Happy Fall! Where Did the Last 5 Months Go?!

Is Time Really Moving Fast, or Is It Just Me?

As I get older I’m noticing that time seems to go by faster and faster. Is it just me, or are you feeling the same? Fall is here already and I have no idea where summer went. Over the last five months, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching; really thinking about my life and thinking about how fast 56 years have flown by. There are days I even catch myself thinking about where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and where I’d like to be.

Focusing on Mindset and Mindfulness

Today, I find myself focusing on my mindset and try to be mindful of my daily activities. Building a positive daily routine has fast become a priority. I make it a point to get out and walk nearly every day. I also journal about my thoughts and ideas, writing about the things and people I’m grateful for. I also take time to read books and magazines about art, mindfulness, mindset, and enjoy focusing on my latest online art/surface pattern design courses. My time is becoming more valuable it seems.

Art, Gratitude, and Creative Friendship

This year, I have enjoyed creating art in my studio along side my talented studio-mate Veronica Campos-Hallstrom. Veronica is absolutely the most beautiful, funny, creative, and passionate artist I know. She works circles around me, but also pushes me to become a better artist. I am very grateful for her friendship. Check out her latest hand-printed paper collage art below!! This is available for purchase!

The Cottage Fairy and the Appeal of Simplicity

Speaking of mindfulness, I recently stumbled upon Paola Merrill, an interesting YouTuber. Her channel is called The Cottage Fairy. Her words, voice, and lifestyle resonate with me. She lives a simple life, out in the middle of nowhere, in the state of Washington. Her videos entitled The Beauty of an Ordinary Life and I Have No Ambition in Life, but I Feel Fine inspire me. She seems wise beyond her years and has a profound way of thinking. She makes me miss our life in Nova Scotia. There is something to be said about living a simple life in a beautiful part of the world. My life’s goal is to find that calmness and serenity, again.

Mindfulness Resources and Recommended Reads

If you’re interested in knowing more about leading a mindful life check out Mindful.org to learn more. In addition, I’m happy to recommend three of my favorite books that focus on leading a more creative life and and how to embrace optimism: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Let it Be Easy by Susie Moore, and Chasing the Bright Side by Jess Ekstrom. Another book I have only just started reading, Mind Your Mindset by Michael Hyatt & Megan Hyatt Miller, has already been a game-changer.

Learning and Growing in My Digital Art Journey

In case you were wondering how my digital art business is going, I’m still learning and continuing to strengthen my surface pattern design skills. In March, I signed up for Stacie Bloomfield’s Leverage Your Art. I started this awesome program, but life somehow sidetracked me and I haven’t finished it, yet. With that said, the modules I have completed are proving to be the best ever in learning the business side of selling my art. Thankfully I have lifetime access to the program and can jump back in at any time. Which I plan to do after I finish From Paint to Pattern with Sarah Watts.

Yes, I signed up for another class before I finished Stacie’s program. This is because Sarah only offers her course once a year, so I had to sign up this year, as I missed out last year. I’m absolutely loving learning all about Photoshop and how to add texture to my surface pattern designs. This is an all-in-one course for learning about illustration and pattern design. Not to mention, Photoshop has changed so much since I took it at Meredith College 20+ years ago.

I’m currently in week three of eight and oh man, I’ve already learned so much — totally worth the price. Adobe Photoshop is a raster program whereas Adobe Illustrator is a vector program. If you’d like to know more about the differences between raster and vector art, head back to my prior blog posts Announcing my 2022 New Creative Art Adventure and An Exclusive Look at Surface Pattern Design, 101 for more information, as these posts have all the details. Also feel free to email with your questions, I’d be happy to answer them.

Finding Inspiration in a Design Community

I also follow and receive emails from the Pattern Observer. Michelle Fifis is the founder of Pattern Observer, she sends out a weekly newsletter that includes tips, trends, and tutorials that help textile designers grow their businesses. She also has a private design community called The Textile Design Lab which is a professional community forum with over 200 designers; its a place to connect with like-minded artists and designers and includes nine courses covering topics on repeats, pattern design, and how to sell your artwork. I’ve joined this fantastic community of artists.

