With end-of-year distractions, and social media sites in various states of disarray, I’m having trouble concentrating. Here’s an attempt to gather some grateful thoughts.

Generally, and despite the social media blowups, I am so glad to be able to keep in touch with so many people, in multiple ways. Each time I trade ideas or tips about art, I delight in our shared creativity.

The business side of my art has taken a backseat to these exchanges, which feel like a win on their own. But I did sell some work this year. In particular, I am delighted to have sold a piece I really like, to someone who really appreciates it. Isn’t that the best? It’s an honor to have my art hung in others’ homes.

The other opportunity I had for art exchanges were the several art events I attended: my open studios, spring and winter, receptions at Lynn Hanson Gallery for my July group show, and of course events at Sassafras in my neighborhood. It’s always great to balance the solitary work of art with some conversations in person.

If I’m not out at an event, my art process has a fairly consistent feel to it, and in a strange way, I’m grateful to pandemic restrictions for that. I have narrowed my process to a small art desk, my computer, and visits to my studio. I work on small pieces by hand at the desk, add more layers to them somehow, and scan anything good that results. Then, I try combinations with those digital layers to see what adds up. So, I have less of a calendar focus than before, but here are some things that lend themselves to a tally by calendar year:

• Shows: Using ArtworkArchive to track, I applied to 10 shows this year, and was invited to participate in several more. I appreciate a system that lets me remember what pieces have been sent where, and I’m really glad there are still some wonderful online shows to apply for.
• Learning: I took some excellent classes, got some good advice, and read a few art books. All of it is good fodder for creativity!
• Pieces: I released 21 new compositions, some on Redbubble, and others as part of shorter-term projects like my Northern Retreat work. It always feels good to declare a finished body of work.

Through some of my art-adjacent reading, from blogger and author Derek Sivers, I picked up the idea of a Now page, which I’ll work on keeping up to date. Online, I’m expanding my activity on Mastodon, my (currently) preferred social network. but I also appreciate the conversation and community on Instagram, for as long as it’s feasible. If you are also trying out new places, let me know where to find you.

And finally, I’m grateful for the new ideas that keep appearing, through all these connections. They’re piling up, and as soon as I can wrap up the year, I can get to them! Thank you for all the dots we connect online and together, and a happy New Year to you & yours.