Raising a Glass, charcoal & conte sketch on paper

On the tenth day of Christmas sketches…

14 women, several bottles of wine and a fancy karaoke machine…recipe for one funny staff Christmas party.

While at parties, I may be more of a wallflower, there was no end to the amusement of watching my staff members sing their hearts out to Trisha Yearwood and Aerosmith. My cheeks are still sore from laughing so hard.

Years ago, after my family and I  moved back to Birmingham from Atlanta, we took some risks. After attending seminary and working as a children’s minister for 5 years, I took a chance by stepping out of those roles and into a poor economy to begin my career as an artist. I worked some odd jobs…teaching preschool a few days a week, teaching art classes, cleaning houses…to piece things together while I built my art reputation from the ground up. It definitely wasn’t easy, and I missed having a community of friends.

But I was making choices, with the support of my family, to do what I love.

I absolutely love my jobs. I couldn’t be happier.  Working with a group of teachers so smart, fun and special; getting to know all our preschoolers and their families at our sweet little school…while at the same time maintaining an active art career, connecting with artists and my close group of “art friends.”

As we kept shouting to one of our more “enthusiastic” karaoke singers last night, I am “living the dream!!!!”

“Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time.”
-Picasso

Cheers to loving what you do, and to great friends, who add so much joy to my life!

10 Lords-a-Leaping