My Birthday cake which will be consumed as soon as I eat lunch. Yay! I wish I had some bit of wisdom to share here on my twenty eighth birthday, but I don’t and I just tasted CJ’s vegetarian dog food. Which tasted very similar to a garlic wheat thin, at least it doesn’t smell bad like his old dog food.

I am off to celebrate!

I am feeling a lot like this photo. I think I have finally come back down from the high that was squam. I feel like the fog rolled into my head this morning and I lost all sense of clarity again. I want to see the other shore so bad, but I know that it’s just fine over here on this dock. That not seeing ahead can be a blessing. I have been really trying to be present, and really pay attention. I’ve been showing up in my studio everyday ready to work on stuff, even if that stuck feeling won’t go away. I’m not feeling the work at the moment, I think it is a combo of knowing I have to start painting for my upcoming group show this December but also not knowing what lies beyond that for me and my art. It is last thing I have planned for right now… even though I know more is coming I just have to be patient.

Found a cool new band a couple weeks ago, I really like them. Check them out if you get a chance. They are called Wild Sweet Orange and the album is We Have Cause to Be Uneasy.

Me and my friend Justine (the other artist) at our Opening Reception!

Saturday night started out a little nerve racking. I arrived to find two of my paintings had fallen within the frame. I didn’t secure them well enough. Of course I was not prepared, and had to scrape together a screwdriver some tape and what nots to get them back together. I did so just in the nick of time too, as two fo my best friends walked in the door. They are back together up on the wall and ready to be looked at. After that it was a rather exciting night, tons of family and friends showed up. Some other locals that we didn’t know but how cool that they came in to check it out. Drank wine, ate cheese, and had some fun. As per my usual self I didn’t take a single photo, but thanks to my friend Craig we have some memories of the night. Should have some more photos to show off soon!

I promise to get better at actually taking pictures and recording some big events in my life, or maybe I should just hire a photographer to follow me around constantly. Would be nice yet kinda creepy at times I suppose. I feel all full of excitement of the possibilities that lay ahead. If the universe is listening than I am guessing this past weekend is just the tip of iceberg. I expect the interesting things to be coming around the corner this year, and I think 2009 (i know talking about next year way early but just keep with me) is my year. Ever just have a gut feeling?? I do.

View from the dock near my cabin on Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

One of the most AHA moments I had while I was at SQUAM was when we had the chance to eat our box lunch anywhere we wanted. Though I wanted to connect with more people and hang out, I felt a pull to just go and sit by the water alone. I sat on the dock, with my feet in the water and the dock rocked slightly as the boats wake would create slight waves. I felt alive and ready to take on the world. I knew at that moment that there was a lot of shifting going on in my universe. I have yet to realize all these shifts, but the person who left for New Hampshire and the one that came back seem so different in spirit. And then right after that these few people showed up on the other dock, and were doing cannonballs and just taking delight in swimming in the lake. It was so much fun to see them giggling, laughing, screaming (cuz it was a little cold) like children playing. I promise next year I too will partake in the joy of jumping into the lake…CANNONBALL!

That one word sums up the five days I spent at Squam Art Workshops. I actually feel so energized and the ideas and creative juices are just flowing like crazy. I can not even sleep I am so excited to get back to work on projects, and try new things that I learned. It was an amazing five days, filled with just the most amazing people. Everyone there had such a positive creative energy flowing out of them. Will be writing more later, but really need to get down into my studio and crank out some work!

Will definitely be missing this guy while i’m gone. I really do hate leaving him, he doesn’t understand like people do. Finally I am all packed up, have a few very minor things to remember in the morning, but otherwise the suitcase is ready to go! And so am I. I am excited and can’t wait to get out there and meet everyone!

Will be back next week with many, many stories to share I am sure. Oh yes I will take pictures!

Wild Flowers or Weeds…Door County, WI

It has been a full weekend, and I can’t believe I leave for New Hampshire on Wednesday. I’m going to be attending the SQUAM art workshop. I’m a bit nervous about meeting some of the people that will be there. These are artists I have been admiring online for a long time now. It will prove to be an adventure to say the least.

Been feeling overwhelmed lately, with life in general. I’m standing where I am but yet want to be somewhere else at the same time. It is a bit complicated. I guess I just feel lost right now.

I want to jump up and down and squeal, I’m so excited that it is up! Also a little in disbelief that it is actually up, everything is framed and done. It took a few hours yesterday, but all the artwork is hung in the Salt Creek Wine bar for your viewing pleasures. So if you can’t make it on the September 20th go check it out anytime in the next two months! I have a few paintings that I will be adding before the opening reception but for the most part it is all there.

It is such a surreal thing when your art is up hanging in a public space. Knowing that people are looking at it, at commenting on it, and making conclusions about it. It was an interesting feeling when it was all up and we were looking around the walls at it. My friends Justine’s work is also hanging there, there was no way either of us could fill the wall space alone. Our artwork really works well together and I like the variety.  I am sooo happy pretty much all of my framing is done, the few straggler paintings are actually mainly going to be canvas unless something great comes out on paper.

Now I can take a deep breath and relax…