All Play and Some Work…

Now that fall has officially begun, I find myself a bit melancholy that summer has passed. Though this year has been unlike any other we have experienced, the warmer months were filled with activities that I haven’t had time for in the recent past.

Jamming with some friends this past summer.

This summer I focused on enjoying the “downtime,” and wasn’t too hard on myself for not being as productive as I had hoped. I hadn’t really had a “real” summer since I began this business back in 2001, painting on weekends, holidays, and summers while I was teaching high school.

I also spent time working out with my quarantine gym friends, taking walks, getting back on the motorcycle, playing more music, and reading a lot. I even tried to keep a garden but the weeds got the better of me. I made my annual trip to Rehoboth Beach where my mom and I would spend a few days each summer and caught up with friends (from a safe distance, of course.)

Getting back on the moto for the first time since 2012. I think I have the bug again...

As for my reading, I really got into the musician autobiography genre which included Flea’s “Acid for the Children,” Anthony Kiedis’s “Scar Tissue,” Alicia Keys’s “More Myself,” Patty Smith’s “Just Kids,” Patricia Kennealy’s “My Life With, and Without, Jim Morrison,” and Viv Albertine’s “Clothes, Music, Boys.” I also read Michelle Obama’s autobiography, Sue Monk Kidd’s “The Dance of the Dissident Daughter,” and am currently reading “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle as well as “Art and Fear” by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

We celebrated my dad’s 70th birthday on September 7th. Dad and I had planned to take a trip to Kentucky to experience the “bourbon trail” but because of Covid-19, we had a small gathering of a few close friends in my backyard where we did our own tasting and pairings. Fingers crossed we can go next summer.

I did finally finish my painting “Old Yellow” in time to be included in the Creative Alliance’s member show “The Big Show.” The image is from my trip to New Mexico back in 2018 where I spent two weeks solo exploring the state from north to south. Creative Alliance made the show available virtually and offered limited in-person viewing on Saturdays while the show was up.

Slowly Getting Back to Work

It’s been nice to be able to slow down a bit and not be slammed with work. That being said, I had a couple really fun projects and have heard that a few of them may be published! Can’t say much more about them other than that I’m grateful to the designers who included me in their projects.

Recently my schedule is gradually picking up and I have brought back Bronwyn who has been working with me on some furniture pieces in the studio. It finally feels like things are starting to get back to somewhat normal for me!

One of my favorite paint brands, Golden, shared one of my projects on their Facebook! They featured the two city sketch murals that I did of Paris and NYC for Christie Leu Interiors. I’d love to do some more murals, so please reach out if you’re interested in working together on a custom mural!

Getting some paint on the ceiling with my girl Cathy Rinn!

Business in the time of covid

I had originally applied for the EIDL loan but decided to not accept it because of the requirements for repayment. I am lucky enough to be able to survive off of my savings as well as qualifying for unemployment during the weeks without work. I am also grateful that my business hasn’t all but dried up because I know others who have had to give up painting in order to find other means of making a living.

Christendome College, working with Bryan King of Artifice to create a "Giotto" inspired sky. (we're working in the very tip top of the tower, 90' up!)

I’ve kept in touch with my clients and designers who have seen their businesses either do really well or take a major hit. I hope that now that people have been staying home a lot more, they will understand the value that interior design brings to a home. Having an environment that is comfortable and functional is a major part of our emotional well-being. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Just changing paint colors can have a huge impact!

LS Home Fabrics Masks

When the pandemic hit, I made masks out of my LS Home fabrics that I had on hand and gave them out to people who needed them. After getting a lot of positive feedback I decided to sell them and are available in my shop. I have two sizes, adult and youth and I am currently offering free shipping with code FSMASKS at checkout!

Annie modeling her mask in front of the painting she purchased which inspired the fabric.

Note Cards Are Coming Soon…

I’ve seen several friends post on social media that they have begun mailing letters and cards. I remember as a kid being so excited when I got a letter from a friend or a card from my grandparents and it’s fun to see it make a comeback. It’s always thoughtful when you take the time to send someone a card. I truly believe that Covid has brought back some of the old fashioned ways of doing things, one of which is the art of writing. So I will soon also have note cards available with images of my paintings for sale!

For the remainder of the year, I’m hoping for work to gradually pick up. I have a couple of projects that should be fun and challenging and can’t wait to share when they’re completed.

Textured plaster finish in two story foyer for JP Styles

Kitchen hood- blackened steel finish and backsplash in white venetian plaster. JP Styles

Textured plaster finish in two story foyer. JP Styles

Remember when I set intentions for 2020? HA!

It's funny to think about intentions for the remainder of the year, the last time I thought about intentions for the year it was in January and I had decided that my word would be “Thrive.”

When I picked that word I had no idea what 2020 was going to be like. It’s hard not to get bummed out when your goals aren’t met, but when you don’t have control of what’s happening in the world you have to let go and readjust your expectations.

In the beginning of the shutdown, I was panicked along with everyone else about how this was going to affect me. But after making it through several personal setbacks, I’ve learned two things:

That nothing is really in your control.
That you will survive and recover.

Letting go of control and being more flexible has been and still is the hardest thing for me but I’m getting better at it.

Our work featured in an article about a home designed by Christie Leu Interiors in Home and Design Magazine. Pictured: a portion of the 22' tall wall for Christie Leu Interiors.

The remainder of the year, I’d love to focus on more murals & custom artwork!

I recently got to visit some commissioned murals and paintings. My favorite thing to do is to create custom art pieces because it’s so special to work with someone to create a painting that they will cherish for years.

The holiday season this year is definitely going to be different and most everyone is shopping online now, especially to maintain social distancing. Unfortunately, this means that big retailers are enjoying the benefits.

However, I think the most important thing right now is supporting local shops and artisans to ensure that our friends and neighbors are able to keep the lights on. Gifting isn’t always easy, but it’s more meaningful when they’re handmade and given with thought.

Please contact me if you’d like to commission a custom painting or mural! I’d love to work with you this fall/winter to create the artwork of your dreams!

Views of Maryland for Straughan Environmental Services. One "window" of about 12. Completed 10 years ago!

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