Looking Back on 2023 | Looking Forward to 2024

  What a year 2023 was!  I can't believe that I spent 1/4 of it in France, painting in Monet's garden and traveling around France.  Those 3 months were magical and it gave me the confidence to travel internationally.  To just realize that there's a whole world out there and so many things to see and people to meet.
  Speaking of travel, I'm planning some workshops for 2024-2025.  I'm excited to be a part of a German-based company called ARTISTRAVEL (See picture below) - We're even talking about possibly doing a Japan workshop at some point.  I've been fascinated with Japan since I was a kid so I'd love to go there to experience it.  I never thought I'd have the ability to travel around the world so I'm very grateful for all these opportunities
  Closer to home, there's a Sargent exhibit up in Boston that I'd like to go see.  Last year my long-time friend, Asem Ahmed and I saw the Sargent and Spain exhibit in D.C., which was great.  So I may see if he wants to go check out the Boston show.
  Last week, I finished up my semester at the Ridgewood Community School.  Now, I'm  looking at the spring semester which begins in March 2024.  I'm planning to teach the same watercolor course and I may also teach a drawing course.
  During the summer 2024,  I'll be spending 5 weeks in Florence to finish up my graduate degree.  The MA program at the Florence Academy of Art has been a perfect fit with my career.  My own skills have improved greatly and I highly recommend this program to other artist/educators.  
  One of my main goals for 2024 is to network to find new opportunities for commissioned work.  I've built up a large portfolio of commissions and I'm at a point where I'm really happy with my artistic abilities.  I've always loved portraits and now I'm looking to take my professional career to the next level.  Anyone interested in my commission information can check out my COMMISSIONS PAGE.
  Looking back on 2023, I'm feeling very proud of all that I accomplished.  It's been a lot of work to improve as an artist and to find opportunities, but I love what I do and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  As always, there were good times and bad times, good people and not-so-good people.  There was also a lot of trial and error, but I learned a lot about myself through the process.  
  Thank you for following a long and I wish you all a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!