I’m so honored to have my guest post, The Top Five Lessons I Learned From My First Solo Show, published on the incredibly helpful blog of The Abundant Artist. An excerpt: The year leading up to that solo show was a tremendous learning experience in terms of shaping my voice, organizing my work structure, and refining my creative process. What truly surprised me, however, was finding that the learning didn’t end once the show was hung. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons I learned through the entire process came after the opening. And it’s these I’m sharing with you below. You can read the rest of the post here. Thank you, Cory Huff!

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I am excited to donate one of my new artworks, “The Moment In-Between” to the Firecat Projects fundraising exhibition, which opens on Friday, December 27 2013 at 2124 N Damen Ave, Chicago IL. Firecat is one of the coolest galleries in Chicago and I’m not just saying that because I have a solo show there in 2014. Stan Klein, the rock star who founded Firecat, is dedicated to working with artists–especially emerging artists–to empower them to create sustainable art careers. His monthly shows are always filled with interesting, thought-provoking work. Over 50 works of art are available for sale at the fundraiser, including some fantastic pieces by Tony Fitzpatrick, Deborah Maris Lader, Renee Robins, Lauren Levato and Adam Shrewsbury.

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Lots of great, affordable art to be had at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative 24th Annual International Small Print Show. I’ll be showing some engraved wood necklaces as well as original, one-of-a-kind ornaments. The grand opening party is on Dec 7th and 8th, from 11am – 7pm. Join us for the food, festivities and fun! 4642 N Western Ave Chicago IL

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I’m feeling extra homesick for the west coast these days! Chicago winters are no fun. Reminiscing over a trip I took to Santa Fe this past spring with my lovely friend, Amanda. Some inspirational photos to remind myself that there is life beyond the winter harshness!        

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I am a lucky, lucky woman. Not only am I married to a pretty great guy who loves music and loves to travel, but he came packaged with a pretty great family as well! Nice deal for me, right? My in-laws own a place in Maine and we just spent a few lazy days there enjoying salt air, fresh seafood and pleasant walks in the warm sun. I was completely fascinated by the detritus of seafaring vessels past; it seemed like everywhere we went, there was an old rusty boat suffering through a forced retirement in the land-locked weeds and woods. I drew this little sketch years ago: I sent it to a friend from whom I was estranged. I didn’t fully understand the reasons for our separation in spite of my own culpability in causing it. I never heard back from her, but seeing all those boats stashed away in the backwoods of Maine reminded me of that feeling […]

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Thanks so much to Carilyn Spencer of the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop for sending me these photos of my work on display in the store. So cool to see it in context surrounded by these lovely pieces from Kristi Sloniger, an Illinois-based ceramics artist!

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