Tag Archives: art

Art Shows & Lake Travis Adventures

Good news! I finally have some dates for my first-ever-solo-art-show that was originally scheduled for May: my Iconic Texas series will be on display during May, 2021 at the Dougherty Arts Center!

Of course, we don’t know exactly what the exhibition will look like in terms of group gatherings, but we will figure out a way to safely enjoy the art together, in person. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and the support of the Dougherty. Check out this amazing video they created for my show:

And coming up a little sooner: the Austin Studio Tour is kicking off in November! It’s a virtual event and I’ve been busy adding art to my online gallery, prints to my shop, and videos to my YouTube channel.

Find out more about my art by checking out the newly expanded tour website at AustinStudioTour.org starting November 14.

The Studio Tour is my go-to for holiday gifts and I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone has been creating.

All this planning for the future made me realize that we’re heading toward cooler weather and my swimming days are numbered. So I grabbed my tube and headed out to a couple Travis County parks along the Colorado River.

Tubing near the cliffs at Tom Hughes Park on Lake Travis.
Watching sailboat races from Bob Wentz Park on Lake Travis.

I had no idea these parks existed until just a few weeks ago! After seeing all the new-to-me places on the Travis County Parks website, I’m challenging myself to explore them all.


MORE GOOD STUFF

If you live in Austin, check out Dear Diary Coffeehouse on Chicon Street, they’re helping out the local art community by turning their indoor seating area into a gallery and gift shop! You can browse stickers, prints, and much more when you pick up your coffee and you can even order art delivered to you when you place an order online. Check out the “Local Artists” menu to see photos of the art.

I’m currently re-reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s an easy, fun, inspiring journey through the inner lives of creatives. It’s on the list of books that have changed my life and I recommend it to everyone.

I’ve been getting in the Halloween spirit by watching horror movies by A24 Films and decorating my apartment with crafty cute little bats made by reusing paper towel or toilet paper rolls.

Catty and I wish you a wonderfully spooky and happy Halloween!

Stay At Home Adventures

It’s summer and I want to be outside.

Swimming, hiking, camping, road-tripping.

But the coronavirus infection rates in Texas have dramatically increased since Memorial Day and I want to protect myself and others. So, I’m staying in…or at least, close to home.

To satisfy my wanderlust, I’ve been going on solo hikes and walks around my new neighborhood. It’s a small neighborhood, only a few winding streets, but it’s on top of one of the tallest hills in Austin and has great views. It also happens to be a few miles from a big city park that offers swimming, camping, and miles of trails.

So, maybe I can plan a great stay-cation?

Looking out over Lake Travis, on a trail near my home.
Someone is leaving these adorable painted rocks around my neighborhood.

I originally planned to take a week off in June to relax and prepare for work on my next series of paintings. But like so many other items penciled into my planner, that vacation time was erased by the pandemic.

I’ve worked hard to adapt to the new reality of life while distancing. My art show was canceled and shopping feels safer when it’s online, so I’ve been taking online classes to gain the skills I need to run a better business and build a better website. It’s still a work-in-progress, but I have some art prints available in my online shop and the Art For The People Gallery has added my stickers to their website.

Looking for opportunities to exhibit, my friend and I participated in The National Arts Drive , a drive-by art show created to support artists who have lost the ability to share their craft.

It’s been good to stay motivated and busy. Having goals to focus on has helped keep me positive. But it’s been a difficult time for everyone, and even my free time can feel like work.

As much as we may try to keep it light, conversations with friends and family are pulled toward current events. We grapple with the new normal, grasp for actionable steps, and strive to understand different points of view and incorporate, tolerate, or fight against them.

It’s been a lot of work, all of this new information, new perspectives, new challenges, moving into a new home. I think it’s time I took a break to process it all, so that I can integrate it into a new life.

Like a butterfly in its cocoon, I need to rest so that I can transform.

Taking time to get outside and out of my head is vital for maintaining my mental health.
I regularly hike on the Barton Creek Greenbelt and recently discovered the Lost Creek portion, with its impressive cliffs and flowing water.
On one of our hikes, my friends and I found this obviously hungry and lonely cat meowing around the trash cans. He is now healthy and happy in his new home.
Scenic drives are a great way to get out of the house while socially distancing. Earlier this year, some friends and I did a convoy tour of Willow City Loop, which is a perfect day trip from Austin.
Just going for a walk can have huge rewards! I discovered this cactus in bloom along the side of the road, in a neighbor’s yard.




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WHAT’S KEEPING ME BUSY

Weekly free professional development classes for creatives, online at CreativeLive.

Improving my art-photography skills after watching this amazing instructional video.

Finally getting a cute, washable face mask by Carly Weaver.

Talking about the invisible privilege inherent in not knowing about historical events like the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Listening to The Happiness Lab podcast, with tons of tips for improving your mood.

Working on some cute sticker designs and a painting commission which I’ll be able to share soon!

Reframe & Reset

One of the first thoughts I had when the new coronavirus struck was how everyone on earth would be simultaneously dealing with canceled plans. The things we’ve been building, working toward, and dreaming of would be gone. Normally, when this happens in life, we can turn to our friends for support. But now we find ourselves in a situation where everyone is struggling, mourning the loss of their freedom, hopes, and dreams.

But from the ashes of our previously-laid plans, sprout new hopes. This is a time to be creative. History shows how good we are at adapting to a changing environment, and the news is becoming permeated with stories of people fighting their way through the crisis, making positive changes in the world for themselves and the people around them.

This is a time when I can see how important we are to each other. Helping others brings meaning and joy to our lives.

I’ve often found peace of mind in nature and have been going on lots of walks, hikes, and runs to curb my anxiety.
I’ve often found peace of mind in nature and have been going on lots of walks, hikes, and runs to curb my anxiety.

So, today I’m feeling optimistic, which is a good thing because I just found out that my first solo art show has been canceled, perhaps postponed until May, 2021.

I’ve decided to view this challenge as an opportunity. I can feel extra-prepared for the show when it comes. I can keep painting. I can keep working and growing my skills. I can adapt.

We are tenacious survivors and we will get through this together. We will help each other, because that is part of what makes us human.

I'd ordered 500 flyers to promote my art show before the virus hit. After mourning the loss of the show for a few days I realized that the flyers still have value and I'm happily sending them to whoever wants them.
I’d ordered 500 flyers to promote my art show before the virus hit. After mourning the loss of the show for a few days I realized that the flyers still have value and I’m happily sending them to whoever wants them.

Since I can’t have an exhibition or party to celebrate the paintings I created for my Iconic Texas series, which were scheduled to be on display next month, I will be posting photos on my Instagram and Facebook pages throughout May. Please follow me there to see all the art.

Thanks to everyone for your support and good luck to you on your journey toward your goals, however twisting and turning it might be!

A Growing Series

I’ve been busy adding to my Iconic Texas series with larger acrylic paintings based on my experiences traveling The Lone Star State.

Here’s a couple of my newest paintings, to be included in the upcoming exhibition:

"Echo Canyon" - Acrylic On Canvas - 30"x24" - $975
“Echo Canyon” – Acrylic On Canvas – 30″x24″ – Enchanted Rock State Park

West Texas Highway – Acrylic On Canvas – 20″x30″ – Somewhere between Texas and New Mexico

I’m currently working on an armadillo painting, because how could I have a Texas-themed art show without including the official State Small Mammal?

Iconic Texas will be at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery from May 2 – June 6, 2020 with a reception and art talk during the West Austin Studio Tour.

Until then, I’ll be continuing to paint my favorite Texas icons.