Time flies

It's hard to believe over a month has passed since my last posting.....and this after swearing I'd be more diligent in keeping up with my blog postings!  With one large commission behind me, and another exciting one that I'm about 75% completed with, I've been busy getting 3 new shows hung and my fused glass ornaments designed and fired for five local galleries.  

Below are 5 new paintings that I created for the shows - two of them are hanging at my solo show in 1075 Gallery in West Sacramento, and 3 are in my own new studio in Midtown, Sacramento.  The other show that I hung is going on at Synapse Winery in Placerville -- a wonderful and inviting boutique winery on Main Street.

"Searching for Something"
40" x 30" acrylic on canvas

"Day's End"
36" x 24" acrylic on canvas

"Time to Grow"
Acrylic on 36" x 24" canvas

"Waiting for the Fall"
Acrylics on unstretched canvas - 72" x 54"

"Dream"
Acrylics on 48" x 36" canvas

These are just a few of the works I completed for the new shows - I actually painted 11.  I didn't have time to photograph all of them but after posting these, I noticed some common themes and colors that I really hadn't paid much attention to before:  (1)  The color palettes are very similar;  (2)  They're all larger works; and (3) They are a far cry from my normally bright and vibrant colors.  

As an abstract expressive artist, I generally paint what I'm feeling......and when I stop and look at these newest works, I have to ask myself "what is going on inside of me?"  The overflowing bowl in the first painting; the bird inside the house in the second one; the ghost-like dress on a hanger scratched into the third; the title of the fourth; and the word "DREAM" stenciled onto the last one makes me wonder what changes are ahead for me?  I don't feel depressed, sad or lonely, but I've been finding myself doing more meditation, yoga and sketching and actually feel excited about some projects I've got coming up.  

11-1-12 marked my first year of being on my own after leaving the corporate world to pursue my art, and as I was happily painting away, I was reflecting on what this past year had brought me.  There was the interview by MORE Magazine; my recent interview with ArtsyShark Blog; some of my images were licensed by All My Walls; the closing of Bell'Arte Studios in June and the Grand Opening of my new studio at The ArtHouse in October; plus the Honorable Mention in the international Abstract Artist competition were just a few achievements I managed to have in my first year on my own.

There are more landmark events and accomplishments that happened this past year, but overall I'm filled with so much gratitude and appreciation -- and a tremendous amount of thankfulness.  The Universe supported my decision to escape my comfort zone and gently guided me along the way as I gingerly stepped into a new world that I've longed to be part of my entire life.  

While I'm not in the Fortune 500 or the Louvre just yet, I've managed to survive and thrive and am finally living my dream.  So the latest neutral colored, somewhat somber paintings were not created with feeling of sadness -- they're actually created with tears of joy and gratitude.  I had to let go of my safety net to move ahead, but I'm here to tell you the journey has been nothing short of amazing and I can't wait to see what's in store for me this next year!