Reflecting
My 30th year of life
Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, I always try to quiet my mind and reflect on the past year. 2024 is no different—I have a lot to think back on.
It hit me how much I did this year when I recently updated my CV. At the end of 2023, I told myself that I needed a changeup and wanted to pursue more of a studio art practice instead of just focusing on graphic design and illustration– something I have been doing full-time since 2016. Graphic design started as a way for me to pay my bills but has blossomed into my whole business. I missed being in a studio and making a mess– after all, studio arts is what I went to college for.
Over the past eight years, I have painted and drawn on and off. I always thought of it more as a “hobby” and something that I did for myself when the workday was over. Plein air painting and quilting changed that.
On December 1st, 2023, Max and I went to Halcyon to grab a coffee and work. I finished what I needed to do and started to draw the coffee shop. Instead of drawing details I didn’t feel like fiddling around with, I threw in quilt stars, checkers, and other patterns. It made the place glow and I had created something I’d never done before and also something I had never seen before. It’s like I had spent the last few years prior developing my drawing skills, obsession with quilting patterns, and eye for design for this to happen.
I do believe in divine timing.
I spent most of my twenties thinking that graphic design was my lifelong career and that I better get used to it. I didn’t think I could make money doing studio arts– also something college taught me lmao. But boy was I wrong.
This year alone, I have done eight art shows (and possibly a ninth one in December), two of which were solo shows (and my first two ever), did my first art residency, taught my first two workshops, rented my first studio away from my house, did my first book reading, painted my first mural, and honestly another handful of things I didn’t think to put on my bingo card.
I never liked to use the term “self-taught” for myself because I am a product of my surroundings. I am built from my community and by those who have the same vision as me. This year, I broke out of my shy little hermit shell and jumped headfirst into new spaces. It has paid off immensely.
I cannot claim that all of my successes have been done by myself, for I am not an island. I have a million people and new friends to thank for it. And I hope I have made it clear that you all know who you are and how important you are to me. Even just reading this deserves a big thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Other, non sappy stuff!!
I still have a piece up at Hail Mary Social Club in Austin. Honestly, I don’t know when the show comes down, so check it out while you can.
And I will be at San Anto Zine Fest next Sunday, December 1st. It’s my favorite show of the year and I’ll have lots of copies of Heebie Jeebies, Queer As All Get Out, Terminal Punks, and Leaf Peepers. And some other goodies. BE THERE!!