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I’m sitting here stunned that it is already June!! I always start revving up big projects + making plans in the Spring + year after year, without fail, I blink my eye + the blur of May begins. I had full intentions of having a new collection ready by the end of May but it has evaded me. There has been a flurry of activity around here that has been pulling me in lots of directions so I’ve been spread a bit thin. I’m excited to share with you some of the high points that I have assembled as an excuse for not having my new collection ready to debut! But, take heart, I will be announcing new work before you know it!
In February, I had my first showing with my partners at Straight To Art at The Schoolhouse in West Ashley. I debuted my Surrender series that evening + it was warmly received. I was overwhelmed at how many of you came out to to the newly renovated venue + showed such loving support of me + my work. What an amazingly successful evening shared with friends! Thank you!!!
Since then, I’ve attended about a bazillion youth basketball games + tournaments, joined friends at multiple Titus 2 Women’s Mentoring meetings + weekend retreat, had a studio photo shoot, recorded a short film + accompanying blog interview, completed several commissions, had a MRI to diagnose a tennis injury to my back + resulting PT appointments, traveled with my family out of the country, visited family out of state, went on 2 fly-fishing expeditions, saw a couple of concerts, celebrated Mother’s Day, participated in 2 other art shows + basically tried to keep my head above water!!! Whew! I knew it was a lot, but writing it down always makes things more clear + manageable for me. Soooooo, I’m already starting to feel better about missing my deadline!!
One of the more exciting things that has developed over the last couple of months is my new professional affiliation with Minted an online marketplace of independent artists + designers. Last November, I entered one of their design challenges + 2 of my submitted works were chosen as winners + 1 of them has already been offered for sale in their brand new Wall Murals collection. Each of them will soon be offered as Large Scale Reproductions in sizes up to 48″ x 70″ and in multiple colorways! How exciting, right??!! I honestly was shocked + humbled to be chosen out of the almost 6000 submissions! I also want to say “Thank You!” for all the amazing support + encouragement that each of you gave to me as this challenge unfolded; it made all the difference in the world! I am hopeful + excited to see what new opportunities this will bring! I will be sure to update you as soon as these products go “live” on my Artist Store on Minted’s website I’d love for you to take a sneak peek on the progress + become one of my “Fans” there!
In my family life, both of my boys closed out their school years with much anticipation + relief. Noah is excited to have graduated from elementary school this year + for the changes that will come as a middle-schooler. Nate showed incredible stamina + dedication, closing out his 7th grade year as an all A Honors student + I couldn’t be more proud of both of them! I never dreamed the amount of joy, worry, pride + honor that would come with raising two boys but I’m so grateful to be called their mom. Darrell + I vie for every opportunity to spend time with them while they are still willing, while each running our own businesses + squeezing in as much music + fishing as possible.
My personal spiritual journey has been profound to say the least. It has taken me to some of the highest highs + presented challenges for change. Any major transformation comes with both victory + adversity and I know that this just means He is working on me + for me! Sometimes our weakness, along with our strengths, need to be exposed so that we can grow, become fruitful + strengthen our resolve. I am willing to weather any storm for that soul-filling satisfaction that only He can provide.
xoxo, Michelle“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
-James 1:2-4
