Redecorating and some recent Art

It’s been a while since my last post and I’ve changed things up a bit around here. Since I decided to not take new clients this year, I realized I really don’t have to provide a portfolio of my marketing services, and decided instead to focus on sharing my art. I’m going to try to get a little better at uploading new work, but here are a few pieces that I’ve worked on lately.

I started a new sketchbook in January with a quick trip to the South Coast Botanic Garden, practically in my backyard, to sketch some of the blooming succulents. I’ve decided that even if I’m not happy with the finished product, I’m after progress not perfection, and everything counts as progress and practice.

My friend Anne, who I met last year when I took a watercolor basics class at Art Supply Warehouse and has a watercolor retreat business, Eat Paint Live, has occasional get-togethers locally. We met at Bolsa Chica Wetlands a couple of weeks ago and of course I had to paint the bridge.

I was back at the South Coast Botanic Garden last month (the 3rd Tuesday is free, but I’m thinking I’m just going to join already!) and never realized they have a very sweet, small Japanese Koi Pond & Garden just to the right of the entrance. It was so peaceful here and I know I’ll be back to sketch this spot again.

I was meeting my friend Sabine for dinner in Long Beach a couple of weeks ago and always use this as an opportunity to find a cool place to sketch. The weekend before, Scott & I were driving to meet a friend for dinner and drove past Island White off Ocean Boulevard and I tucked it away for later sketching. We were in the middle of some really wild weather and it was so cold, with a blowing wind. I didn’t last long outside, but at least it was clear and beautiful!

Picking up the brush again

Here’s something a lot of people don’t know about me - I’m pretty artistic. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, artistic people know they’re artistic, and most creative people have some kind of artistic outlet. I have this ray of electricity that runs through me, a professional would call it anxiety, and we can call it that too. I’ve learned many coping mechanisms over the years, but recently I’ve started drawing again and that has been magic in quieting my mind and that electric stream that I can’t control.

Here are a few pieces I’ve worked on lately and I’ve started a Gallery here.

Refugio Ranch Vineyard Tasting Room, Los Olivos, CA

Palos Verdes Peninsula from Torrance Beach, CA

Lake Como, from an image on Instagram

Architectural Detail Zoom class by Mayad Allos

Hello 2019!

Well, I started this post on January 3, 2019, and here it is, the beginning of March! The year has gotten off to a busy start, and I couldn’t be happier about that - ok, a little crazed, but busy is good for me!

2018 was quite the year. On the life update front, meet Skye! We adopted her on December 1, 2018 through Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. She is AN ANGEL.

As previously mentioned, we lost our dear Gracie in late September, and within a week I was stalking the SCGRR site. I couldn’t believe what an impact her absence had on me, both emotionally and physically. To say I was lost without her companionship is an understatement. It was hard coming to the realization that we needed another dog. There are so many feelings at play: is it too soon? Does this mean I’m over Gracie? What would Gracie even think? In the end, we decided that adopting another dog is ok. It’s good. And Gracie would be happy for us. The way we saw it, we were honoring Gracie’s memory by helping another dog who so desperately needed a home and love.

Skye has fit seamlessly into our family from the moment we brought her home. The same day we picked her up, we took her to her first brewery, and she was a champ. She is extremely mellow, has a little naughty side and is a complete goofball. She doesn’t appear to be a purebred Golden Retriever, possibly a little Labrador in there, but we’re ok with that. We had a Labrador years ago, Candy, who was the best. dog. ever. and Skye does remind me a little of her. In any case, my son gave me a Wisdom Panel test kit for my birthday and we are anxiously awaiting the results. Of course, THEY DON’T MATTER.

On the business front, I’m working with clients that I really like and that has made such a difference for me. I had a client that I had to stop working with last year, and this is the joy of freelancing - working for people that truly appreciate you and your efforts, and cutting loose the rest.

I’m trying to post more often on Instagram, and trying to incorporate more social media tips in those posts. I’m at the point where I can’t really take on any more business, and am considering adding social media coaching to my services for those that want to stay involved in their content creation and have some direction from a pro.

I’ll try to not let so much time pass by in the future - Happy Belated New Year!

Life Update

Oops, it’s been awhile. What happened to Carrie?! Since the beginning of August I added two new clients, did a couple of website redesigns, traveled to Scotland, and lost my dog.

Ok. Back up.

So, work wise, I’ve been super busy and it’s been great. I have a short attention span, and have come to realize that multi-tasking is the devil. I used to think it was a great skill I had, but lately I’ve come to realize that I am way less productive when I’m switching between projects. I’ve been trying to batch task, and that seems to be working well for me and my brain.

In September we traveled to Scotland and spent two glorious weeks road tripping the highlands. If you haven’t been, it should be added to your bucket list. It was cool and rainy, and so beautiful. While we enjoyed the cities, we absolutely adored the small towns and open spaces, getting lost, getting away from the crowds and just enjoying the region. And whisky. Lots of whisky.

A week after our return at the end of September, we had to put our dear Gracie down. She would have been 14 in December, and we are so grateful we got to spend so much time with her. We adopted her when she was 2, from a man who got her as a gift, lived in a condo and had no time for her. She was a companion to our lab, Candy, who left us 5 years ago, and she was the sweetest, best girl ever. It was very sudden - as in, one morning she was unresponsive and it turned out she had a large cancerous mass on her spleen. At her age, we couldn’t put her through anymore pain. We brought her home and as she was held and surrounded by her family, we said goodbye with the help of the at-home euthanasia veterinarian that we used for Candy.

We are heartbroken, and the house is so very quiet. It’s been very hard for me since I work primarily at home, and she would follow me around all day, or sleep under my desk while I worked. I’ve come to realize that there is a certain energy dogs bring to a household that cannot be replicated.

We always said we weren’t going to get another dog for a while after Gracie, but within a week I had submitted applications to two Golden Retriever rescues here in Southern California. I’ve already applied for a couple that we didn’t get, but I do feel that the right doggo will come to us when the time is right.

So that brings us to the end of October and another Indian Summer in So Cal. I was photographing two of my clients this morning and I can’t believe I’m styling Christmas product now! It just seems too soon! The next two months are always such a whirlwind of activity and I’m sure it will fly by! Hopefully the temperature will cool off soon so I can get the sweaters and scarves out - I can’t wait.