My 2022 Year in Review

My 2022 was full of new and exciting challenges. Here is a detailed report of the year:

January - Started off with a lot of time outdoors: hikes at Carolina Beach State Park and outings to places like Myrtle Beach and Wrightsville Beach. We attended the CAM Lantern Ceremony, many Halo Hoops basketball games, and a Monster Jam show in Greensboro, which was a highlight. We had a couple wintery slushy days toward the month, one of them yielded impressive ice-flowers. Outings included Ready-Set-Go for the kid's comedy show that month and had my oldest's debut on stage as well as a UNCW basketball home game with friends. The month ended with a bang when we adopted an 8 week old pound puppy, Rosie, on the 31st.

February - My husband and oldest son left town for a ski trip while the rest of us cuddled with the new puppy. We did a small update to our main bathroom, including removing the medicine cabinet and installing new lighting. We had family visiting for much of the later part of the month.

March - The kitchen photography session. I took a class at the Leland Cultural Arts Center with local watercolor legend Ronald Williams. I created a collection of 6" mini-paintings that I released called the "High Tide Collection". We enjoyed taking the boys to a couple of baseball games at UNCW. Go Hawks!

April - Kitchen featured in Wrightsville Beach Magazine as one of six highlighted "Kitchens that Cook". I completed 4 new pieces for a show with the newly established Wilmington Art Collective that opened at the end of the month. Enjoyed lots of family in town, hosted a couple fire pits in the back yard, and had lots of long walks on the beach. I also completed a couple of pet portraits this month, including one of a sweet bulldog. At the end of the month, the whole family enjoyed the Stunt Dog performance at Thalian Hall.

May - I delivered my first corporate order. A company in town gave out a framed 5"x7" print to each participant for a training seminar. I revamped my packaging and came out with a cute gift box. School got out before Memorial Day, so our family had a nice long summer full of outdoor adventures, beginning with a trip to Hilton Head Island.

June - Summer was a really busy time for me. I managed to complete a few house portraits and a few mini- paintings. Mostly I drove the kids around to their different camps, went to the pool and had swim team practices, took them for fun adventures, and enjoyed hosting parties at the beach.

July - We headed to the TN mountains for a trip to see family. We took the boys to a cave for the first time, swam in the chilly river, and did some hiking together. I took the month off from painting.

August - In early August I participated in the Landfall Art Show for the first time. I was one of the only artists there to showcase watercolor on canvas. I was thrilled when a large piece sold in addition to a few small works from my bin! The rest of the month was filled with back to school, a couple of concerts at Live Oak Pavillion, and the release of the Seaside Highs Collection. This was a collection of works on paper, all of which were re-dos of old paintings. It was fun to upcycle and experiment with fresh ideas.

September - In the fall, I began house portraits for folks who wanted theirs done in time for their annual Christmas card. If you have recently moved, it is a great way to showcase your new home. I began helping a local country club with some decorating, including ordering new wallpaper, lighting, and artwork. Our family found a couple more beach days to ride some fall waves. This month, my oldest began Fish Camp each Thursday afternoon, which turned out to be the highlight of his fall. Liv and Spencer competed in the annual kayak race at the CYC sound and one an award! We hosted family visiting from out of town at the end of the month, which was a great way to end the beach season. Somehow, I found a couple of weeks in there to paint ornaments for the holidays too!

October - I completed a painting for the Harrelson Center of their new logo sculpture on Market St. It was used for promotional materials and fundraising. It is so meaningful to me when non-profits reach out! We attended Riverfest, rejoined the Aquarium at Ft. Fisher, and hiked in Carolina Beach State Park. I installed my work at a local real estate office for a two month showing. We headed to UNC for a football game with friends including a trip to the Durham Life and Science Center, which the kids loved! The following week, I attended TWO field trips: one with my oldest in downtown for a historic walking tour and one with my youngest on a field trip to a farm where he loved petting the animals. I also enjoyed having one of my large watercolors displayed at Big Sky Design on their gallery wall. My calendar was printed and ready for packaging.

November- House portraits were in full swing for the holiday rush. I stocked up my stores with ornaments, calendars, note cards, and small paintings for the holidays. We took the kids to the Cape Fear Kite Festival for the nighttime showing--a very memorable night riding the skywheel. We also went to Myrtle Beach to see the horses ride on the beach as a part of the annual Heart Walk. When we got back to town, I took the kids to see a film crew filming a new movie in the neighborhood. For Thanksgiving, we drove up to NY to see my husband's family and celebrate the holiday with them. The kids saw some snow and Liv and I had a get-away in Lake Placid.

December- Mom and I visited TWO Southern Living homes in one month! First, we checked out the one in Airlie and then we traveled to Oriental to see the one in River Dunes. What a fun way to spend time together by doing something we both love. I released my Marsh + Sky collection in time for last-minute stocking stuffers. I hosted my annual Open House for friends, neighbors, and collectors to come shopping. Shortly after that, I took everything to Landfall for a one-day Holiday Market. Both were a success! I helped out at their schools with holiday events and during the holiday break from school, I took the kids bowling, ice skating for the first time, and hiking in Caroling Beach again. We ended the year back at the NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher and rang in the New Year in Myrtle Beach!

Phew! When I look back at everything I did this year it becomes apparent why I'm so tired! I hope that this review helped provide a glimpse into my world and what goes into making the art that I create. Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and art-filled 2023!