A few weeks ago, the Textile Design Lab had a guest speaker by the name of Cinthia James. Cinthia is an award-winning author, illustrator, and surface pattern designer. She recently published a book called: Treasure Found – An Art Journey. She talked about how she helps artists find their creative flow and set up productive routines, explains imposter syndrome and how to avoid it, talks about how to break through art blocks, and how to develop a unique artistic style. Cinthia’s artwork and presentation were so inspiring, of course I had to buy her book!! I absolutely recommend it to all my fellow artists!! It’s a quick read with easy to follow tips.

Discovering Milanote and Getting Organized

Derek and I recently discovered Milanote through a super talented photographer/videographer on YouTube by the name of Tamara Gabriel. Milanote has been an absolute game-changer for organizing our creative projects!! Derek and I love Milanote. It’s easy to use. I also found an excellent beginner’s course on Milanote by Nache Snow, on Skillshare: Milanote for Beginners: Step-By-Step Guide to Organizing Your Creative Projects. Stephen Gates — The Crazy One, on YouTube, also has a masterclass course on Milanote: Essential Milanote tips and tricks. Both are excellent courses to help get you started.

Finding Encouragement and Entering My First Art Show

In other art news, Veronica convinced me to enter my first art show in New Bern at the Bank of the Arts. We both entered the Roy-G-Biv exhibition, one of the biggest shows of the year. Veronica won honorable mention with her lovely painting, Blanco in Bloom, which was a proud moment for both of us.

Travel Adventures with Family

In May, Derek and I visited our kids and grandkids in Houston, Texas. That was a fun filled week. We visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science. What an amazing museum. The Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals were part of the museum’s permanent exhibitions and the highlight of our trip. There was so much to see and do in the museum, we couldn’t do it all. So, we’ll have to go back!

Owen’s a Published Author!

Another fun surprise, we learned that our grandson Owen, with the help of his Dad (the awesome Mr. Luke) published his first book!! Leadership for little humans!! Derek and I are so proud!! If you’re interested in buying a copy of Owen’s book click on the link above! We were honored to receive an autographed copy from the authors!

One More Surprise! Another Move!

After we got home from Houston, it was a mad dash to get MOVED!!

I’m sure you probably just gasped and said “WHAT? Another move?” Yes, another move, AGAIN!! Hopefully the last move for a while.

Yep! We bought a house! Buying a house wasn’t really in the plans, but… if you know me, you know I’m a total real estate hound and always watching the real estate market. I received an email with an open house announcement for a nice home (in our budget), I showed it to Derek and suggested we check it out. Needless to say, we both fell in love the moment we walked in, and that was that!! We bought the house and put our condo on the market. Thankfully we live in a popular area and our condo sold quickly.

Embracing Scottish Culture at the Highland Games

In mid-July, we managed a quick weekend get-away to Grandfather Mountain to see the Highland Games. This is an event Derek has attended in the past and has always wanting to take me to. This year we made it happen. It was my first time attending and all I can say is Wow! It is definitely something to see. As the website says: “A wee bit of Scotland in the High Country of Western North Carolina.”

I was completely blown away by how many Scottish clans were represented at the games, over 100, and all wearing the most the beautiful tartans! The Parade of Tartans was stunning. We really enjoyed watching the track and field events, highland dancing, and the Highland Athletics, which is a series of six events including the hammer throw, weight toss for height, and the sheaf toss. These events were all something to see, but the most impressive to me was the caber toss, which is where the athlete’s goal is to flip this gigantic log so that it falls in the 12′ o’clock position. Very impressive.

A Surprise Trip to Florida to Visit My Dad

After we returned from Grandfather Mountain, we learned that my Dad was hospitalized with pneumonia, third time in less than 6 weeks. I knew I needed to make a trip to Florida. I called my best friend Rhonda and let her know the status of Dad. Luckily she had some leave and immediately jumped into her truck and drove straight down to my house from the upper peninsula of Michigan. We then drove another 12 hours to my parent’s house. We managed to arrive around 8am and headed to the hospital to surprise my Dad. He was tickled pink to see us!

Needless to say, he was completely and totally blown away by our surprise visit. Thankfully our visit was a turning point for him, as I found out later. Our showing up completely changed his attitude about his situation and it made him want to get better and get out of the hospital. Mom said before we showed up he was ready to throw in the towel. Our arrival made his day and changed his entire disposition regarding his situation. Thankful that he made a full recovery and made it home.

We hung around for about 5 days and Rhonda helped finish painting the backside of the house. This way Dad wouldn’t try to take that on by himself once he got out of the hospital. As doing too much is what landed him in the hospital in the first place. It was a productive visit and worth every moment. I really appreciated the deep topics of conversation with my Dad on the days I got to sit alone with him.

