"Bandit"Oil on Panel
18x14"
2009
Well, it's a new year and I'm not even going to begin to attempt to status my 2009 goals to see how I did. That train derailed quickly when I got pregnant, and there's no point in beating myself up about what I didn't get done this year!
Instead, I figured I might as well make a short list of some of the things I DID manage to do this year, just to make myself feel a little bit better (even though I'll still be internally beating myself up). So, here are some of the things I'm proud to have accomplished this year:
- Had a painting accepted into the Salon International show
- Participated in the Colorado Governor's Invitational
- Survived 5 months of all-day "morning" sickness
- Managed to keep my art business afloat despite aformentioned morning sickness
- Got invited to join a great new gallery
- Had a successful two-person show in August
- Moved into the gorgeous new house my husband built
- Started working in my roomy new studio
- Gave birth to a beautiful baby boy (sans drugs!)
- Sold more paintings than I painted
- Had my work featured in and on the cover of the local tourist magazine
- Had my studio featured in the American Artist "Studios" magazine
- Awarded "Best of Show" in the November FineArtViews Contest
Overall, 2009 was a tough year for me, mainly because I had a rough pregnancy and couldn't physically do a lot of things I wanted to do. It was totally worth it though, and I know I can get things back on track with my art this year. I'm thankful for my kids and my health, and thankful that I get to do what I love for a living, so in the end it's all good.
Hi Stacey!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that is a pretty good list that really, being sick and preggers, would be tough for anyone! I can only hope my list, minus the pregnancy ;), is half as great as yours turned out.
Congrats to you and your accomplishments!
beautiful yet sad portrait Stacey. ok so you didn't manage to go parachuting last year. now that would have made your list more than impressive:) r.
ReplyDeleteThanks Justin. I see that you have a new little one too - congrats!
ReplyDeleteRahina - it's funny that you say the portrait is sad. Bandit is my mother in law's horse, and he's 24 years old. I decided to paint him for her since he won't be around for too much longer - he's getting old and slow, and it IS kind of sad =(
your accomplishments look pretty impressive to me - they certainly put mine to shame (and I wasn't even pregnant). Feel good!
ReplyDeleteYou are a person full of the power of actions. You have tried hard to go forward toward your dreams, despite the doubt and fears of others or yourself. You deserve to be proud of what you have accomplished - and for last year, if it did not go as fast as the plan you had, because of the baby, you just took the longer route and saw a slightly different view along the way. When you come full circle, you will be appreciating the same scenes with a different perspective. So relax, and enjoy the trip! (And I am looking up to you as a role model now to encourage myself keeping going along the way of painting. Thank you, coming across this blog and read about what you have gone through when pursuing your dreams may be the best thing that has happened to me this year...)
ReplyDeleteHello Stace, I have followed your work for some time and love. 're A talented artist. I also understand that you have a new baby, very beautiful, and that this set of things are you leaving anxious. Honey, this life is a time for everything. Have the time to love and enjoy our small children, and it is very short. Now they are a priority, they need your time. His art will always be with you, your children will not. They will grow. You can give the right time for everything. I am sure that their work will always be prettier. One step at a time. His Rosemarie fan of Brazil
ReplyDeleteMary - thanks, I think writing this list actually helped me to see that it was actually a pretty good year. I just didn't meet any of the actual goals I set out at the start of the year - that's life!
ReplyDeleteArena - thanks for the words of encouragement. Stick with the painting - staying with my art even when I had another job is the best thing I ever did!! It might take time, but it'll feed your soul.
Rosemarie - I do tend to get a bit anxious about the art stuff, but just because I love it so much. My kids are my priority right now though, and I'm trying to enjoy them as much as possible!!
Your year sounds fabulous - congrats on all the successes you had!
ReplyDeleteYou're a rock star in my book, dude.
ReplyDeleteI love the painting of Bandit. It makes me feel bad, though, for cutting off his head when I took what was otherwise a really cute photo of Pook and Princess on his back this summer...
just discovered your bog. What great work.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and keep it up
I'm really tough to please when it comes to equine paintings - but wow, this is wonderful. Beautifully drawn and skillfully shaded. Very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteOf course it was very difficult for you to manage all being pregnant but in the end I think you did many things in the past year and also some amazing work.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog and am very impressed by your work. Keep up the hard work. prints on canvas
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