Now that I’m halfway through 2024, I’m planning out the rest of my art goals for the year. And that’s gotten me reflecting on everything I did in 2023– what I accomplished & what I didn’t– so I can plan new cool things before the year ends.
2023 was a whirlwind for me. So much happened that my brain kind of imploded– some big losses in my family, lots of traveling and events– gosh, it felt like the year was over in the blink of an eye. But with all its challenges, I think 2023 had a lot of exciting art highlights for me, and I made a ton of new artwork.
Pancakes & Booze: Denver
The first big event I did in 2023 was the Denver Pancakes & Booze art show in the spring. I participated in a Pancakes & Booze art show in Seattle years ago, but hadn’t joined one since. It’s sort of a grittier underground show with loud music, free pancakes, and interesting people to meet. I applied, got approved, paid my fees, and then scrambled to paint some larger originals.
I focused on making a set of wildlife pieces, all in acrylic on wrapped canvas: A ram, a black bear, a wolf, a bison, and a great egret. I spent some time compiling my reference photos and making concept sketches for compositions. Then I pulled out my canvases, drew on my base sketches, and got busy.
I only had a couple of months to get them all painted, so it was a big task. I worked on each for hours at a time and would take breaks when my arm started fatiguing. I worked on the smaller pieces on my art desk, and the big ram (2’x3′) on my easel in the corner.
Work-In-Progress Images
I was also allowed to have a bin of prints and other small artwork for sale, so I decided to order my very first batch of vinyl stickers of some of my designs. I tried out a bunch of different print companies and was really happy with how they came out!
After months of prepping and painting, it was time for the show. Sadly, despite my best efforts of staying up until 2am the night before I had to leave for the event, I just couldn’t finish the wolf painting for the showing. Time had bested me! RIP wolf! :'( So I made a last-minute decision to replace it with a giraffe watercolor I’d already made instead. Poor wolf now lives in my closet, waiting for the day he’s finally completed. Someday my friend. Someday.
On the day of the art show, I was simultaneously severely sleep deprived and chock-full of excitement. Showed up to the venue, picked what I thought was gonna be a great corner spot, and put my pieces on my wall space. It was all looking great…
Until I showed up that night after the doors opened. My heart sank. For some reason the lights in that corner of the building weren’t working, and they never even put up a second corner light for my wall like all the others. My paintings looked so dark and shadowy. I felt like all my work was for nothing– the bottom ones were so shadowy you couldn’t even see the details.
I chased down someone who was working the event, and he was nice and found me a corner light so I could at least have 2. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a very bright bulb, and had a yellow-tinged light. Still, a small improvement, even if it was more yellow. Overall, it remained pretty shadowy the whole night because of the broken building lights. Despite my worries though, the night went pretty well. Even in the shadows, I somehow sold paintings, stickers, and even bin art! Met some cool people, saw some fun art, and got to shine my phone flashlight across my paintings for people when they stopped to view my spot. As they say, when life gives you lemons and all that… haha
Made Mini Process Vids
I’ve been historically pretty terrible at posting consistently on my social media accounts (oops), so I figured I’d try and start doing some art process reels on Instagram while I was working on the art for Pancakes & Booze. The few reels I posted this year were a pain to make, but were really fulfilling. They’re little snapshots in time of these big, slow projects, and I’m happy to have the visual reminder for myself of my efforts. My phone is filled with clips of me painting now, so I don’t really have a good excuse to not make more reels in 2024.
One of the Art Process Vids
View this post on Instagram
Participated in Pastels on 5th
Pastels on 5th is a live sidewalk art event in Loveland, CO in September benefitting the nonprofit, Alternatives to Violence (ATV). ATV offers services and support to people who have been impacted by DV, SA, and human trafficking.
Businesses pay to sponsor sidewalk squares and artists pay a small entry fee to participate (bag of swag and free breakfast and lunch included). The businesses either sign up with an artist in advance, or the event assigns an artist for them. I wasn’t paired with a sponsor when I applied and ended up getting paired up with Chick-fil-A by the event. They had one of the big squares, so I was extra nervous! I’ve only made a couple of pastel artworks in my life, and I’ve definitely never made a pastel artwork so huge– on a bumpy sidewalk no less.
The day was so hot. My husband was the ultimate hero– he hydrated me with endless water bottles, kept me cool with a wet neck towel, and was the ultimate art-process videographer. I was on the edge of getting a cold that day, too, so I felt like death the whole time. When it was finally over, I was incredibly sore and exhausted from squatting and lunging repeatedly for 5 hours straight. But I finished! And was so proud of how it came out. It rained the next day, so the painting didn’t last long, but it’ll always be a cool memory, and it helped raise money for a great charity.
The 2023 Pastels on 5th Art Process
View this post on Instagram
Some other random arts
I successfully launched some new “under the sea” ocean animal magnets– I exploded red paint all over my wall while making them, but people seemed to like them so it was worth it. haha
I designed and finished a new shirt I called “Deep Sea Nightmare Fuel” after a month of researching creepy deep-sea animals. Some of the shirt illustrations included a monstrous worm, a fish with demon teeth, and an angler fish with a parasitic boyfriend fused to her back. You know, all the standard creatures you average person knows and loves.
I also planned and set up a new custom mini watercolor pet portrait product. I was hopeful I’d get a surprise swing order that year for a non-dog/cat pet, but to no avail. I only got cute puppos and kitties. Someday I’ll get to paint someone’s bearded dragon, I know it.
Stuff I didn’t finish
When October rolled around, I participated in the Inktober challenge again. I certainly made more progress than some earlier years, but I only got 3 weeks through it. So close! At least I made some short videos showcasing the results for each week.
I also had new crocheted store items (keychains & pouches) and new landscape paintings that I just never got up in my online shop. I also have a hefty pile of half-complete projects that I never finished. They stare at me daily, pleading to be the center of attention again. haha
The Inktober 2023 Vids
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
What’s in store for the rest of 2024?
I have a list of half-done projects I’d like to finish. It’ll be a lot of work, but I don’t want them to sit around for another year. Can I do it? Will I at least finish a handful of these? I sure hope so! haha
- Luna moth paintings
- Crescent moon paintings
- Mini anatomical heart paintings
- Amethyst crystal painting
- Crocheted pineapple keychains
- Under the Sea animal magnets
- Woodland Animals on wooden rounds
- Neglected wolf painting
- More Halloween Stickers
- Funny Xmas sweaters
