Wishing you a beautiful weekend and this is me SIGNING OFF for the first time in YEARS!!!
If you know me, then you know I have mixed feelings about social media. {maybe I’m not alone?}
A career that started when the internet began {at least the version we publicly started using, not the one Al Gore invented} and a business that has been dedicated to sharing my work, thoughts, person, online consistently for over a decade. I think I could use a little break, don’t you? And maybe you could use a break from me? While I’m not a compulsive poster and I’ve still never fully warmed to FB, it’s fair to say I haven’t taken a break longer than a few days in years, not even when I’ve gone on “vacation” which I haven’t taken a lot of those either.
To be honest I have no idea if I actually can take a solid break, which scares me just a little. I don’t know anymore what life feels like when I’m not posting or “liking” something somewhere on social media. I often complain that I just don’t have time for it all, which I don’t. {which is I’m making another change and hiring someone to help!} I also struggle with the fact that creating art and sharing the process as it’s happening just aren’t always in the same brain hemisphere. But like many of us, I’m adjusting to this new world that I helped to create, that will forever more change daily.
What I want to know with a week away {starting small} is A) can I truly stay away? I might have to sneak posts or stories or likes in there… B) Will I feel like I have more brain power, creative inspiration and energy and focus C) Will I miss seeing what you all are up to {yes probably} D) will it help me stop what feels like the never-ending cycle of comparison - where nothing ever feels enough anymore or E) will I finally feel like I can be fully, consistently engaged in my life F) Will I realize that I blame a lot on social media that really has to do with my own inner compass. Maybe? but I won’t know until I step away, for the first time ever.
The other truth is I’m thankful to be connected with you in this space, and there’s a lot I’d love to do and share on social media and even here again on this blog. I just haven’t found my way to doing it yet. again with the time…maybe the refresh will be just the thing I need to invite a new perspective and inspire what’s next.
2 years ago April 3rd, escrow closed and we officially became Los Angeles homeowners.
A day we will never forget, one that took a village - literally - combined with piecing together of every bit of our financial story to make it happen. (Lenders do not make it easy for the self-employed)
I’m posting this to celebrate, to mark a turning point and to remind you (and me) that life always has a way of working out. I hesitate to share how “hard" it was to get here, because I’m done perpetuating “the struggle". But sometimes the life and specific direction I’ve chosen has felt like an uphill battle. But that’s why I’m an artist and an entrepreneur - I don’t follow the herd, and I don’t share the same point of view as the masses. I’m the one who thinks outside of the box, asks questions and moves things forward sometimes to places even I wasn’t sure were possible. This isn’t easy and those of you who are also taking this path know what I’m talking about. I’ve learned and am relearning that it always comes down to how I choose to perceive my circumstances that makes all the difference in how “hard” life is going to sometimes feel.
Home ownership was not new to me and when I gave up my first home in L.A., the proceeds of the sale became the investment I needed to build Creative Thursday. To find my way back to home ownership again after selling that house to build this same business was a big accomplishment and a dream fulfilled. However, investing in a house at the very moment my business was going through some scary financial shifts, on the heels of failed and expensive fertility treatments, was beyond uncomfortable and stressful. But when the house we fell in love, that we happened to already be renting, was going on the market? we had to try.
Buying this house took a big leap of faith, plus persistence in the face of many “no’s”. With a fierce determination, a knowing that there’s always a way and the support of many, Sean and I made it happen and are still making it happen. Two bumpy years in, it feels like we’re gradually finding our footing again. And every day we wake up we could not be more thankful that the perfect timing led us here. We LOVE this house, our neighborhood and our neighbors so, so much, and not to mention the tiny critters (pepita, mae mae and anderson cooper) who unexpectedly found homes with us here. The support, connections and friendships we have on our block are unlike any other neighborhood I’ve ever lived in.
We now know that landing here came at the exact perfect timing. We couldn’t always see it...especially that day when our former next door neighbors unexpectedly bought the last house we were renting and we had to move suddenly and the only way to break the news to Sean was a shot of tequila after crying the news to my friend over dinner...If we only knew it was all just leading us here, it might have eliminated the fear accompanied by so much anguish. And now we have this beautiful house as a daily reminder to fear less, trust more - to let go of the struggle and enjoy the process.
Thank you to everyone who came out for our opening on Saturday!
In between shows, I forget just how much effort goes into an opening night. From painting to curating to hanging to marketing {& more marketing} to creating a warm environment where everyone feels inspired and welcome. A joyful and uncomfortable process all rolled into one. All with no guarantees of number in attendance or art sales.
No matter how many times you share your work and ~ stretch ~ as an artist, you never get used to it. This is why support in all forms is always so appreciated, especially in person.
Think about someone who could use your support right now and pass it on. You can never underestimate how much it means when you show up for someone else.
The painting featured: "What did the Dinosaur say to Everyone?" also titled "all of me" as this is one of my largest pieces to date.
