11/12/16...

Not sure what happened to last week's post?  Ha! I'm sure in my brain-fatigue I forgot to hit post or something equally as ridiculous.  Sorry about that my loyal followers.  I promise to make up for it this week.

I vowed that when I moved into this new place, that I would focus on positives. It is far too easy to get lost in the negatives in our life these days. Believe me, I get it. Between the roaches, the eff'ing neighbor who sits outside and smokes (which causes me to live in a closed environment), the lack of dedicated studio space....the chaos of the unknown after this week's election...  Yeah. I get it. But I'm determined to be positive about all things. 

I heard this past weekend about my artwork being approved (accepted?) for hanging in a local coffee shop. I am beyond thrilled. This is a first step in this post-school journey. I've started lists of to-do's. I have to run by the shop this weekend to check out the walls (now really....how many of you actually do that when you want a chai or a cup of joe?). I'm hoping that they will have counter space available because I have non-hanging pieces too - but if not, I have an idea for hanging my little mixed media doodles that I've been making like crazy in my down-time. The goal for this venture is two-fold: exposure and experience & sales!!!  I really want to get the art that is stored at my place into some happy homes.  PLUS...this is my future.  How can I not be thrilled and apprehensive and so very optimistic for good things to come from this?!

Annnnnnd......I'd like to put some money aside for future endeavors. 

Great segway here. Ready for a little story? There once was a girl who dreamed of studying art across a vast ocean. She dreamt hard about the places where art began. She loved all things to do with the history and culture of this faraway boot-shaped land. Could this ever happen?   Fast forward, oh some 30 years, and the girl is now a woman actively pursuing her dreams of art in a rather large way. One day, opportunity came knocking for that dream across the ocean. Only this time, she has professors who wanted to do whatever they could to make this happen for her. And that opportunity brought more opportunity, until it suddenly seemed that it was all meant to be....right in this very moment in time.  The moral of this story:  it's never too late to make your dreams come true. 

So...yes....  I am currently in process of applying for Arizona in Italy program through UA. It means a lot (more!) sacrifice and putting myself out there for scholarships and grant money (and pushing to get my art hung).  And a tremendous amount of positive thinking to get that artwork to sell.  When you dream big dreams, I cannot tell you how much it means when things start happening as you only dared hoped.  I keep having pinch me moments too - who honestly gets the opportunity to do-over parts of their life, and make it even bigger and better than you ever dreamed possible?  Seriously?  

Currently:  I've cashed in some coupons to have advertising postcards made for my art show.  I'm on a whirlwind to make affordable art pieces.  I'm checking my lists, and making bigger lists to make sure that everything is labeled correctly, stories are told thoroughly, and all opportunities captured to their utmost potential here.  I am determined to make this work.  This is what I've been working so hard for.  This is my future.  And it may be "part one" of this journey (ha! I've given you my readers a sneak peak to my slogan for this art show), but like the chapters of a book foreshadowing to tell a beautiful tale - that is my dream.  

My autumn painting was completed this week.  It now has to cure (think hard-core dry) for the next 4-6 months and then I get to varnish.  It will be a bloody miracle if I can allow it to cure that long!  Varnishing is like this wondrous trick where you wave a magic paintbrush and the vividness of the paint comes alive.  I have a few people interested in purchasing it when it's complete.  I remain hopeful for whatever journey this painting is supposed to be on.  It turned out to be a gorgeous piece.  One that I'm intensely proud of.  And when your professor said it gives him goosebumps to look at it - you know how special it is.  

So that's it for me!  I have a million thoughts jumbling in my head currently.  All excited and hopeful.  Positive outward, positive inward.  Do good this week everyone.  Remember that positive and loving thoughts and actions promote more positive and loving thoughts and actions.