The Ride

Amid the heavy emotions I'm feeling lately, there are also many lighthearted moments. Solo dancing for the security cameras in my gallery, enjoying wearing new spring clothes and high heels, trying new restaurants with Rico, being around the family's assorted cats and their funny ways.

Ups and downs, choices, and a big-ass learning curve on this ride called life.

Next up: three weeks in Italy - two of which will be with my mom, and one will be solo. I'll be doing lots of art and writing and dancing, exploring, eating and drinking the region's delights, and taking a welcome break from my regular routine.

I am very lucky.

Yes to This, No to That

This year I'm making some intentional shifts in where my yes's and no's are. Some of this feels terrifying, some of it feels like a relief, some feels like adventure waiting to unfold.

SAYING YES TO TRAVEL means saying NO to:

- a geographically fixed workspace

- a consistent open-to-the-public schedule at the gallery 

- being able to attend all of the local events that interest me

- other tempting ways of using my time and money

SAYING YES TO THE WORK I WANT TO MAKE means saying NO to:

- certain requests for custom work or repairs

- certain social activities because I need lots of time in the studio

- an easily defined image/style (which causes me stress because I like to be cohesive, and the work I want to make feels pretty random right now)

SAYING YES TO MY PHYSICAL HEALTH means saying NO to:

- eating too much sugar

- smoking too much weed

- weighing myself obsessively

SAYING YES TO MY EMOTIONAL HEALTH means saying NO to:

- behavior patterns that cause me pain

- toxic relationships

- the stigma of being in therapy

SAYING YES TO THE SPACE I NEED means saying NO to:

- a shared studio space

- employing an assistant

- a boundary-less existence with the family business

SAYING YES TO MY CREATIVE PRACTICE means saying NO to:

- having my phone in the studio

- the need to make "good" work

- fear of being vulnerable