Hey my loyal fans and new friends. It’s been a minute since I’ve taken the time to write out some happenings around here. To say it’s been crazy is an understatement but I’m sure it’s nothing short of a similar experience for you as well. A lot has stayed the same in my life, I’m working at the farm for 8-9 months out of the year while continuing my art career. Sometimes I do some freelance design work but that has slowed down a bit. At first I was a bit anxious about not being identified as a designer because I felt that if that took a backseat I’d lose all of my skill and knowledge somehow? As time has passed I’ve realized I can never lose it as long as I’m practicing creatively. Which is to say, the skills I develop in design always carry over to my art and so on. Skills always build onto one another, nothing is ever really lost.
Which is a good intro into the end of 2021. We lost both our geriatric pets. Our sweet cat Gizmo in October and our gem of a pupper, Ruby girl two days before Christmas. Nothing can prepare you for that depth of grief. I knew it was close for both of them but I didn’t know it was that close. Growing old, for them, was quick. I blinked and their time was transitioning into another dimension and again, I was reminded that nothing is ever lost. They have just taken a different form in my life and it exist in my cells. Sometimes I’ll be going about my day and a vision of me kissing rubies snooter will flash in my mind and the grief hits so deeply. It always hits harder with the memories of love shared. The idea of contrasting feelings existing at once is so intriguing for me. It’s actually why I’m moved to create visually. Words are fleeting when it comes to this idea of juxtaposition with emotion and life. The depth is voiceless. But, we do have our young little lads which have eased the transition. Our new baby pupper Oatmeal Raisin boy (AKA Oattie) and my cat Mookie.
I realized as I processed Ruby’s death that I thought I was having a hard time with the end of an era with her but there was actually a part where I had to grieve who I was with her by my side. That lifetime was lived, I’ve reached a new beginning, the middle of a new decade. And man, is letting go of a woman who got me here, hard. While, again, having a contrasting feeling of so much joy of where I am and the excitement of where I’m going. Because I feel in my bones that a lot is just starting.
Which leads me to sharing with you all that I finally launched my Patreon page. Where you can choose a membership to join and support me and my creative work and get so many cool perks. I will share behind the scenes videos, studio tours, sketchbook tours, early release of work so you can get your hands on it first, the top two tiers have physical mail, postcards and zines. This year I’m working on a really exciting project with a friend and I will share what that is with details only on my patreon in the spring. Please consider supporting me there. It will rock your world. I’m excited to take my business to the next level but I cannot do it without the support of all of you, however you show up for me. Thank you, always. After I reach 50 patrons I will paint each one of you (no matter what membership) an original 4 x 6 painting.
Last but not least, Valentines Day is among us and I have a couple of cute card designs I will be releasing next week with a limited supply of patches and stickers. If you want early release opportunities, you’ll get that 24hrs prior to release day on Patreon.
I hope you all are staying healthy, happy and safe in 2022 and I look forward to seeing you around. Thank you for being here and I’m grateful for you all.
xL