Greetings from the nebulous space between Christmas and New Years. I’m home for the holidays this year in Philadelphia, PA where the average temp is a spooky 50 degrees. The time change has me sleeping in til 11 and up til midnight but I’m just going with it. I have embraced my blob-ness and am sleeping often and playing Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Switch I gifted myself.
I picked up my sketchbook habit the other day after putting it down for a bit. Maybe it was a little forced as it tends to be after a break – I have to sweet talk myself into drawing and painting again. Finding a good spot is key. I ended up dumping my art supplies on my Mom’s Grammy’s old writing desk next to the fire place.
Here is my takeaway from this nebulous week: Logically I know it would benefit my creativity to slow down, maybe pause and take a break to asses and evaluate. But, I can’t help feeling a nagging pressure to keep making so I don’t lose momentum.
I have a big announcement
I’m working on an art show and have been for this past year. I will be hanging it up January 20th at Albina Press on Hawthorne. Here’s a sneak peak:
I have experienced a range of highs and lows putting this small collection of paintings together. Like most people, I romanticize the idea of something and sometimes it’s so appealing that I get to work. Inevitably though there’s a dip in my motivation and reality doesn’t match my romanticized vision. I get antsy and want to move on to the next thing.
It’s not that I don’t like the work I’m making. Maybe there’s a part of me that believes dreaming about the thing actually feels more magical than the reality of achieving the thing.
I’m still asking myself these questions as I rally to finish the last couple paintings. I’ll be advertising the show more on my Instagram and hope to announce an opening or closing party there soon!
Thank you as always for reading and supporting :)
-Allie
Upcoming Events:
Art Show “Habitat” starting January 20th at Albina Press coffee shop on SE Hawthorne.
I am teaching my 5 week Sketchbook Journey class again starting at the end of February! Sign up here if you are interested, I would love to have you. While you’re at it, check out the other amazing classes Ulna offers. I love Intuitive Drawing taught by Lettie Jane (starts soon!) This class was a real game changer for my art.
If you purchased one of my prints this December from The Crafted Prints thank you – I will be donating the proceeds to World Food Program to support families in Gaza. The genocide happening there right now is so nonsensically ugly. I’m squeezing my family tight and trying to wrap my head around what more we can do.
Currently reading:
The second book in the Mirror Visitor series: The Missing of Clairedelune by Christelle Dabos
Currently listening to:
My favorite Christmas song Fairytale of New York by the Pogues
I love the title of this post. I’m going to take January off IG, please let me know about the show opening I CANNOT WAIT
Glad you're having a wonderful time! So excited for your 2024 ♥️