Reflections on 2021

It’s that time of year again! Time to set goals, make resolutions, and evaluate things in your life. For most of us, 2021 was much like 2020. We did have glimpses of normalcy with kids returning to school, some travel bans lifted, the vaccine being widely available, but not all has returned to the “before times.” And as we emerge from the holiday season, we have spikes in case numbers, and more uncertainty as we go back to work and school. I hope that all of us can find some positivity in our collective situation and joy in our lives.

Did I Adapt?

Every New Year since 2016 I choose a “word of the year.” I have to admit though that I had forgotten my word for 2021 which was “Adapt.” After reflecting back on this past year, I certainly have adapted to our “New Normal”. I’ve become more flexible in how I schedule projects, last-minute changes don’t throw me off as much as they used to and I’ve focused more on my personal life. As a result, I’ve created a life that’s more balanced and intentional and I’m able to just roll with things (as much as an anxiety-prone type-A can! lol.)

Early on in 2021, I was nervous that work wouldn’t come back as it had in 2019. I had lots of great residential projects with some amazing clients and interior designers, but with the pandemic, most of that had dried up because no one wanted strangers in their home. I had thought about targeting more commercial and liturgical projects and had sent out some emails but nothing really came of that either. During that time, Bronwyn had an opportunity to work full time with benefits at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore and I couldn’t blame her for taking the position. I have to admit that it was a real blow to not have her as my assistant anymore but I didn’t have enough work to keep her busy. I wish her all the best and hope to stay in touch.

I was beginning to worry that I might have to get a job at Home Depot. But as the vaccine became more available, people were growing more comfortable with contractors in their homes. By the time spring began, work was beginning to flow again. Also, after living and working from home it seems that clients were growing tired of their surroundings and ready to tackle those long put-off projects. Living spaces now need to be more comfortable, functional, and inviting since we’re spending more time at home.

Its hard to look back on successful years and not get down on yourself for falling short of previous goals. 2019 was certainly a banner year for me, but although 2020 and 2021 weren’t as financially successful as 2019, they were definitely challenging and rewarding in their own ways.

Let’s See How I Did with My Goals…

Professionally I’ve had a good year. I’ve completed several mural projects and custom art pieces, both of which I’ve wanted to do more of. I also was able to reconnect with past clients who had me do some new work for them. Here is my goal list from 2021, lets see how I did:

• Take my classes to a virtual platform, including my workshops and my CEU- I did create a virtual version of my abstract painting class. I plan to do the glass one next and offer it for free for those people who had their in-person class canceled. I did not get my NCIDQ CEU class renewed, but perhaps I can adapt it to be taken virtually.

• This year I want to learn more about oil painting and how to loosen up a little. Maybe even try some surrealism. I started a painting in oil that I need to finish…

• Maintain my relationships with my current clients and designers. Check! I revamped my portfolio booklet with updated projects and sent them out to new and existing designers.

• Look at other means of income (fine art, jewelry, classes, virtual workshops) As stated above, I got my virtual glass painting class ready for download. I have added a couple new pieces to my shop here. I’d like to continue offering jewelry both on my site and at “Domain” by Laura Hodges Studio in Catonsville.

• Continue to update LS Home - “Artistically Curated Fabrics and Wallcoverings” (available on my site and at the Maryland Design Center) Nope. But I did sell a couple yards of fabrics. What do you all think? Should I create more designs?

• Take care of some not-so-glamorous home projects so that I can sleep better at night. I made some much-needed home improvements including waterproofing my basement and putting in a patio. Now that I have a privacy fence I wanted to make my backyard more useable. I accepted the fact that I am not a gardener and so my friend Megan and I tore out the remnants and seeded it back to grass. Thanks to Evan I now have a firewood storage rack, fire pit, and a hammock!

