I see I've neglected my blog for a year....At one point I felt like this year would never end. And in other ways it feels so short. Will I readily be able to write 2026 or revert to some other decade like 1996?
My year can be summed up in several ways. Two meaningful pieces of art. And one goal I set, not being reached, then trying to pivot. And I'm still trying to pivot...
The House that Wendy & Jeff Built
On January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Altadena fires broke out. My darling friend Wendy lost her home on Chautauqua in the Palisades. Lucky for me, I got to see her home, her home of 28 years that she had remodeled. A home with very personal artwork. A home of cherished memories. This Home Portrait made of fabric and thread, was something I could do that could possibly - I don't know how to say it... Mend their hearts? Bring them joy? I don't know. But bottom line, for me, it was an expression of what a lovely, thoughtful and kind person Wendy is.
Later in the year, my son-in-law's mother showed this Home Portrait to her friend Paula, in Newport, OR.
Paula commissioned me to create a Home Portrait of her very special home in Newport, overlooking the beach and ocean.
Paula commissioned me to create a Home Portrait of her very special home in Newport, overlooking the beach and ocean.
Paula and Todd's House
It was important to her to include her two pups and two kitties. I kept Paula informed of my progress and she had nothing but enthusiasm and encouragement. She and Todd planned ahead of delivery where to hang the piece. They loved the resulting work.
The one big goal I had set for 2025 was to have an online Art Auction of my L.A. Series. I had created 10 pieces of art focused on L.A. Landmarks. I had lived in L.A. a total of 45 years and lived in the same house for 32 years, before moving to San Luis Obispo. I thought I had chosen the perfect non-profit to partner with. This was not my first rodeo, i.e. my first online art auction. I had managed several successful auctions with willing partners.
So as I chose my 'perfect' partner and did my pitch, I could see it was not going to be an immediate sell. I circled back several times and nothing came of it. I had put all my eggs in one unwilling basket. Did I pivot? No, I did not. I was stuck. However, I began showing my series to various audiences and did sell one piece of the Griffith Park Observatory. The piece had meaning to the buyer as she used to live in LA and had a view of the Observatory.
So as I chose my 'perfect' partner and did my pitch, I could see it was not going to be an immediate sell. I circled back several times and nothing came of it. I had put all my eggs in one unwilling basket. Did I pivot? No, I did not. I was stuck. However, I began showing my series to various audiences and did sell one piece of the Griffith Park Observatory. The piece had meaning to the buyer as she used to live in LA and had a view of the Observatory.
So now what? I need to completely finish the series. Perhaps frame a few. Brainstorm more avenues for display and partnering. I'm not sure why or how I got stuck....So brainstorm I will do...I'll reach out to my LA friends and see what input they have...what's the worst that could happen? I'll either get no response, or a bite. Time to pivot.
I won't go into all the heinous events of the year, too many to name. I just know that it's time to pivot. Clean off the proverbial cutting table, shuffle the cards and deal myself a new deck.
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