How Melissa's Getting Her Groove Back

I can still do this!  (Followed by moderately energetic jumping up and down.) By "this" I mean, set up a photo shoot and produce something that I've seen only in my head. Photo shoots take a lot more energy than I ever realized. Thank you Amanda, Jennifer, Parker, and Emily for making the experience last weekend a breeze! 

This is the first piece to come from the chaos of the last year.

A Prisoner (To All My Mother Held So Dear)

Model: Emily

This Spring is time for a "come to Jesus" meeting with myself.  I have purposefully set it up so that I have no art show deadlines on the horizon. The cancer experience has lead me to ask some big questions and take a look at what I want from the rest of my life.  How can I get out of cruise mode into a more active, present existence?  Am I making work because it is meaningful to me?  How do I take better care of my physical self?

I have completed treatment.  Of course it will take some time to heal and get my energy back, but I'm finally seeing the potential for the rebirth of my physical and art self.  One of my nebulous goals is to get back in touch with my mediums.  Now is the time to break out the paint, paper, and wax and spend hours playing in the studio. While I'm getting stronger, there are new tools and old canvases to cover.  Also as a reward, I have signed up for 2 workshops. Nothing usually gets the juices flowing like a workshop - especially in an area where I have little or no experience.

It is time to see what work will come out of my studio when there are no deadlines involved.  Which projects will become important once the back burner list is fair game again?  

Love to you all!  XXXOOO