• Maintain my health both physically and emotionally, yoga, CrossFit, keeping up with my friends (safely,) reading more about spirituality/religion. Yes, AND I took on an assistant coaching position for the Mount Hebron High School Mountain Bike Club which has been incredibly rewarding. The girls on the team are so enthusiastic about riding that it has rekindled my love of the sport. I’ve been able to reconnect with old riding friends and feel a part of the scene again. I also organized a strength workshop series for the club at Crossfit Catonsville with the help of owner Chris Franey in the offseason (hopefully to resume after the recent spike in Covid cases.) I’ve also found some good reads, “Dance of the Dissident Daughter” by Sue Monk Kidd, and I’m currently reading “Mating in Captivity” by Dr. Ester Perel

• Looking forward to a couple of projects this winter, and a new fine art commission from a new design firm in Baltimore!! I began working with two new firms, Jenkins Baer Associates and Model Home Interiors. Model Home Interiors hired me to create murals for three different model homes in Delaware for K. Hovnanian Homes this past year, and so I had to adapt to traveling for work. I was able to do some of the murals at home in my studio and some on-site which made the work on-site much more efficient. I created a couple of custom pieces for two of the designers at JBA and am looking forward to more projects together.

A few more things that I accomplished in 2021

I am excited to say that I was selected as one of Golden Paintworks’ featured artists for their Fall/Winter 2021 “Limited Edition Collection” of finishes where I developed four finishes using their products. Suzy Dominguez of Artkeyologie was the other featured artist. You can find our recipes here. 

My personal life has also gotten much fuller. I’ve made frequent visits to LA to see Evan and he to see me in Baltimore. I attended Salon St. Louis where Evan and I had our public “debut” showcasing our panel of “American Gothic.” I drove out from Baltimore and afterward, Evan and I road tripped through Tennessee and North Carolina visiting Nashville and Asheville, respectively before heading back to Baltimore. We visited Joshua Tree, attended his family reunion, and we met in Mexico over the Thanksgiving break for some much-needed rest and relaxation.

My final project for 2021 was to convert my van with the help of my dad into a camper. We took out the seats and built a sleeping platform with space underneath for more storage. The cats and I took off for LA on the 17th of December and are spending January with Evan. My dad, the cats, and I took 8 days to travel down to Fairhope Alabama to look up some family history, then headed west to explore New Orleans, Austin, Marfa TX, and Yuma AZ before arriving in Los Angeles on my birthday, Christmas Eve. While out here I am working on marketing plans, helping Evan with work for LeGrande Studios, and taking time to work on a new painting. I also plan to visit with some old friends and spend time exploring decorative painting work opportunities here in Los Angeles.

Though it can be hard to plan the future when there’s a pandemic going on, without any goals, I feel time would be wasted. I can set goals and adapt to the changes that come my way. I don’t want to set goals that are too lofty but ones that I can achieve despite the unknowns of what the year will bring. I’ll revisit last year’s goals and hopefully expand on them too.

murals at Chesapeake Pediatric Dental Group

For 2022 my word is EXPAND and here’s why…

•  I want to expand Lenehan Studios’ offerings and create more opportunities for work on the west coast, working independently and in conjunction with LeGrande Studios. It’s a long-term goal so for now just small steps.

• I also want to continue to expand on the workshops I’ve developed, both virtually and in person.

• I would love to expand the amount of custom art and murals I do. They are truly what brings me the most joy, and if I am working from a place of joy then I believe the work reflects that.

• I’d like to expand and explore painting in oils as well as mixed media.

• A personal goal of mine is to be able to do a push up. I may have shoulder surgery so if I can rehab it well enough that might be possible.

I am thankful that 2021 was a good year for me. Tell me about your 2021. What is your “word of the year?” What goals have you set for yourself?

LET’S WORK TOGETHER IN 2022!

Contact me about commissioning a custom piece of artwork, a custom mural, or any other project you’re dreaming up! I’d love to talk about what you have in mind, answer any questions you may have, and if the feeling is right, schedule a consultation.