thanksgiving shortcuts

hey there.

may i defer to two thanksgiving posts instead of writing one at this moment?

this, (read this one to find information about an AMAZING exhibit that the utah people need to see in the next TWO DAYS, as well as some left-handed drawings)

and

this. (read the end to find out about the best service i've had the opportunity go participate in for some time! and to find a lovely photographer's work!)

:)

oh -- to reward you for hanging around this blog, here's a picture of my adorable niece starting off her thanksgiving meal right.

hope your thanksgiving was wonderful!

who needs a throne of comfort anyway

first item of business: my show opening was a success. i was so grateful. eventually i will have pictures to share and stories to tell. and today is the last day that it will be up; i have to remove it tomorrow.

secondly, a poorly written but very sincere thought from about five minutes ago:

have you ever done something that took a lot out of you --a lot of emotionally vulnerability-- and to your hesitant relief, the results turned out just fine?

and so you went a little further along your path, treading lightly and playing it safe,
but then the smallest thing just pulls the rug out from under you?

and you feel like you toppled off of your great red cushy throne of comfort that you worked so desperately hard to climb up into. and now you're temporarily scared to do the tiniest of vulnerable things?

cuz that's how i'm feeling right now.
and i can't even put my finger on why, exactly.

it's not a big deal,
but i don't like the feeling.
it'll pass.
perhaps it is a temporary vulnerablilty hangover.

in the meantime, how do you get out of this?
suggestions?

sweat, blood, tears and my artist statement

i sent an email for a friend to edit my artist statement this morning. 

the subject line was the same as the title of this post and it started like this:

hi.  

my eyes are bloodshot and puffy.

my lips are chapped, and along with my knuckles, they are bleeding. 

i have some massive bruises from sleeping on the hard studio floor. my head has a continual dull pounding and my body is aching. 

i'm gonna look like i've been beat up at my show.
or beat up by my show. 

but i'm almost there.
and it's been worth it. 

so here is my artist statement...

steph took this  (pink hair for halloween!)

and blah blah blah.

it has been worth it. every bit of it.

my reception is in an hour and we'll see how everyone else likes it. i hope it resonates with people and i hope they can derive some sort of hope or comfort in the understanding that they aren't alone in dealing with hard things. i hope it brings unity? or determination?

i hope lots of things.
but all i can do is make sure i've done the best i can.

and i am really proud of it.
i know i could probably do better,
but i did the best i could.

so yes. i'm really proud of what i have.

and you can come see for yourself if you'd like. :) here is the post about it with details.