My beautiful 80-year-old momma. I could not get through this life without her love and support.
These three words became very real to me
“You have cancer.” Unfortunately, upon hearing these words, I have been forced to live my life to the fullest and to “do it now.” We live such a short time on this earth, regardless of what health conditions we may have. I am trying to soak up every moment!
I happily reconnected with my high school sweetheart from 30 years ago and we live out in the country. I have always been a “city girl” with limited building skills, but to my benefit, he is a highly skilled craftsman.
I remember telling him when we were first dating ten years ago that I really would like to have a “she-shed” of my own as a studio. Much to my delight, he began construction on what I thought was to be a modest she-shed and it turned out to be a gorgeous 400 square foot building, which I have named “P”eal & “T”ink Studios. Without ever giving birth to a daughter, at 54 years old, I now have my own feminine play house and love to incorporate all things pink and teal.
I think it is so important for anyone who loves to create to find a space of their own.
Does it need to be 400 square feet? Absolutely NOT!! For years up until the time of the shed’s completion, my creative space was an 8’ X 8’ table in our living room. There realistically was not much room inside a home that is only 950 square feet. Why do I even mention that? This is why: I DO NOT NEED THIS STUDIO to fuel my passion.
I am blessed beyond measure; however, life is not about material items. Life is about what we do with what we have been given. Life is about connecting with people, not things. People like my dear friend, Autumn Pace, without whom the assembly of my studio could not have taken place.
I am thankful that I was able to purchase my art supplies while I was working full time in the hospitality industry. I love people and I love art supplies! Thankfully, despite the fatigue that comes with cancer, I was able to be fully stocked (and beyond)for when I took an early retirement at the age of 52.
WISE WORDS
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the
things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
— Paulo Coelho
MY THREE FAVORITE ARTISTS
are Amanda Evanston, Tamara LaPorte, and Jane Davenport. The common thread with all three is their love of color and the passion that goes into their work. I hope my passion is as evident in my own work.
To create in this beautiful space now is my only desire. I used to think small and I would never entertain the thought of calling myself an artist. I chuckle because to call myself an “artist” used to mean to me that I needed to be “good at what I created.” I no longer put that pressure on myself. I wholeheartedly believe no one else should either! My perfectionism gets in the way at times; however, God created us all with different gifts and I believe we should never take those gifts for granted. We should all stop the comparison game and enjoy that which we love to do!
I’m often asked what type of art I do. This always brings about my natural instinct to say, “Oh, I just play.” Isn’t that what we all should be doing? As grown adults we put so much pressure on ourselves to have a “title.” So if any title HAS to be given, I would say that I am a Mixed Media Artist. I love to create with all forms of art mediums and most times just create a hot mess. You know what? If others lived a more authentic life, we could all relate to being a hot mess–and that is a good thing.
I choose for my mindset to be hopeful and positive!
I encourage everyone to never stop dreaming. Never stop believing in yourself. If you only have a tiny table, put it up and use it or pile it high with things that make you happy. Again, don’t play the comparison game. Don’t play the “if-only” game. Use what you have when you have it! Life is too short. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come! What are you going to do TODAY that makes a difference? Life is all about the choices we make and the mindset we have for each day.
My doctors tell me that I am lucky that treatment for my cancer has not started yet. However, I consider it a blessing and a curse. How can I have blood cancer and be told we will “watch and wait” before treatment can begin? So many questions and a lot of frustration! Now after five years of “watch and wait,” I have been told that this year or next I will begin treatment–but there is no cure. There is only hope for remission, and I will do everything I can to achieve that.
I want to grow old. I want to be a grandma. But right now the only thing that I have control over is what I do with each day that I have been given. The past is in the past and I have no control over what will happen tomorrow. So, I will CHOOSE to have and show gratitude for this day. I will CHOOSE to love others. I will CHOOSE to live passionately. I will CHOOSE to create to my heart’s content in a beautiful space that I could have never imagined or hoped for. We all have choices in this life and I encourage everyone to CHOOSE gratitude for what you have been given.
My beautiful 80-year-old momma. I could not get through this life without her love and support.
