had all of this newfound freedom that I would live to make art. My studio remained untouched for months and although this freaked me out, I had to let myself decompress, do nothing. I read this great book and tried to let the new paths of my life be revealed even though I was completely frightened and at times it actually felt harder than being at my full-time job. Next post I will continue my story.

Hello there...

After being an avid blog reader, I am finally creating my own. I am an artist residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota with my husband, dog and cat. Most of my work is collage on wood and I seem to have a love of birds right now. You can view more of my work here.

More to be revealed....