Over 10 Years of Blogging!

  I'm a little late to this, but as of October of 2023, I crossed over the 10 year mark for my blog.  I started this blog in college and looking back, I'm very happy that I did.  This blog covers my art, inspiration, techniques, art history, travel and some other interesting topics thrown in.
  I really enjoy sharing stuff on this blog and many people have also tried to get me onto other sharing platforms.  I've been back and forth with some, but the truth is that I see all these things as pointless, ephemeral and often harmful.  When I was in college, I had a Facebook and it was great because all my friends had one and it was simply a way to communicate with one another.  It changed at some point and I see these sites now completely dominating people's lives.  I also don't like the fact that if I post something it is often hidden from my own followers.  And when it is discoverable, my art is sandwiched between vapid ads for make-up or fast food.  My own site here is entirely under my control and I write whenever I want to write and people can come and go as they please.  No addictive or manipulative tactics here.
  One of my goals with this blog is to not only share my journey, but to encourage others to go out into the world and paint.  I hope you can look at art in person and support artists whom you enjoy.  Make real connections and stay in touch with people.  It's a tough road as an artist of any kind, but it's extremely rewarding and I wouldn't trade my life for anything.
  So what's coming in the future?  I am planning some really big things in my life.  Since returning from France, I've been connecting with some absolutely amazing people, organizations, galleries, schools, etc.  I'm heading to Florence during the summer of 2024 as I finish my MA program at the Florence Academy of Art; so 2024 will be a busy year for me!  I'm really excited and proud of all that I've accomplished.
  To those reading: thank you.  Thank you for following along and I hope my blog provides information, introspection and inspiration.

My first ever blog post from 2013 - I love the title!