Another Surprise Trip

Much to my surprise, a few weeks later, my parents called us to say they wanted to come to New Bern for a visit! I couldn’t believe my ears! As Dad told me about 7 years ago that he and Mom would never travel again due to his health. So, I have to admit, this was a bit of a worry for me and my Mom, but Dad was insistent upon coming up. Dad made all the plans, and eventually let Mom in on everything.

They made the trip, stopping along the way to visit some dear friends in Athens, GA and Wilmington, NC. Once they made it to New Bern, they stayed with us for about 5 days and had more friends come to our house! We also made a trip up to Zebulon to see even more friends. Who knew they had so many friends!! (see me laugh and smile with a bit of sarcasm). Two of Dad’s friends, we both used to work with at American Tower, and their wives, actually bought some art from me while they were visiting!! That was so awesome!! Thank you Jeff & Debbie and David & Dana!!

More Art Sales

Speaking of selling art, I also sold a commission piece to my friend Stan, he was my team lead when I worked in Dayton, Ohio. It was a labor of love. He was very patient with me, as it took me three years to complete the painting with all of our moving to Canada and back. But, nonetheless, I finished the painting and he absolutely loves it!!

Donating Art; Supporting Pediatric Cancer Research

I recently donated a painting to my friend Jamie Lynn Moore. Jamie and I went to art school together at Meredith College. She and her husband Richard lost their beautiful son Mason to brain cancer November 6, 2023. I don’t normally donate my artwork, but I made the exception for this particular cause. Jamie and Richard are sponsoring a fundraiser called Art For Hope Project, in honor of their son Mason.

The fundraiser is a live and virtual auction event, with all proceeds directly benefiting The Cure Starts Now (TCSN). TCSN is a nonprofit that is dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. The event will be held on Thursday October 3, from 6 to 9pm at The Museum at Car Space, 5200 Greens Dairy Road, Raleigh, NC 27616.

Please consider donating or attending this event if you can! Or go online an possibly place a bid on one of the many amazing pieces of art available for purchase!!

As of September 21st, Jamie and her husband have raised over $15,000 of their $25,000 goal. You can make a difference by donating at the “The Cure Starts Now” link above. If you have any questions about auction process please email  artforhoperaleigh@gmail.com for more information.

Jamie recently came to New Bern to see me and pick up a framed print of one of Derek’s race car photos for the fundraiser! She is also a very talented artist, please feel free to check out her work here: JamieLynnMoore.com

Upcoming Art Shows and Events

In other art news, Veronica and I will both be submitting artwork this fall for MumFest in New Bern, NC this year. Mumfest is an annual fall event and takes place on Oct 12 – 13. More information can be found at MumFest.com. Our works of art will be part of the Craven Arts Council show called Mum’s The Word, located at Bank of the Arts on Middle Street in New Bern. Show opens October 11th from 5 to 8pm.

AND… more fall art news!! Veronica and I will be participating in the New Bern Artists Open Studio Tour on Nov 1 & 2 this year!! We are both so excited!! If you’re in the area, please stop by our studio located at 1210 Highland Avenue, Suite H, New Bern, NC 28562. Times are Friday, November 1, 5pm – 8pm and Saturday, November 2, 10am – 4pm. Link to my artwork listing, click here! Link to Veronica’s artwork listing, click here!

Last but not least, next week I’m heading to Gatlinburg, TN to attend the Silk Painters International (SPIN) Festival. I’ll be spending my time at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts where I’ll be taking The Magic of Landscapes with Diane Lawrence and Embellishments and Effects with Margaret Peot. I’m so excited, I can hardly stand myself. I haven’t been to a SPIN Festival since 2018. I’m overdue. I look forward to seeing the fall colors during my time in the mountains. I even received my new Converse Chuck Taylor Shoes just in time for me to take them on my trip!! Yes, I designed them myself on the Converse website!

Reflecting on an Incredible Year

It has been an incredible year so far, and we’re not even into October yet!! Fall will probably go by even faster than summer and the next thing you know, it will be Christmas!!

As always, thank you for following along on this journey with me. If you are interested in reading my future topics, please subscribe below and I will send you and email whenever I upload a new blog post. As always, I am interested in hearing your views, please post in the comments below. Take Care, sending you love and positive energy.