Feeling deep gratitude for all of you!

Much gratitude for you, friends, followers, guest artists, clients.

Each December as I review the months past, I am amazed by all the connections I have made through social media. In April, I wrote Connecting with you in my online journey. As much as we might curse them at times, Facebook and Instagram do facilitate a sense of community through interest groups. In the many groups I have joined, people are uplifting and positive in their remarks, and I feel much gratitude for the encouragement and friendships I find there.

Of course, we all know that Facebook friends come and go...no one can really figure out how algorithms work.

Consequently, every now and then, an old "friend" will suddenly reappear in my feed. There is seemingly no rhyme or reason as to how these sites work, but through them, we feel less isolated in our interests whatever they may be.

The year in review

As I look back, I feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Although I have not participated in any craft show in 2019 (one goal left unchecked on the to do list), I was published in a local Ottawa magazine which was a first for me.

I am thankful for the two-page spread in Residents of Chapel Hill (circulation 10,000 households) and the skilful photography of Jason Reasbeck (Ottawa, Ontario photographer) and the article written by Matt Day.

Gratitude for our war vets

One of the most meaningful portrait commissions in 2019 was that of Nala, a therapy dog for a Canadian war vet. It was an honour and privilege to paint her for Dominique Brière who served in Bosnia and whose story I included in my April blog post.

I am very thankful for all the brave men and women past and present, who serve Canada and put their lives at risk in their assignments abroad.

Gratitude for my guest creatives in 2019.

This past year, I increased the featured guest creatives from one a month in 2018 to two for most months in 2019.  There were a few firsts here as well.

My first photographer, Kris Kennedy shared her spectacular flowers, and my first author, Phyllis Bohonis, described the path that lead her to writing her marvellous novels set in Canada.

I am truly grateful for all the artists/creatives from around the world who appeared as guests this year on my website. I have become friends with several guests, exchanging emails over the months. This feature will continue in 2020. We are united in one common way: so many of us discovered a new calling later in life, whether it is in painting, or writing, or photography... Please contact me if you wish to be featured in the coming year and I will send you the information letter I sent to all my guest artists.

Grateful for my clients

In 2019, my art work commissions increased and I had constant work throughout the year with the usual rush in the fall leading up to Christmas.

I thank everyone who placed their trust in me to paint their beloved furry companions. I include a special commission to paint unicorns on skates for a young girl's room.

To everyone, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

A very happy new year to all of you!