I hung my show last night AND launched my new Stray Dog Arts website (thank you, Vinny!!!). Holy wonderful! It took a lot of late nights and last minute work, but let me just say that I slept sooooo good last night!Only thing is...I'm not quite finished yet because I still have 3 nearly-done paintings to complete. I tried, I really did. But then I got a great letter from Kristine reminding me that I am the curator of my own show and it should therefor be an experience of joy, not stress. This was just the wisdom I needed to help me keep a balance in my attempt to accomplish more than was humanely possible (thank you, Kristine!).
And so today...I will paint. I will drink coffee. I will take my wolfie and pup for an extra long walk. I will breathe deeply the gratitude I feel for having found this new direction in my life. I might even snuggle up in a blanket and read for awhile. I will paint some more, but then I will rest.
Late the other night I was standing in front of a canvas (up to my eyeballs in paint) when all of a sudden I stopped, took a step back, and for the first time noticed all the finished and nearly-finished canvases surrounding me. I was like: wow! Who did all this?! I mean, I did all of that? Between working, building websites, creating postcards, business cards, arranging future commissions, artist statements, advertising.... I told Fiona that, looking around my studio space, it felt like someone had stepped into my body and just took over. She emailed me back saying: "Actually, YOU stepped into your body and took over!"
And so I just want to say that it feels really, really, really good to be back in my body once again. It feels really good to be living from my very center. No matter how tired I am. No matter how much there is left to do. The only words that feel important right now are the ones that say: I feel good.
Thank you, friends, for being with me on this most adventurous journey. ;)
***
Here's another little photo for scale, of the same paintings above. Yes, that's me (in all my exhausted glory). Small photo because it turned out horribly blurry...but Maddie made a request and so here it is! :)-
18 comments:
JESSIE!!! (squeals & claps hands!)
your paintings are GORGEOUS! YOU are gorgeous!! this post brought tears to my eyes; i am so absolutely over-the-moon happy for you. i hope you soak in all of this goodness and know that you are so incredibly talented -- i can't wait to see what doors continue to open for you. i miss you something terrible!
~ruby
hooray!!! i love seeing your dreams come true!! xoxox the work looks unbelievably gorgeous. congratulations darlin!
What an absolutely joyful time for you! I am so very happy that you have reached this point. Your paintings are so beautiful, I can almost hear the dogs breathing...
Where was your show? Did you sell any paintings? Get any commissions?
thank you ruby and leah! i love you ladies!
and sharon, my show will be up at a coffee shop in minneapolis through the month of march (you can find details on my stray dog arts website blog). i just hung it last night and am hoping it will bring me lots of commissions. ;) happily, i already have a few ahead of me!
Those paintings are so beautiful they made me tear up :-). Very happy for you!
ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod...
I am crying tears on joy for you right now. SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!
You've put a huge smile on my face. You GO! Wow. The paintings look even more amazing on that wall. What a good colour for a backdrop. You're balancing going after your dreams with self-care. This is so good.
WOAH!!!!!
oh my goddess, dear jessie ....
how wonderful to see you with your dreams coming true.
the website is beautiful ... great job vinnie!
big love beams coming atcha from nj
I am soooooo proud of you!!!
You are a TRUE INSPIRATION!
I am blessed to call you my friend!
XOXO,
Melba
these paintings are phenomenal, jessie! you capture the energy and spirit of each wonderful dog. i am totally thoroughly impressed.
i just love seeing these paintings up on the wall.
your joy spills beyond yourself-right on top of my head!
:)
can i just tell you that i've come back here to your blog, just to look at these pictures and feel your joy about 9 times today?
i hope you're still glowing....
Too Exciting! Too Exciting! TOO EXCITING! How fabulous, Jessie! I love that picture of you by YOUR pictures!!
YOU did it.
Via inspiration, of course. But it was YOU!!
Congratulations on Being Brave and on following your heart---To The MAX!
With Love and celebration, O
It is so, so wonderful to see this. Your work is absolutely fantastic! I am even more excited at the prospect of having Trixie's portrait done by you! Hurray!
Absolutely, completely gorgeous! Completely compelling! Like you, your paintings just invite you in, making you feel like you want to get closer, know more.
Congratulations on stepping up and stepping in, being you and reaching for your dreams. You are amazing. I'm so proud of you!
Jessie, this is so exciting! I'm so proud of you and pleased to see you step out into the world with your talent.
Your website is great - I went over for a browse. Wish I had a doggie for you to paint. You really do get the eyes.
AMAZING JESSIE!!!!!! Congratulations
Your art is extraordinary!
I am so proud of you.
Yahooo!!! Congratulations on your show and your site. Your work is amazing!
Yay! When I read this my heart just swelled - I am so happy and so proud of you! Those paintings are enormous and so so beautiful and serene. All the wonderful but hard work is paying off and you so deserve it. And you're not getting carried away either, that is so humbling to hear you say you reprioritised. Well done you! Smooches your way - xxx
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