Freshly Sharpened Pencil Season
Some seasonal updates from your left-handed friend
Summer 2023: Personally Wonderful, Professionally Slow
Summer was utterly rich! There was some teaching, some book clubs, some star-gazing, and none of my travels were written off as business expenses! Essentially, the Live-Laugh-Love ratio was utterly on par.
While I was rich in the important things this summer, I also took a professional L or two. Aka I certainly didn’t get rich. For example, I took a business risk and spent a silly sum of money to send framed works to (and back from) a gallery in London- and nothing was sold in the process. I feel like it’s pretty standard to invest in at least one professional folly each year, so I’m just taking it as a lesson to not mail work internationally unless I’m almost positive it will be purchased. Summer was also pretty creatively dry- I used most of my creative energy to teach, and I just focused on selling prints during the slow season. No qualms here- there’s a season for everything and I love a slow summer. But now…
She’s Revving up for Fall and She's Painting YOUR Home!
Custom House Portraits
That’s right, folks! I’m going back to my roots and I’m opening up custom house commissions this week. This is my way of making up for my Professional L’s and getting back on track so I can go back to painting deserts and dinners. This month only I'm taking these orders, so get yours in now! These make great gifts for loved ones. I’ve known of siblings to go in on these together for gifts for mom and dad! Boom. Easy!
Past Month’s Happenings
Wholesome Corporate Workshop
In mid-August I got to teach a painting workshop in Telfair Square for the team at ESP- a non-profit in Georgia that creates experiences for people with disabilities. These folks were delightful despite the heat. I’d love to do more workshops like this for teams in the future! Let me know if you want to pay me to force your coworkers to paint :)
Dreamhouse Turned 2!
On September 1st we celebrated 2 Years of Dreamhouse Studios- the studio that I started with my friends from college! We host workshops almost every weeknight, sell our works downstairs at Starland Strange, and have grown from 4 founding artists to 9 total resident artists!
Time to go West Again!
This year’s solo desert trip will be in Placitas, New Mexico! In mid September I’ll spend a week dog sitting an elderly golden retriever and working on a new series of western landscape paintings. I try to go out west by myself once a year to creatively and spiritually reset, and this trip couldn’t be more timely.
Saturday Catch up at Cleo
You’re invited to an artist’s talk featuring yours truly at Cleo the Gallery in Savannah on Sept 16th! Come hear about what I’ve been working on and pick my brain about my creative process. Refreshments included.
What’s on My Desk Today?
Thanks for asking! I’m typing this from my house and my small kitten, Pepper, won’t stop stepping on my keyboard.
What’s for Sale Today?
Thanks for asking! Here are some things for sale.
Society6 Item of the Week
Remember my neglected Society6 shop? I didn’t either. I just got an email that I made $1.99 off of Society6 sales last month. It’s my own fault. This little online shop is never on my mind and it shows. But the beach towels are the best in the word! I’m serious! Also this laptop case went from $50 to $15???? But really, I might sleep on S6, but they do have great gifts. I even have some state stuff on there too, for you gifting mommies out there.
Etsy Print of the Week
My Etsy shop is always thankfully popping. Check out these little doodle still life prints that I forget about but really love so much!
What’s Inspiring Me Right Now?
Thanks for asking! Recently when I’ve been at a loss creatively I just pick up a coffee table book and sketch the pretty pictures. This one shown above is from a book on Southern France.
Thanks for reading along, friends! Can’t wait to debrief after the desert. Please keep being you.
Much love,
Allison