Sharing Some Happy...
by Lynne Suprock
Tinsel,
trees, stockings, bows…. The season is upon us and where exactly did the summer
go? I’ve been across the country and
back in miles, caught up to see both extraordinary and ordinary things,
welcomed a new grandson (number 2) into a crazy world, and decided to freeze a
few moments in time by giving them my complete presence of mind.
I continued to try a few new things sewing, filmed a few projects for the PBS show Make It Artsy (seasons 5 and 6), hosted workshops, as well as taught little on the road, and have thought about a few print worthy how-to’s. This year has
also been a time to sort out the lines between art friendships vs business
friendships, and good business vs not so great business regarding the retail scene. As a mixed media artist, I like to think the
best of everyone, but it has not been that way with some of my
experiences. It is time to walk away
from any negative vibes, and stay focused on what truly has meaning, and makes
a difference. This focus, and working with small businesses I believe in, allow me to be more happily present in what I do. .
So, during
the end of March, before my last post, I traveled to Montgomery County with
hubby and friends to experience the ultimate in indoor free fall and flight at iFly.
If I could, I would fly everyday!!
Oh My Gosh, you just have to go do it yourself. It was such a game changer and super fun. I
will never be the same. 😊
April then
brought with it, a visit from friend, Erin Gerlach, who came to visit and work on
a few projects using the Aves Apoxie products to showcase on the wildly
wonderful PBS show, MAKE IT ARTSY, with the ultimate art host, Julie Fei Fan
Balzer. What a blast we all had doing that. Filming happened in May. I will include a link to one of the episodes at the end of the post, for those interested in
checking out a segment. Others will be up on my YouTube Channel as the episodes air.
Alas,
but no other producer called me
after my on set persona demo’d some serious project making. However, for what it was worth, I met a lot
of wonderful people and got to be under the lights, in front of the camera, and
in the middle of all the action for a few fun days. Thank you, Erin Gerlach, for providing me the
product and collaboration to film four more awesome episodes, and thank you Kathy
Stull, and your wonderful team, of K&S productions, for making these episodes possible on Make It
Artsy!
Also in May,
I zipped off to New Orleans for the first time ever!
Holy smokers, what a place indeed.
How amazing was the local culture and the art! Oysters aren’t my thing,
but there were plenty other choices of local cuisine. Before he closed the business, I was able to visit Thomas
Mann’s art shop/studio. Ou-la-la, what an
artsy place to visit. I was scouting
around in hopes of teaching in NOLA myself one day. Perhaps……
The very end of the month found me
in Chicago, where I attended a conference and had one beautiful day to catch up
with my cousins, Lori and Kathy, living in the area. We
had lunch and kinship at a wonderful place along the river. Love these girls. I wished we lived closer!
In June, a most
lovely, although wet, week was spent in West Palm Beach. Gosh, how I love the beach, even in the
rain. My sister and I also finally made it to the
Pittsburgh Art Festival at Three Rivers.
Oh my, pierogie and brisket trucks lined the street. Yes, we did partake just a little in that feast!
Right before
the 4th of July, it was also so exciting to spend teaching full
weekend workshops at The Muse, in downtown Frederick, MD. I love that my workshops sold out! Thank you Whitney Dahlberg, owner and artist, for hosting me. :-)
In the middle of the month we readied travel
to NH for a family visit, and to welcome the arrival of a newbie boy to the
family in July. We made a second trip up
in August to provide a bit of support to our daughter in law as our son was involved in a little work travel. Distance and our own work/travel obligations make visiting less frequent than it should be. I know lots of
you out there understand and live this circumstance, as well.
September
found some teaching time in the studio and prepping for an annual beloved art
and mixed media retreat, Art &Soul, in Virginia Beach. Afterward, another beach week to Myrtle
Beach with friends. Hubby spent time on the west coast and over in the UK the remainder of the month. For me, I get lazy and that
means no cooking….yay! Although I have to say, I eat healthier when I do
cook. Several days of me time, found me taking
direct hits of almond whipped cream straight from the can and spooning marinara
sauce right out of the jar. Yes, I did
just say I did that.
October was
here before I could blink and I was off to vend, teach workshops and bunk with
some art sisters for a fabulous week at the Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreat. It is always wonderful to connect with other
teachers, students and art friends. The
heart needs these reprieves.
Lucky to head back down south, with hubby, to Charlestown, SC for a business trip. Wonderful warm weather and connection with colleagues and friends. I finally got to tour a beautiful plantation. The architecture and gardens were beautiful. My fav restaurant once again Fleet Landing. Oh my word what seafood!!
And here we
are in Dec, and in the epitome of holiday hub-bub. I play the holiday music the day after
Halloween, you know. Drives everybody
crazy for sure. They bring me the best memories though. Yes, the best of Christmases past. I bake a few pies and clean a bit to make
room for all the commercial trimmings. Decorations
seem to be somewhat less each year, but the ones left for display are most
special. I look forward to the meet up
with friends and family. The best time
of year for grandchildren, and reliving a little bit of your own magic of youth.
So that
brings me to today. I left out the most
personal stuff that colors in the days between milestones. There have been certainly the most exquisite
blessed moments and some, which were nearly tragic awful and scary. We all have these times without roadmaps,
which makes life’s trip a bit rogue when you'd rather it not be.
For now, I’m
enjoying the time of year where we are all a little kinder, a little more
understanding and forgiving, and a bit more sentimental. Looking ahead to putting a few more things in
my Etsy store, getting out a few more videos on YouTube, launching a new
website, and starting up a new studio.
Looking forward to finding happiness in another year forward, as I hope
you all do too.
