New Studio

Oh hello 

Friend, 
It has been far too long since I checked into this blog and wrote down my thoughts. 
Did you hear about my new studio? 
This space is kind of a dream come true. Let me tell you about it. 

After we made our decision to stop pursuing family building, I felt a new sense of space open up. I wanted to finally give my art business ideas room to grow and unfold. For so many years, my ideas, projects and art goals had been put on hold or downsized to fit into our lifestyle. The lifestyle that was perpetual fertility treatments, large payments, fluctuating schedules, and yo-yo emotions. It was liberating to shift the focus. 

For awhile, I had been dreaming of possibilities. I've got so many ideas; like hosting workshops, offering one on one sessions, owning my own studios, planning large exhibits, installations and so much more. 
My friend Misty, (fellow artist) had mentioned that her church was hoping to utilize some unused space, possibly for artists.  We chatted about ideas and life goals and I didn't think about it again. Then a few months later, she brought it up again, asking if I knew who she should direct the church leaders to... where they could begin with making contacts with artists.  I suggested the Emerging Artist Collective. Blair Clark, and the admins of EAC are always connecting artists to local information and I thought that would be a good place to start. 
Time passed, and I ended up becoming an EAC admin myself, along with a few other new admins. One day, Blair  let me know that St. Pauls had reached out to her. She was going to tour the space to offer feedback, and had invited Barbie Perry and myself along. At that point Barbie and I had also been dreaming up some ideas for Peoria. Well, the three of us (plus baby J Clark) toured the church and it's space. It was full of possibilities and really interesting. We all had a lot of questions and certainly could see the potential.
 

 Barbie continued the conversation with the church leaders, as she is a total powerhouse of amazingness, and she decided to move in. Before long, Jason (the maintenance man extraordinaire) was finishing her studio. I was feeling like I needed to seriously consider a move but I was hesitant, I had a perfectly lovely studio already.   
In the end, I decided that I could not pass up this opportunity. 
My new studio is spacious... it's so big and beautiful. My new studio has the best AC unit. My new studio is flooded with natural light from the wall of windows. My new studio is pet friendly, secure, clean, and affordable. I could go on and on... but here are a few photos. 

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All of my art supplies fit into this space. I absolutely love it. Barbie and I share a window wall that my brother Austin built.  Other artists are in and soon more will be coming. There is still work happening and things that need to be decided on by the group (like a name) but I am so thrilled to be a part of this. 
Thankful. Grateful. Beyond Excited.