First of all, thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Thank you for reading my newsletters, coming to my art and SoulCollage(r) workshops, and for buying my art. Because of you, I have had an amazing 2018. And because of you, I am able to fulfill my heart’s desire to make art and share my gifts with others through teaching.

How can it be year end already? I sit back and look at the 2018 as another chapter in a book that tells the story of who I am, and how I am creating myself. I invite you to think about the 2018 chapter in the book of your life. Better yet, I’d love to hear about your year and witness your dreams for 2019! Come and join me for one of the new year workshops I am offering in January (more info on “workshops” page of this website)

2018 has been full and fulfilling. My wonderful astrologer, Carol Ferris, told me in my last reading that I am in a full-sun cycle, and I felt that this year, in spades! I wanted to put into place every good idea I had…and I practically did! I felt the universe pulling me toward what I love and inviting me to step further in to my creative potential (see list of my top 10 below).

I am still working on my book of vision quest stories…loving it when the muse takes my hand and leads me, hating it when I get bogged down in minutiae because I can’t turn off the editor in my head. 😉 I thought I would sit down and easily have that book written in a year or so. Ha! It takes what it takes, and it’s taking more thought, time, and dedication that I ever imagined. At this point, the book is taking on its own agenda and leading me…exactly where I am not sure. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

Here are my Top 10 Highlights from 2018, may these inspire you to ponder what shaped your year.

1ST PLACE AWARD: I won a first-place award in the Artists in Action Something Red Show for Ancestor Spirits in My Garden. I was shocked and thrilled to receive this award out of 100 entries.

KINTSUGI: Blending my workshop, Kintsugi – The Beauty of Imperfection, with SoulCollage(r) brought deeper healing and forgiveness to participants in the September SoulCollage(r) gathering. And, the cards they made were extraordinary! I am offering a combination Kintsugi Bowl and SoulCollage(r) workshop in April of 2019 (see “workshops” page of this website).

KINDRED SPIRITS: 2018 was a year of welcoming more amazing women into my life, and inviting them to collaborate in Down to Earth workshop offerings in 2019. Left to right: Tammy Jamieson (Kintsugi workshop co-facilitator), Kathleen Paul (The Spiral Gaze workshop co-facilitator) and Larisa Noonan (Ancestral SoulCollage(r) workshop co-facilitator). Collaborating with other talented women feels like the next right step to spice up my studio offerings, plus I love working with and learning from them.

SITKA WORKSHOPS: I participated in three workshops at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the Oregon coast, two art and one writing. So much fun to totally emerse myself into the creative process!

PHOTO SHOOT: Need a boost for your self image? Try a professional photo shoot with Caren Ann Jackson! My first ever, and Caren Ann made it so much fun. Here is a link to her website.

BREITENBUSH RETREAT: The June 3-day Breitenbush Hot Springs SoulCollage(r) Retreat was, again, one of the highlights of the year. Crystal bowl sound healing from my dear friend, Ann Christensen, the sacred grounds of the old growth forests, and the open hearts of the participants make this retreat one of the things I’ll remember fondly on my death bed! It is life changing. (see description on “workshop” page of this website).

MY ART IN WE’MOON: I was honored that my art piece titled, Dark Spirits Roam Free, was featured in the 2019 We’Moon datebook. Here is a link if you want to order one of these amazing calendars with detailed astrological events.

CREATIVE EXPERIMENTATION: I managed to find some time to experiment with new art techniques including a hanging banner titled “Searching for My Tribe,” and a dimensional piece with raised images titled “Tribe of Wild Word Girls.”

TEACHING ART & SOULCOLLAGE(r) WORKSHOPS: Lucky me! I got to teach 22 SoulCollage(r) workshops, 10 art workshops and 2 Kintsugi bowls ceremonies during the 2018 year. Definitely in my full sun cycle and riding the wave!

FAMILY! I traveled to Maryland twice this year. My son, Bill, married Rachel, the love of his life (and one of the loves of mine, too!) in May of this year. Then I went back again in October to visit granddaughter, Meg, and great grandkids, Jack, Nora and Caroline. Plus, my weekly visits to Eugene to be with daughter Susie, her husband Nate, and grandkids Thea and Silas, made for a year of lots of kid time and grand-mothering.