April had my head spinning. One thing I've been tossing around in my head relates to the possibility of changing my direction artistically. There's also issues relating to social media I'm thinking about. Yes, I'm currently stuck in a rumination loop, with the expectation that I'll come to some conclusions over the coming months. That's generally how it goes for me. I drive myself crazy thinking. Then, one day the penny drops and decisions are made that I feel good about. 

My experience related to the Oliver Art Center, has opened up many new thoughts, too. Seeing the art there, meeting artists and experiencing my first Artists Talk was enlightening. Creatives are my tribe. I feel as though I am ready for a change, at least partly because of the experience.

I did finish 3 new paintings in April. They are all pictured below. The first two were both over heavily textured canvases, the third was on a flat canvas. YES, I was thinking a LOT while painting - especially while painting the panel titled CONTEMPLATION.

Where is my creativity is going? I don't have firm answers today, but I promise I'll keep you in the loop! 

On Friday, March 28th, 2025, I participated in my first Artists Talk at the Oliver Center in Frankfort, Michigan. I was invited to be a featured artist there and had 21 pieces in the SHE exhibition for Women's History Month. It was a big day and I wanted to write some of my thoughts about it. I’m sitting on the far left in the group of featured artists in the pics below.

The funniest thing for me about this is that when Julie White Pierce (the curator there who invited me to be a featured artist there) initially told me about the “Artists Talk,” she mentioned we’d be sitting around a table. So, I figured small group of artists talking. OK then. Cool. I’ve got this.

It’s a 3 hour drive there for me. The weather on Friday was better than the whiteout snow conditions encountered when delivering the artwork a month ago. Friday was an overcast day with some rainy places, thankfully without the harrowing white knuckle experience.

Upon entering the Arts Center I noticed 5 chairs in the gallery. Behind those chairs up front, I could see six pieces of my art on the wall. There were chairs being unfolded and placed for an audience. I didn’t see a table, nor did I google what exactly an Artists Talk is.

Well, well. Suddenly, I had to face my fear of public speaking. My head spun and I swallowed the lump in my throat as I wondered how I’d wipe that deer-in-the-headlights look off my face. I had a few minutes to walk around, met some new artists and greeted a few familiar faces before it got underway. I met featured artist Judy Jashinsky before we sat down, I really resonated with her vibe! Sitting next to her was perfect given the situation, even though I had just met her, it felt as though I had my emotional support artist sitting next to me as I was in uncharted territory with a crowd.

Guess what? My unprepared self was in that chair in front of the audience for two full hours. Much to my surprise, I did it. And… I didn’t die.

Granted, I can’t remember everything I said due to the blur induced by my internal stressing, but I jumped that hurdle. It was meant to happen that way. I’m glad it did since I couldn't avoid it. I’m proud to have been sitting there with the amazing women featured artists as well as the mix of wonderful artists in the room.

Thank you for the experience, Julie!
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NOTE: in the photos featuring the artists, I'm on the far left. Next to me is artist, Judy Jashinsky, Shelley Stevens, Rebecca Mott and Melissa Jones. Check out their work!

Here are three small paintings of 1920s era flappers. They are all painted on 8x8" canvases. I created these as study pieces to see if I wanted venture into painting larger pieces in this style. I have come to he conclusion that I don't! But, I do favor the one in the middle, because it appears more loose and abstracted since the flesh tones are different than the other two paintings. The others seem too "cutesy" to me and, THAT is not my thing. I don't resonate with that at all!

Below is a painting I've titled, ASCENSION. She's painted on an 11x14" gallery canvas. I love the abstracted elements in this. Going forward, I'll be experimenting with it (and other abstractions) over the summer.

I'm surprised how far down the rabbit hole I have gone with painting. Since picking it up during the pandemic, I haven't stopped and actually have no plans to. While I wish I would have taken up painting much earlier in my life, I'm happy with where things have been going. I can see now how much my painting has progressed from where I began.

It's an interesting journey. Not sure where exactly it's all going, but I feel the need to create on a regular basis. Will I paint more faces going forward? Most likely. But, I'm not limiting myself to the possibility of changing course either. Freedom from mental constraints here is a gift I give myself.

So what about making cohesive artwork? Am I all over the map if I take detours and experiment? I don't think so. Experiments have taught me some valuable lessons. I have no barriers (aside from myself and $ for materials) to play and create however I'd like. I'm intrigued and interested in surrealism and abstracts so it's possible I may play around in that area in the future. Time will tell!

In December 2024, below are the two paintings that were completed in 2024.​

In January 2025, I completed 5 paintings you can see below: