From the Studio to the Front Page: reviewing last year.

Hello again!

As I continue to catch you all up on this whirlwind year, I have to share one of the most surreal moments of my career so far. A few months back, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by the St. Cloud Times.

I knew the article was coming, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment you walk into the grocery store to grab a few things and see... yourself. I actually made the front page! I did a total double-take right there in the checkout aisle. It was so much fun to pick up the paper and see my work shared with the whole community in such a big way.

Speaking of the community, I’ve also been spending a lot of time with the wonderful folks at Homestead Artisans. I’ve been rotating my work through their space and heading out to do live demos. There is something so grounding about stepping out of the solitary studio environment to show people how the "magic" happens.

One of my favorite ways I’ve been connecting with people lately is through my mini art vending machine. I’ve had it out and about at shows and various locations, and it’s been such a hit.

I designed the machine to be token-based, and I keep the price at just $5. It was really important to me to make original art affordable and accessible to everyone. Whether it’s a kid with their allowance or someone who just wants a little "pick-me-up," seeing the joy on someone's face when they use their token and a tiny, original piece of art drops down is just the best. It’s a whimsical, low-pressure way to bring a little more creativity into the world.

It’s been a season of visibility and connection, and I’m so grateful for every person who stopped to read the paper, watch a demo, or grab a token for the machine.

I have one more big piece of news to share in my next post—the story of a "long shot" project that actually paid off. I'll be back in a few days to tell you all about it!

Until then, thank you for being part of this journey.