Happy October!

It's finally here! October! I've been waiting a whole year for it to arrive again. We're still getting some warm temps here in the south and I hope that stops soon. And there is that pesky Matthew hanging out in the ocean. Let's hope he doesn't make landfall. Matthew the hurricane.

Aren't these pretty? I took this pic outside Trader Joe's. I'm going to have to get some of the smaller decorative gourds. Sketch them or paint them. I am so excited about this time of year. The adventure is in full swing. This is going to be a busy month for filling up those sketchbooks, Halloween things, dolls, paintings, another challenge, and some stitch work. I will have to do more walking too. Crunch some leaves. Scare some chipmunks.

Anniversary

Yes, it's my anniversary. Yesterday was the day I left Michigan for North Carolina ten years ago. I can't believe it's been that long. I thought I would be upset but I wasn't. I learned a lot, met some really nice people, and did some really cool things.

• Participated in many art & craft shows
• Had my work in several shops and galleries
• Was part of a three woman show in the Delta Arts Center
• Was interviewed on the local radio for that exhibit
• Showed up in a couple of local papers for my artwork
• Visited two National Forests, a waterfall, and other scenic areas
• Made it to the coast and the mountains
• I started writing a lot and made the goal with National Write a Novel in a Month, several years

And other things. I don't know exactly what the next ten years will hold. I don't know if I'll be in the same spot. But I am hopeful. I am ready for another part of the play. I have new ideas for artwork, which I will finally own. So many have told me how much they like my work, many have bought some but I just didn't see it. Now I do. I will own my creativity, my talents and be the crazy art lady. I will be prolific. And I'm ready. Many demons have been slain. 

Let's do this!

Six Years!

Six years ago this month, I moved from Michigan to North Carolina. My life had been in a holding pattern and it didn't look like it was going to get any better. For several years there was a massive migration of Michiganians to other places. I knew I wanted to get back to my artwork and I knew that it wouldn't happen in my home state. So I packed up my truck and headed south. That year, 51,000 people left the state.

I knew one person when I got to North Carolina. My friend Jon had been bugging me to come visit him. We met in Japan. I decided not to just visit but to move. He helped me get a place and my new adventure began. I had to learn my way around. I started hanging out in the Arts District, meeting people so they would remember me for any job that may come up. Finding places to show my work or sell it. Whatever free even I could find, I went to. I was a little afraid but very hopeful.

The first friend I made was Marta. She also moved to NC from Arkansas that same year. We met at a writer's meeting. My second friend I made was Maya, who saw something in me that I hadn't yet seen in myself. They are still my friends. I have made a few more friends and many more acquaintances. I've learned new things and a lot more things about myself. That I am brave, determined, resilient, bold, talented. I can say that I've worked my butt off in the past six years. I've done doll shows, made dolls for an independent film, have my dolls in several shops and galleries, and almost have my kid's book edited.

I have traveled a bit of the state. I've been to the coast, the foothills, and the mountains. I've even been to my first National Park. There are many more places to visit, like Asheville.

The foundation has been laid. I'm so proud of myself. All my hard work is paying off and I'm ready for the next part of my creative journey. I do hope you hang around to see what happens next in my world.

Seaside Wandi Gals

Meet Marina and Oceana, two Wandi Gals heading for the sea shore.  They will probably stay on the boardwalk, watching others enjoy freezing surfs.  They'll probably have way too many corn dogs, popcorn, and sno cones.  But I'm sure they'll have fun.

Marina has a cute face and she's just happy to be on the coast.  She's hoping for a nice long holiday without rain or snow.

Here's the back of her sailor collar along with a string for hanging on the wall.  Oceana has one too.

Oceana is eyeing ice cream and elephant ears.  She's not too particular about diving into the waters.

Their arms, bodies and skirts are out of a stripe cream cotton.  I also have a darker version that I'll probably make too.  I had fun doing this pair and I'm glad my art rep came quickly to pick them up because I probably would've kept them. 

They really are on their way to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.  Hopefully they'll find a happy home.  Now on to that list.

Emerald Isle

After dinner in Beaufort, Maya and I headed to Emerald Isle to look for a spot to see the sunset on my birthday. This was the entrance to the beach. The sand was very fine and still warm.
The sky was beautiful as the day was ending.
The sun begins to set on what was a very exciting day.
I just love the surf. The sound of it, how peaceful it is. I also stuck my feet in again. Couldn't be there without that happening. We watched the tide come in. How wonderful and amazing an event.
The sun finally says goodbye. I enjoyed my trip to the coast. I'm hoping the first of many more.

Cape Lookout

This is looking towards the back of the ferry boat. Oh the spray of the sea on my face was great. It was a fun ride even though when we hit a wave wrong, I almost flew off my seat.
Cape Lookout was magnificent to see. I love lighthouses. I think in a past life I was a lighthouse keeper. I know I was a seafarer. This is my first North Carolina lighthouse.
The black diamonds I believe tell the north/south direction and the white diamonds go east/west.

Some wild flowers. Another painting.
And some dunes. I really like the coast of North Carolina. What a cool state. I can't wait to find the other lighthouses.

Fort Macon, North Carolina

Here are pics of Fort Macon in the Inner Banks of North Carolina. I like forts because of the history within the walls. Not all of it good but it's a part of what has made this country.
The edges of the top of the fort were rounded to prevent grappling hooks from taking hold.
I have a thing for canons and fire power.

One of the inner chambers of the fort used for storage or sleeping quarters.

Canon balls.

Atlantic Beach on My Birthday

One of the better pictures I've ever taken. I don't do well on the lens side of the camera. But I was happy that day. I finally made it to the coast of North Carolina. I think the happiness shows.
I got my feet wet!