This year has been really rough so far:
Sister and I had a fall out that has affected my whole family (she went crazy on FaceBook.. you can see my point of view.) I turned 40 and though I didn’t think I was going to … I started to re-evaluate my life, goals, and dreams, and now I understand mid-life crisis a bit better. Got into a truck accident on the way to a woodworker friend (Keith Fritz Furniture) in Southern Indiana. “T” boned, by an out of control driver and a head on collision with a concrete wall. Scariest accident of my life. I got really really banged up and 3 cracked ribs, which set me back in every part of my life for the last three months. Then my Paduan (a free style Apprentice, and, yes, a Star Wars reference, but also homage to Padua, Italy … the only place Art thrived during the Medieval era) moved to New Orleans, so I have an empty desk and a feeling of loss.
AND YET…this year has been really AMAZING so far:
I received a hefty grant to further my career as a sculptor and artisan, to either get into the 2012 Sculptural Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) show…. or to go back to school for my Masters. Regardless I am working hard on 10-12 sculptural pieces. The accident gave me GREAT pain killers, that blossomed my creative abilities.. I finished a painting, two small carvings, two wands, and started 3 large sculptures, and refined my “Spiral Cone.” My husband, David, as offered a new job as VP of Technology for the 3rd fastest growing Ad Agency in the US, which makes the home life so much less stressful. Next month, I am heading to Italy for a 10 day painting class in Tuscany. AND I was approached by a young guy who was interested in being my Assistant!
I HAVE AN ASSISTANT AGAIN!
He has been in the shop for 4 days now: roughly 5 hours a day, for whenever I need him or he wants to earn money. And I have a grant this time to afford his assistance… whoo Hooo!!! He is 23 (“straight” ... in case anyone really cares, but he is my first “straight” assistant so it is bit odd for me) and is the drummer of a band. He is searching for a path of more creativity and potential future. I am so happy he is not a newbie, but does need some refinement and focus. BEST of all.. he comes in and starts to work right away, does what I ask without issue, and is eager to learn all I can share!!! If he works out I could see him becoming my next Paduan, or maybe a full Apprentice!
Life is good… thanks for reading … hope it is all good for ya’ll, my woodworking Peeps!!
They can take all our money, but give us a stick and a piece of steel and we will still make happiness for another person. So, keep on making stuff. ~ Peace