I’m grateful for 2017. And as I’ve rang in the new year in Texas and am waiting to ring in the PNW new year via text with my favorite human, I’ve taken some time to look back on 2017 and consider how I’ve grown and all I’m grateful for. Here are my 2017 highlights with my art:
> To begin with, I started this IG this past year as a means to give myself accountability with my creativity and to have a place to track my progress and not forget the pieces that keep adding up to increase my skills and confidence.
> This year was a year of trees and snails. All through springtime I got to know the trees in my neighborhood and was forever snapping reference snapshots for my drawings. I was enamored with their changing beauty from pre-spring into summer. I sketched trees: both realistic and highly stylized. However, few of those snippets ever saw the light of day because I met Parsley and detoured straight into snails.
> Meanwhile, I launched my first postcards out into the world with mine and Benjamin’s original photography. I also recommitted myself to my love of photography: shedding the insecurities that I’d let build up due to being married to a professional photographer. I recaptured the passion of my youth, dove headfirst into my own interests and style and got back into film photography with 3 new-to-me film cameras of varying sorts.
> I took Naomi Bulger’s Beautiful Letter e-course and was inspired to take long-desired steps with letter-writing: both in art and audience. I have an address just for pen-palling now so that I can expand my reach to others who need the gift of caring mail.
> I grew in skills and confidence in my illustrations. I applied all that I learned in the few classes I took in 2016 and kept practicing. Towards the end of this year I began a self-paced at-home course that is helping me even more with skills and confidence.
> And all the while, snails. So many snails. Benjamin and I dedicated ourselves to shared creation of art this year, and nowhere has that been more apparent than with snail art. He’s carved stamps from my drawings, and he’s done photo shoots for me to use the images as subjects for my drawings.
> I’ve used the stamps for making watercolored postcards and stationary sets. Both of which I’ve been sending out as my stationary of choice through this season.
This past year held so much richness, beauty, bravery, and learning. I hope for more of the same in 2018. I have big hopes for 2018 and look forward to seeing what unfolds. Here’s to the new year and the adventures that await us. May we all find daily blessings to be grateful for. 💛