These three words became very real to me
“You have cancer.” Unfortunately, upon hearing these words, I have been forced to live my life to the fullest and to “do it now.” We live such a short time on this earth, regardless of what health conditions we may have. I am trying to soak up every moment!
I happily reconnected with my high school sweetheart from 30 years ago and we live out in the country. I have always been a “city girl” with limited building skills, but to my benefit, he is a highly skilled craftsman.
I remember telling him when we were first dating ten years ago that I really would like to have a “she-shed” of my own as a studio. Much to my delight, he began construction on what I thought was to be a modest she-shed and it turned out to be a gorgeous 400 square foot building, which I have named “P”eal & “T”ink Studios. Without ever giving birth to a daughter, at 54 years old, I now have my own feminine play house and love to incorporate all things pink and teal.
I think it is so important for anyone who loves to create to find a space of their own.
Does it need to be 400 square feet? Absolutely NOT!! For years up until the time of the shed’s completion, my creative space was an 8’ X 8’ table in our living room. There realistically was not much room inside a home that is only 950 square feet. Why do I even mention that? This is why: I DO NOT NEED THIS STUDIO to fuel my passion.
I am blessed beyond measure; however, life is not about material items. Life is about what we do with what we have been given. Life is about connecting with people, not things. People like my dear friend, Autumn Pace, without whom the assembly of my studio could not have taken place.
I am thankful that I was able to purchase my art supplies while I was working full time in the hospitality industry. I love people and I love art supplies! Thankfully, despite the fatigue that comes with cancer, I was able to be fully stocked (and beyond)for when I took an early retirement at the age of 52.
WISE WORDS
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the
things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
— Paulo Coelho
MY THREE FAVORITE ARTISTS
are Amanda Evanston, Tamara LaPorte, and Jane Davenport. The common thread with all three is their love of color and the passion that goes into their work. I hope my passion is as evident in my own work.
To create in this beautiful space now is my only desire. I used to think small and I would never entertain the thought of calling myself an artist. I chuckle because to call myself an “artist” used to mean to me that I needed to be “good at what I created.” I no longer put that pressure on myself. I wholeheartedly believe no one else should either! My perfectionism gets in the way at times; however, God created us all with different gifts and I believe we should never take those gifts for granted. We should all stop the comparison game and enjoy that which we love to do!
I’m often asked what type of art I do. This always brings about my natural instinct to say, “Oh, I just play.” Isn’t that what we all should be doing? As grown adults we put so much pressure on ourselves to have a “title.” So if any title HAS to be given, I would say that I am a Mixed Media Artist. I love to create with all forms of art mediums and most times just create a hot mess. You know what? If others lived a more authentic life, we could all relate to being a hot mess–and that is a good thing.
I choose for my mindset to be hopeful and positive!
I encourage everyone to never stop dreaming. Never stop believing in yourself. If you only have a tiny table, put it up and use it or pile it high with things that make you happy. Again, don’t play the comparison game. Don’t play the “if-only” game. Use what you have when you have it! Life is too short. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come! What are you going to do TODAY that makes a difference? Life is all about the choices we make and the mindset we have for each day.
My doctors tell me that I am lucky that treatment for my cancer has not started yet. However, I consider it a blessing and a curse. How can I have blood cancer and be told we will “watch and wait” before treatment can begin? So many questions and a lot of frustration! Now after five years of “watch and wait,” I have been told that this year or next I will begin treatment–but there is no cure. There is only hope for remission, and I will do everything I can to achieve that.
I want to grow old. I want to be a grandma. But right now the only thing that I have control over is what I do with each day that I have been given. The past is in the past and I have no control over what will happen tomorrow. So, I will CHOOSE to have and show gratitude for this day. I will CHOOSE to love others. I will CHOOSE to live passionately. I will CHOOSE to create to my heart’s content in a beautiful space that I could have never imagined or hoped for. We all have choices in this life and I encourage everyone to CHOOSE gratitude for what you have been given.
Related Stories
My beautiful 80-year-old momma. I could not get through this life without her love and support.
