Starting Is The Hardest Part

After a restful January spent lounging at home, I emerged from hibernation with renewed creativity. I started cooking more and even baked some bread, then I began to play around with some art ideas that have been on the back-burner since November: a bandana to celebrate the upcoming solar eclipse and a simple desert scene made up of line art.

Black bandana with white lettering reading "Texas Eclipse 2024" and simple symbols of the sun and moon.
Texas Eclipse Bandana, hand-printed on cotton – grab one here before they’re gone.
A sun shines down on a saguaro cactus.
The simple desert scene depicting a saguaro cactus, which I used to make a fun, glittery sticker.

I was also honored by Tacoma-based band Prickly Paranoia when they asked me to design a T-shirt.

A woman wearing a black t-shirt with a colorful cactus logo.
Such a fun project!

In February I was suddenly inundated with opportunities to share my creations: I participated in an emergency art show / fundraiser to help Big Medium recover from a fire that broke out in their new gallery, popped-up at the Galentines Market hosted by Clover + Maven, and delivered one of my largest paintings to the Visions Unbound group show at ArtUs Co (on exhibition thru March 16, 2024).

A blue and black painting of three grackles hangs on a gallery wall.
My painting “Taco Raptors” at Big Medium’s Fire Recovery Exhibition.
A few people crowd around art at a gallery.
A group of art lovers appreciating the wall where my painting “Topographic Map Of Barton Creek Greenbelt” hangs at ArtUs Co.

It’s been great to be so busy and full of energy, but I’ve missed painting. I cleaned out my studio and made a larger space for my easel, but there always seems to be something more pressing to attend to. I wonder if I’m finding reasons not to work on my painting.

Every so often this kind of fear-based procrastination creeps in. Painting can feel SO BIG, so vulnerable, because I love it so much, and because I’m putting it out there.

But I know just how to solve this problem. All I need to do is start, after that, everything else will flow. Starting is the hardest part. And so, I begin…

Art studio with painting on easel.

COMING UP
You can find me and my art at these events and exhibitions:

February 9 – March 16, 2024
Visions Unbound Group Exhibition with work from 50+ Austin artists.
ArtUs Co, 10000 Research Blvd, FREE

Saturday, March 9, 2024
Art In ATX Babes Market with live music from DJ Dámino serving Nu Funk/ Tropical House & Ecstatic Dance Sets. Shop from local businesses and artists ranging from baked goods, to fine art paintings, jewelry & much more!
Batch, 3220 Manor Rd, 12-4pm, FREE

Saturday, March 9, 2024
Salon-style group art show with on-site artist studios to explore, a photo booth for guests to commemorate their experience, and a drink making cocktail machine debut by Mixim. Drinks are free for guests 21+. Nonalcoholic beverages provided by Liquid Death will also be available free to all guests.
Highland Collective Gallery, 6401 Airport Blvd, 6-11pm, $10

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Unofficial SXSW Party with art market, DJ, rum and chocolate tastings!
Clover + Maven, 1023 Springdale Rd, 5-7pm, FREE

April 26 – May 27, 2024
May Market with 100+ regional artists and artisans under one roof! (open weekly Friday-Sunday + Memorial Day)
Blue Genie Art Bazaar, FREE


Hope to see you there! (ask me how my painting is coming)