Up and Into the Present

Its been a while. Sorry I've flaked out on you. I hate it when I do this (I always do this), because how can I sum up activities for the past five months? 

Art:

The artwork has been a little slower coming these past months. I think I bit off a little more than I could chew this summer when I had my portrait special. I was incredibly humbled to have had so many of you interested in my work. I had no idea how popular it would be. But wow, that created a lot of work for me! 

I was committed to getting these drawings out to you, and at the same time, daunted by how many orders I'd racked in. This summer project took me a lot longer than I'd anticipated, and by the end of it, I'd realized I had no energy left over to make my own personal work. 

Commission work is very important to me, and I take it seriously. However, in order to create quality work for the individuals who commission me, it is vital that I also have time to feed my soul with art I make just for me. This was something completely impossible to do with the amount of work I'd chosen to take on.

Since then, I finished one more commissioned piece and took a break from making work. I've been a bit burned out. It's caused me to reexamine how I take on commission work. Here's what I'm committed to doing going forward.

1. Communication: I must have more consistent communication with my clients to make sure we're on the same page every step of the way. This way, there are no surprises for either party.
2. Pacing: I will make sure I limit my commission work to a manageable number.

In this way, I think I'll better be able to make work I'm satisfied with. 

Outside of the commission world. I've recently had a First Friday show at New Day Craft. It was a huge encouragement for me to have friends and family come out in support. I even sold a piece on the opening night! Here's to hoping I sell more before the show ends at the end of the month. 

If you'd like to stop by to see my work, make sure to support this wonderful local business by grabbing a tasty mead or cider before leaving. You won't regret it! They have these delicious new spritzers that taste like the fountain of youth (or so I'm told). 

Life:

I've had at least one major change to my life in the past few months. I would love nothing more than to tell you all about it, but out of respect for the privacy to another individual involved I'm going to keep my lips zipped for now. Just know, I'm happy. :)

 Over New Years Eve, I was able to visit one of my best friends, Amanda and so many other friends in Bradford Ontario. I brought in 2019 with a bit of a cold, but was still able to have a wonderful time with my all of my Canadian friends over delicious craft beers and fresh poutine. 

My being able to enjoy myself, despite coughing incessantly is mostly thanks to Buckley's, an amazing cough medicine that tastes like liquified pine needles, melted-down cough drops, and lighter fluid. I drank a whole bottle like a drunken sailor because it works pretty damn well. In fact, I bought an extra bottle to have at home because stupid America doesn't sell it. We're too busy trying to build an idiotic wall. 

In 2019:

I'm always shocked by how much happens in a year. January last year, I was a crumpled mess. I felt lost and frustrated but hoped the year ahead would bring a renewed joy. Well it did. In addition to all I've already mentioned, 2018 was the year I took responsibility for my mental health. To be completely transparent with you, I started speaking to a therapist, and have begun taking  an anti-depressant. 

I mention this despite being a bit self-conscience about it, because I think it is important for you to know that it has been such an incredible thing in my life and if you think it could help you at all, I would encourage you to look into it. I feel more like myself than I have in years. I feel more in touch with the Angela I was as a girl. It is a major relief. 

​So in 2019, my goals are to carry on taking care of myself mentally, physically, emotionally, and artistically. I want to create more art, and strengthen the artistic voice that's been hibernating the past few months. ​

Here goes nothing!

Xo,

Angela