2017 year in review

Came into work on this holiday weekend (tomorrow is Sunday, New Years Eve) and realized I better hustle and write this out, so it appears where it's supposed to - Dec 2017. 

I seem to have a different relationship to the blog now.  It's more obligatory -- not as exciting to keep up.  I wish I could change that mindset!  I wish I could change a lot of mindsets work wise!  More about that down the line I expect.

Always hard to write about the WHOLE year in late December.  So much happened, but it all gets condensed into my head as good or bad.  I'm inclined to say bad, but that's not really true.  Anyway, lets go through it:

Started on good footing after a great Dec 2016, but I fell into familiar patterns of malaise.  Not so creative, and not pushing hard enough through spring.  SUPER MEGA distracted by all the news of T#### and all the craziness.  We did a lot of protest marches, and that felt great.

Had this weird bright idea to do the mini dollhouse gallery.  Got so excited with all my plans, then Hallmark came calling and I dropped it all!  Got a super project of 12 cards form them.  All came out great, and I spent tons of time drawing and perfecting them.  SOOOOOOOO happy to be working with them again.

Remi started coming to the studio full time.  Super slow and old, and turned 15 In May!  What an amazing dog.  it was really hard seeing her age.  I would carry her in and out and up and down.  Months later it's all a blur, all the stuff we needed to do to keep her up and running.  I just remember slow trips everywhere - getting her to the car, up the Radius ramp, and all the headaches with Street cleaning parking restrictions in the summer. 

That last weekend with her was torture, waiting for Monday late afternoon to arrive when we took her to the vet in Potomac.  Excruciating.  But it was time - she was so weak, and it was the right thing to do.  I feel at peace about it.  I never thought I could do it, but then we just did.

Getting Emma was so easy and perfect, and I still can't believe how it all worked out.  I never knew what hex would feel about it all until it happened, and I just was so happy when we got her.  Such an enormous change for us, but a great change.  I LOVE having her and seeing her grow up.

Fall was typical with all the shows and things speeding up.  Of course I wasn't prepared like I needed to be.  Art on the Ave was good, but could be so much better.  It's sort of the theme for everything.  Last minute prep works, but isn't great.

November flew by, and then December.  Had all these plans, but kept getting behind with no time to recover.  In the end I did well - with a last minute reprint sale that worked out great.  So here I am again, looking forward to a new beginning and a fresh start!

Random:

Artomatic Crystal City - liked my location and the building, but it was a great show.  I don't really know why!  My shifts were so painfully long and boring.  I remember sitting on the hard couch hiding with my phone and stealing candy from the other display.  I guess it's just and old show.  There is no longer the same exciting energy.  It's all aged.

MCA - had higher hopes for a revival but it all disappointed.  Website frustration and terrible Open studios attendance.  Giving up on it.  Did a lot of Instagram work over the summer, but to no real avail.

Studio - last year of my lease coming up in MAY!  Hope and pray I can stay.  I cannot believe it's been 3 years already.  Space on 14th is finally getting renovated.  Miss my sign there.  A big loss business wise.

No Dolcezza this year.  Ross out, so I need to figure out.  Same with Buzz.  Practically no sales form Ballston.  Cards selling well still

Sidewalk sales -- Dog Days good, and online print sales, but all need new energy!  Shirts were a mixed bag (again).  Glad to have them again - with new paper, new shirts and the press.  But they still frustrate me!  The sizing of the shirts, the fit. And the limitations of the paper.  Love the better quality, but not how I lost the "ghosting"  Ahhhh - anyway.  More to figure out going forward.

PLUS ccnow.  Ugh.  Had big plans to switch, but all fizzled.  The alternatives just are not easy or great.  Nothing is obvious.  But in 2018 I have to make the change.  CCnow is just too limited anymore.

Ok - I'm rambling.  Best to close there: muddled.  Lots to do and figure out going forward.  Here's to a GREAT 2018.  Goodbye to you 2017.  Happy to have made it through you.

2016 Wrap up

2015 Wrap up

2014 Wrap up

2013 Wrap up

2012 Wrap up

2011 Wrap up

2010 Wrap up

2009 Wrap up