2019 In Review...

Looking back...it's no small change!

2019 In Short Review

Looking for a photo on my Mac this morning, and being amazed at how many photos I have from this year, it offered me a few moments of reflection on the year that just happened.  Like some artists...I stay busy and in the "getting things done mode" and not as much time at looking back on where I've been, or figuring out what's up next.  I'm probably not going to change that...it's who I am...so why fight it?  It is good to know how you travel through life though,  and occasionally take a look back to where you've been and what you've accomplished that helps get a focus and a list of dreams and desires you'd like to invite in and experience in the year ahead.  I have to say, looking back through photos on the computer is a great visual record of what just happened in 2019.  Here are a few things I wanted to note to help me move forward into this next year.

Bright & Whimsical

My art at the beginning of this "soon to be last year" was very bright and fun...

with lots of stuff going on!  

Subtle & Sophisticated

I'm working towards toning it down, and not so much "stuff" added into each piece...

along with a more neutralized, sophisticated color palette.  I'm still working on this and excited to continue growing with my art in the coming year.

The Learning Experience

I'm lucky to take classes from and be in the company of so many  wonderful artists.  

Especially classes from Art On 30th teachers...

owner/mentor Kate Ashton & Ellen Dieter pictured below to mention two...

...or learning online from Nicholas Wilton of Art2Life. 

Abstracts below inspired by his teachings.

Mentor Artists

I want to mention the wonderful artist in the mentor program at Art On 30th!

I learn new things from this group every week, whether its about painting and art

or getting out there showing and selling your art, so lucky to be part of this.  

I highly recommend finding a community that supports and encourages

you along your artistic path.

Collaboration

The opportunity was also there to work with two artists on collaboration pieces this year...

this was encouraging, expanding and just plain fun...so glad to have had this opportunity

to work with these two amazing artists.

Ann Golumbuk & Denise Cerro

Denise Cerro & Yahel Yan

Art Walk

It sometimes takes nerve to give art shows a try and put your art out there for everyone to see, but I did it in 2019 with two different Art Walks...

Liberty Station and Carlsbad.  

Art Walk is a highly regarded art fair venue in San Diego...they were both successful and great experiences for me...

especially the one I did together with four of my art buddies in Carlsbad.

We already have Art Walk in downtown Little Italy planned for April 25 & 26, 2020.

Teaching...

has played a major role in 2019...with more to come in 2020 I'm happy to say.  I love to teach art and get very excited when people show up to be creative, learn and share more about art and the process.  From beginners to seasoned painters...

it truly is ALL GOOD! 

Juried Shows + Awards

I do love what I get to do in this life for work and feel so fortunate for that...

to have my work recognized by getting into a show and then winning an award... 

Icing on the cake! 

New Studio

It was pretty exciting to get a studio on the second floor and become one of the residence artist at Art On 30th.  It gives me the opportunity to be part of the community there, show my art and be able to mingle with artist and art collectors during shows.  I'm looking forward to spending more time painting there in the new Year.

So there you have it...

a small bit of what went on in this artists life last year.  I'm glad I was looking around in my photos and started to take note of all that went down in 2019.  It helps give me perspective on what I want to accomplish in the NEW YEAR and make a plan to enter on purpose into 2020.

I highly recommend taking a stroll down memory lane via your photos.

See where you've been as a measure to where you want to head in the year(s) to come.

Get excited, get inspired and keep creating!