These three words became very real to me
“You have cancer.” Unfortunately, upon hearing these words, I have been forced to live my life to the fullest and to “do it now.” We live such a short time on this earth, regardless of what health conditions we may have. I am trying to soak up every moment!
I happily reconnected with my high school sweetheart from 30 years ago and we live out in the country. I have always been a “city girl” with limited building skills, but to my benefit, he is a highly skilled craftsman.
I remember telling him when we were first dating ten years ago that I really would like to have a “she-shed” of my own as a studio. Much to my delight, he began construction on what I thought was to be a modest she-shed and it turned out to be a gorgeous 400 square foot building, which I have named “P”eal & “T”ink Studios. Without ever giving birth to a daughter, at 54 years old, I now have my own feminine play house and love to incorporate all things pink and teal.
I think it is so important for anyone who loves to create to find a space of their own.
Does it need to be 400 square feet? Absolutely NOT!! For years up until the time of the shed’s completion, my creative space was an 8’ X 8’ table in our living room. There realistically was not much room inside a home that is only 950 square feet. Why do I even mention that? This is why: I DO NOT NEED THIS STUDIO to fuel my passion.
I am blessed beyond measure; however, life is not about material items. Life is about what we do with what we have been given. Life is about connecting with people, not things. People like my dear friend, Autumn Pace, without whom the assembly of my studio could not have taken place.
I am thankful that I was able to purchase my art supplies while I was working full time in the hospitality industry. I love people and I love art supplies! Thankfully, despite the fatigue that comes with cancer, I was able to be fully stocked (and beyond)for when I took an early retirement at the age of 52.
WISE WORDS
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the
things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”
— Paulo Coelho
MY THREE FAVORITE ARTISTS
are Amanda Evanston, Tamara LaPorte, and Jane Davenport. The common thread with all three is their love of color and the passion that goes into their work. I hope my passion is as evident in my own work.
To create in this beautiful space now is my only desire. I used to think small and I would never entertain the thought of calling myself an artist. I chuckle because to call myself an “artist” used to mean to me that I needed to be “good at what I created.” I no longer put that pressure on myself. I wholeheartedly believe no one else should either! My perfectionism gets in the way at times; however, God created us all with different gifts and I believe we should never take those gifts for granted. We should all stop the comparison game and enjoy that which we love to do!
I’m often asked what type of art I do. This always brings about my natural instinct to say, “Oh, I just play.” Isn’t that what we all should be doing? As grown adults we put so much pressure on ourselves to have a “title.” So if any title HAS to be given, I would say that I am a Mixed Media Artist. I love to create with all forms of art mediums and most times just create a hot mess. You know what? If others lived a more authentic life, we could all relate to being a hot mess–and that is a good thing.
I choose for my mindset to be hopeful and positive!
I encourage everyone to never stop dreaming. Never stop believing in yourself. If you only have a tiny table, put it up and use it or pile it high with things that make you happy. Again, don’t play the comparison game. Don’t play the “if-only” game. Use what you have when you have it! Life is too short. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come! What are you going to do TODAY that makes a difference? Life is all about the choices we make and the mindset we have for each day.
My doctors tell me that I am lucky that treatment for my cancer has not started yet. However, I consider it a blessing and a curse. How can I have blood cancer and be told we will “watch and wait” before treatment can begin? So many questions and a lot of frustration! Now after five years of “watch and wait,” I have been told that this year or next I will begin treatment–but there is no cure. There is only hope for remission, and I will do everything I can to achieve that.
I want to grow old. I want to be a grandma. But right now the only thing that I have control over is what I do with each day that I have been given. The past is in the past and I have no control over what will happen tomorrow. So, I will CHOOSE to have and show gratitude for this day. I will CHOOSE to love others. I will CHOOSE to live passionately. I will CHOOSE to create to my heart’s content in a beautiful space that I could have never imagined or hoped for. We all have choices in this life and I encourage everyone to CHOOSE gratitude for what you have been given.
The Women Create Foundation is a catalyst for small but significant strides to empower women creators through grants that help bring projects to life and foster innovation.
