artist update

So, we've been home just under two months now, and we are very much in the middle of our celebratory season--  somehow, in this expanse between the holidays and summer that normally is a bit blank and dreary for many people, Tyler and I have managed to fill up almost every week with some sort of celebration.  We got home, and immediately it was Violet's birthday,  which we celebrated for about two weeks.  Then came Easter.  Then came our anniversary.  Tomorrow is Tyler's birthday (happy birthday, love bug), and then in just a couple of short days is Mother's Day.  After that, quickly comes my birthday, and then Father's day.  And what do you know?  We suddenly then are welcoming in summer (which we all know fills up quickly.

In short, I have been sitting here this last week very much feeling as though the time is racing by, and June-August will be here k nocking before I know it.  I'm not sure about my other artist friends, but I always feel as though summer, for whatever reason, is a major deadline-time for me and my artwork.  I'm not talking about various little illustration projects that I have going on here and there with various organizations, but more of a deadline for myself to get my own personal stuff out there into cafes, artwalks, festivals, etc.  

Frankly, it's been a big stress lately.  In the midst of getting some grant application type stuff out, I was going over my artist CV, and I realized that I haven't really taken the time to produce a whole lot of new work since Violet was born that I am excited about.  There has been plenty to do;  work for the University, shoe painting, exhibits of past work for the Japanese Garden, producing prints and cards, etc......  But in the busy-ness of all this, while being a mommy, I haven't taken the time to really grow my personal portfolio.  

So, what does this mean?  Well......  I've decided to cancel the few shows that I have booked for the summer, and take this time to clear my head and busy my desk with some new projects.  I have some exciting stuff brewing;  I don't want to give too much away just yet (nothing like a good dash of superstition to keep an artist's mouth closed)... but can tell you that there will, of course, be many birdies, some of the Indian variety, and I am possibly going to be teaming with some exciting folks, and down one avenue there may be elephants involved.