Painting, creating, and embracing the heat of summer

Around this time of year, art shows and festivals tend to come to a close for the summer for me. Here in Florida, outdoor events slow down as they are just starting to pick up everywhere else in the country. It's just too damn hot here.

two of my newest pieces - toucan and opossoms on repurposed fan blades

I will still likely be participating in monthly Art Walks and other pop up type events though, so stay tuned for any appearances in town that I will be sure to post about on Facebook and Instagram. My art is always available for sale in several shops and galleries around Florida, and all of these locations can be found listed on my website. To see more of what's happening in my art world, including new projects, original pieces for sale, and new art displays, please follow me on social media :)

my favorite piece - a peacock on five fan blade panels

The good news for me as the heat slows things down around here, is I finally hope to utilize my time to get my head above water on the loads of custom orders I've had accruing instead of having to use so much time to prep for events, and be able to create some new original works for some exciting art displays I have in the works. Other goals of mine include improving my online appearances (Etsy, website, etc.), continuing with animal-related fundraising efforts which have been totally kick-ass (seven of my Painting with a Pit painting parties have already been planned for this year so far-- and more in the works!), stocking up on new original works in local shops, likely leading more workshops and events over at 435 South Main, and possibly getting hired for another art gig which will be perfect timing as the monarch research I partake in right now is seasonal and will be ending in a month or so. I'm finally finding more peace and mindfulness in my life in realizing that at this point of my life, I'm just so happy "being" and doing whatever it is I am doing-- which is a little of everything. I have stopped chasing things like lost job opportunities, and searching for fulfillment in the wrong places and am mastering the pure joy of living in each and every moment. My husband and I are prioritizing travel this year and are looking forward to visiting new places and feeding our souls with some much needed time with nature, and reconnecting with the friends and family that mean the most to us. I used to be a blog-a-holic and was on top of posting tons of vegan recipes and random life updates, but time and life have been getting in the way --- in a good way. Hoping to catch up and post more soon as new things unravel in my life.

Stay tuned...