State of the Artist - May 2020

Hello everyone!

I am just checking in with you all to give you a general life update as I've been sort of quiet here the last few weeks.

For those that don't know, at the end of April my soul sister/roommate/business partner Sandra had a hysterectomy, and has been healing well so far. My May has been spent helping her recuperate, running errands, doing household chores, maintaining my Etsy business, and venturing out on some mental health hikes in the neighborhood.

We live in a rural area just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are a ton of local trails here, and it has been really nice just taking the dogs out for walkies.

There are a ton of wildflowers out right now despite the fact that we haven't had much measurable moisture since March.

We have two dogs, Sandra's Akita named Zen, and my dog Zoey. She's a mixed mutt of we think border collie and pit bull. 

Sometimes I take both dogs with me, and sometimes I just take Zo. She's a really good trail dog since she listens really well.

I've also been out rock hounding with a friend. There is a really great site south of Albuquerque where you can find lots of petrified wood, jasper, agates, fossils, and other treasures.

Mostly, though, I am just staying home and avoiding people. I haven't gotten much art done because, like a lot of other artists, I am struggling with my mojo, and also because online business is booming and I have been focusing on creating new products, shipping out orders, advertising, and lots of customer service. It's all very exhausting, as is the state of the world right now. I find my energy over all is pretty low, so naps have been happening. Which this idiot highly approves of.

I am striving to get back into the creative swing of things, and right now that means focusing on commissions and getting more of those off of my plate. The going is slow, but I am making some progress.

Other than that, there are no plans right now save for more household projects (cleaning out that garage. UGH!). There are certainly no shows until Dragon Con on Labor Day, and we are half expecting that to be cancelled as well. We'll continue to stay safe at home and work at our online businesses, which are doing fantastic. This is a good time period to really test and see if we can keep afloat without shows. That way we can really pare down how many we do in the future.

I hope all of you are doing well and staying safe (and sane). 

Blessings!