It gets harder the longer you wait

Hey there fabulous readers!

Guess what? In September 2023, I kicked off this amazing newsletter adventure with one goal in mind: to send you a biweekly burst of creative inspiration for navigating the wild world of full-time jobs and still thriving artistically. Well, spoiler alert – I kinda went off the radar for a bit. 😅

Picture this: a week-long fiesta in Mexico City, a road trip to LA for a networking shindig, chasing fall leaves in Flagstaff, a shopping spree (whoops!), a Thanksgiving bash, and the grand finale – hosting the most epic Christmas karaoke party with my partner. Can you blame me for getting sidetracked?

As I kept telling myself, "Okay, gotta get back to this newsletter thing," life threw more adventures my way. Suddenly, I found myself drowning in excuses. "First vacation in ages," "Networking goldmine," "Too tired from driving..." Excuses became my new best friend, and before I knew it, I was hiding behind embarrassment, terrified to pick up where I left off. What would people think? Maybe I should just erase it all and pretend it never happened.

The time crunch excuses morphed into a fear of judgment, and imposter syndrome decided to join the party. Six years since my last gallery exhibition – and now I'm here preaching about creative thriving with a full-time job? Talk about a confidence killer!

But hey, every cloud has a silver lining. During this hiatus, I decided to prove my commitment to myself first. I carved out regular studio time, dove into art world news (yes, with a capital A), binged on videos from artists, curators, and teachers, and even reconnected with a college buddy at an art supply store (small world!). These past months have been a whirlwind of discovery – new artists, experimenting with different mediums, and crafting multiple drafts for my artist statement. Looking back, it feels pretty darn good!

Guess what? The newsletter is making a comeback! I craved a community of fellow hustlers – full-time job warriors, freelancers, and those juggling multiple part-time gigs while chasing creative dreams. Huge shoutout to those who stuck around this far. From now on, expect monthly newsletters packed with tips, tricks, and updates on my creative rollercoaster. Happy painting, my creative comrades!