“Winter at Grant Elementary School” – Folk Art painting (2012)

Happy New Year! To say that 2019 had been a whirlwind year which also presented challenges in preserving my creative time would be an understatement! I was fortunate to have been part of the opening team of a wonderful offering this summer as an entertainment manager; and for that I am thankful. The greatest lesson learned: Professionally, I learned more about what I want and what I don’t want. Sounds ho-hum, but it is impactful for me, since it is helping me to redirect my energies in a direction which I know will serve my interests MUCH more effectively in the future.

I also turned 50 this past summer, which I will admit, was harder than I had initially thought it would be. It is so easy to set milestones based on age; and I learned that although ‘human’, it is not healthy! It affected me in ways that forced me to call a time out and redirect my thinking (several times). My youngest, Chris, graduated high school and went off to college, which left Dave and I with an empty nest. And, to top off an already challenging Summer, we lost our buddy Max, our miniature schnauzer who had been with us since puppy hood. This was a very difficult time for the whole family, and suffice it to say, I am worn out, burned out, and in need of some heavy inspiration!

This past month, I ended 2019 with a phone call from a former client who asked to retain my graphic design services for a business identity refresh he had been planning for 2020… GREAT! And then, about a week later, a folk-art painting which I had created in 2012 somehow ended up resurfacing on a local hometown Facebook page; and it generated some rekindled interest! I got some prints made of the painting, and have put it out there on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264584361524

I felt these were signs sent to me. I feel the Universe is telling me to get out of the corporate ambition lane, and pursue something more my own. I have to say, this feels really liberating to know that I am embarking on this journey for 2020 and beyond; and I hope that all of you who have dreamed of it will be doing the same! 🙂

-jg