Ending 2017 on a High Note

I'm going to make everything around me beautiful - that will be my life. 
                                                     -Elise DeWolfe

2017 ended on a high note. "Simpler Times" was juried into Big Fun Art at the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Dowell, Maryland. The exhibit will be in the Kay Daugherty Gallery from February 16 - September 23. The idea behind the exhibit was to bring joy in these often troubling times. I love being a part of something that will hopefully make people happy. Truly wish I could be there to see it. 

"Simpler Times" was created to remember the summer I played Jacks with my best friend. The summer was not just about competition but finding the perfect spot to play. We declared the "tournament" a tie and planned a rematch the following summer. However, she moved at the end of the summer so a rematch never happened. And while she only moved three blocks away, her step father ended our friendship. It was the first time in my life that I was called "white trash." "My step father says that I cannot play with you anymore because you are white trash." I was ten at the time and had no idea what that meant.  I simply grieved. 

"Simpler Times" was created to turn a bad memory into a good one. It was to see if creating it could also help me heal. Whenever I decide to embrace a major change, I am forced to evaluate my thoughts and beliefs. The older I get the more I realize I need to pay attention to what is happening with my thoughts. So one of my goals for 2018 is to eliminate the unnecessary and I think my art is going to help me achieve that goal. 2018 is going to be an awesome year!