2019 | Year In Review
Every year for the past decade, I’ve done a little re-cap of the year. It's a nice way to take stock of the past 12 months. Those of you who know me personally know that I have a hard time slowing down. “Pause” is a hard one for me. But this is a moment to reflect and appreciate what has transpired.
If you're interested in previous years, you can take a look back at 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
I’m not going to lie, 2019 was kind of a shit-show when it came to family illness, death, and massive transitions. But it was also unspeakably beautiful and filled with the kind of stretchy-growth that forces one to truly consider their life purpose. So here we go…
ONE: I turned my volunteerism and activism into a dream job.
Last January, I stepped into a full-time staff position as Operations Director at StateraArts. I have been with Statera since its founding and I love this organization with all my heart. ALL. MY. BIG. RED. HEART. You can read a little bit about their past year right HERE. The photos below are me with (left to right) Executive Director Melinda Pfundstein, Development Director Sabrina Cofield, and National Mentorship Co-Directors Minita Gandhi and Erika Haaland.
TWO: I made paintings.
This year saw my first solo show in my (relatively) new home of Eastern Oregon. Royal Artisan Gallery featured my series entitled Snake River Women for the month of February. You can watch a little video of the opening night reception HERE. I’m so excited that they’ve invited me back for a show in June of 2021.
THREE: I made music.
This year, my partner Jack and I - joined by my friend Curt Turrell and my Dad - performed as a part of the summer concert series in Halfway, OR. (And Jack and I are already booking gigs for 2020!) Here’s a little taste of us performing Landslide.
FOUR: I co-founded a theatre collective.
Sometimes things are magical, witchy, and unexplainable. Moderate Woo fits this description. Our theatre collective is only a year old and already we’re deep into the creation and formation of our first offering: The Motherhood Project. My role? Resident playwright and co-producer. Stay tuned by subscribing to our newsletter HERE. The photo below is me with (left to right) Molly McCarter, Willow Norton, and Kristi Good.
FIVE: I said goodbye to a beloved father.
This June, our family lost Obbie Atkinson to cancer. He was my step-father, my mother’s bedrock partner, and I’ve known him all my life. He was a healer by trade. And in knowing him and loving him, I too was healed. I will miss him all the days of my life. Here he is with my brother, who also left this earth in 2014. (Goddamnit, I miss them.)
SIX: I drove cross country with my Mama.
We started in New York City, looped out to Cape Cod and then drove home to Eastern Oregon via Dallas and Albuquerque. Sometimes you just need to grab one of your favorite people and put some miles on the car.
SEVEN: I facilitated some cool things.
This year, as part of my job with StateraArts, I did a lot of public speaking, sat on panels, and facilitated workshops. Here’s a look…
At the Women in Classical Music Symposium in Dallas at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
At Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota
At Statera’s National Conference in New York City
EIGHT: Commissions were a big part of 2019.
Most of my art work is created by commission. I’m so grateful to the clients who commissioned work in 2019! Thank you for supporting my work as an independent artist. I made THIS portrait for some adorable newlyweds, THIS anniversary portrait, THESE sweet little landscapes, and THESE house portraits. Below is a photo of my studio where all the magic happens.
NINE: I did an interview about making art.
I’m always grateful when someone wants to feature my work or somehow highlight what I’m doing as an artist. Girls That Create ran a sweet little feature on my work this year. (Thanks, Erin!) You can read it HERE.
TEN: I officiated a wedding.
I was so honored to marry my Kaitlyn Winter and Sheena Cooper in Portland, OR this May!
ELEVEN: I wrote about what it means for me to be an independent artist.
When you support independent artists, you are supporting independent thinking. When you donate to independent artists, you are saying that you believe in freedom of thought and freedom of choice. When you buy artwork from local and independent artists, you are affirming your own ability to live out loud and lean into your own authenticity. Read more HERE.
TWELVE: We began homeschooling.
For many reasons, we began homeschooling our oldest child this fall. So far, its been a wonderful shift. I’m so grateful that my partner Jack has made it his day-to-day life’s work to teach and assist our beautiful kiddo as he navigates his education. (P.S. We’re using the Oak Meadow curriculum as a guide post and its fabulous.)
THIRTEEN: Celebrated 15 years of marriage with Jack.
Jack and I have been together for 19 years and married for 15. He is my person. He is my one. And I am bone-deep grateful for his steady, creative, enduring partnership. Who would I be without him?
