A New Year!

Happy New Year!  I have returned from vacation renewed and inspired with new ideas and lots of plans.  When I was younger I did the resolution thing.  Now I treat the New Year sort of like changing the sheets, it’s a fresh start and feels good.

I can’t ever remember having a “life change” courtesy of January 1st.  The most recent REAL life change resulted from a reality check photograph.  That photo gave me the determination to walk three miles everyday.  Four years later I am 40 pounds lighter.  WHEW!

So what am I excited about? This year I want to market Chatty Patty Greeting Cards, and make more Christian themed art including brand new Desk Dollies.  So I will load up my WhimziVille Etsy Shop with inspiring new Scripture themed items.

Today I investigated three greeting card companies that accept submissions: Leaning Tree Cards, Calypso Cards, and Artists to Watch.  I have wanted to create greeting cards all my life!  It would be amazing to be a part of a real greeting card company…..fingers crossed.

I have filled my WhimziVille Etsy shop with new Christian themed greeting card designs that were inspired by my Mom.  I printed out a stack of them to surprise her for Christmas and was thrilled she loved them.

Sunrose Gallery is a local shop that sells my art, I plan to make them some new high end stained glass chandelier lamps plus new upcycled shrines and collages.  I can hardly wait for garage sales so I can find cool stuff to repurpose!!!

I am most excited about my new Desk Dollies idea!  They are really fun to make and they are stretching my drawing skills because I eventually want all their faces to be my original creations.  I found a really nice book at Michael’s :  Jane Davenport’s “Beautiful Faces” mixed media portrait workshop.

OMG!  It took hours and hours and lots of wasted watercolor paper to finally be able to produce this face.  When she was finished I imagined her saying ” I know life is hard, just hang on because someday you are going to wear a crown.”

Looking back to 2017, I can see that I grew up a little more!  I discovered when I count my blessings and thank the Lord for each one from the bottom of my heart something wonderful happens.  Freshness in my spirit literally bubbles up.

Sometimes I find a scripture that captures my attention and I can’t quit reading it because I want it to “sink in.” This past fall,  I have been captivated by 2 Peter 1.  Wowzers!  I can already feel attitudes and opinions changing plus I have new spiritual pictures that are helping me take what I read and use it to grow.

2018 I want to make art that demonstrates 2 Peter 1.  Believe me, studying scripture changes you.  I have a philosophy to “practice what I post”  so 2018 will be a year of discovery and surprises held together with hot glue and decorated with a generous helping of glitter!