"Happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” - Frederick Keonig

This is a photo I took late Monday afternoon at Eagle Beach. We drove out there in my new car after picking it up from Allen Marine Lines. It replaces my 15 year old Tracker that was becoming dangerous to drive. Driving the new Suzuki 6x4 Crossover, was *so* much fun, and it was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day for a drive!

I've been off from work for going on 6 days now, and it has been *heaven*. I've been working on new pieces for my show at the Canvas Gallery in June, mostly doing the PhotoShop thumbnails but coming up with some good compositions using some of the photos I've taken recently, including the ones in this post. The gallery is huge so I have a lot of work in front of me but I'm excited!

I'm also selling some smaller, less expensive sized prints now. I sold one to a co-worker of Aaron's on Monday, which was cool. Also, the University bookstore wants to keep selling my prints and the Arts Council wants to sell prints of my painting (Lupine Slumber) that they used for the cover of their annual programs.





Overall, I feel really good about myself as an artist lately...which is atypical for me. I just feel so fortunate to be able keep painting and showing my pieces, I'm a lot less angst-ridden, and yet it hasn't destroyed me as an artist (as I secretly feared domestic bliss would do).

It's strange, I was looking back over my last several posts in Facebook and they are all something like "I feel so lucky" or "I've so happy" etc. Some people might think I'm a big braggart, but anyone who knows me knows that this insane, sustained happiness for the past several years (since meeting my husband Aaron) is not standard operating procedure for me. Not that I wasn't happy on my own, but it was a different kind of happiness. One that needed constant maintenance in order to sustain...short-lived and bookended by depression and periods of loneliness and nostalgia.





I don't know how long these good times will last, but while they are here...I'm just going to enjoy every minute and not waste any time waiting for the other shoe to drop. Not that there haven't been some truly hard times this past year...because there have been, I just feel so much better equipped to deal with them. I am really learning how to appreciate life for what I have, right now today. And realizing that you don't need more money, more accomplishments, more "things" or even to be young or thin or famous to be happy. I know it's corny, but all I really need to be happy is faith (in myself) hope for the future, and the love of my friends and family. Here's wishing the same for all of you!


Elise on 12.24.09 @ 02:48 PM AK [link]

Wonderful Alaskan Vacation

This past weekend I went on an incredibly fun trip with my honey and his son Noah, as well as my sister and her son Xander. We took an early morning train to Talkeetna Alaska, it's a little town about two hours outside of Wasilla (home of Sara Palin!) on the border of Denali National Park.




Sitting in the dining car having breakfast burritos with reindeer sausage (don't judge, they're delicious!) we saw the most amazing sunrise over the mountains.

Aaron and I ran to the back of the train where we could shoot photos out an open door. This first one with the partially frozen river, is one that Aaron took.




Then I grabbed the camera from him to take a few more. We got a ton of nice shots.








The train left us off at the town of Talkeetna, where we were met by the owner of the Meandering Moose Lodge. We stayed in the "Fish Camp" log cabin, which was really cosy and spacious enough for the five of us (two queen beds and 4 twins!).

It was the weekend of their winter festival, which included the Wilderness Woman competition and the Alaskan Bachelor Auction (see this youtube video on the event), but we spent the weekend going for walks, reading, and playing games. It was incredibly relaxing, with no internet or TV or music. Ah... it was so peaceful out in the woods.

We then took the train back to Anchorage and the ride wasn't quite as nice because it was dark most of the way but it was still fun.

This weekend really reminded me why I love living in Alaska.

I would highly recommend the Meandering Moose Lodge if you are ever in the Talkeetna area. The owner Sandy is really nice and she'll drive you around if you come by train and don't have a car. Plus, the rates are really reasonable for what you get.

It was probably one of the best vacations I've had since our honeymoon, and at a fraction of the price.


Elise on 12.09.09 @ 05:26 PM AK [link]

Waiting for DaSnow

Today was beautiful! Juneau has this wonderful quality of light. Some days (like today) there were clouds, low hanging and upwards drifting fog, patches of blue sky, and bright sunlight that hit fresh white snow-capped mountains. The combination can be overwhelming. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets on my drive to work this morning.

The snow is most of the way down the mountain side now. It snowed a little this weekend but didn't "stick". Soon though....very soon.

Things here are going incredibly well. Aside from my studio (which got filled up with misc. junk when we moved everything to get our carpets cleaned) our house is lean, mean and clean. I've never been this well organized. Now with help from Aaron and Noah, keep the place tidy is effortless...there is plenty of time to be a woman of leisure...I did so much reading, cuddling, and napping this weekend, it felt like paradise.

Of course, I NEED to start painting again soon...and I will. Stay tuned on the Etsy store. I just haven't had the time to get that storefront set up, what with all the napping etc.
:)
Life is good!
Elise on 11.02.09 @ 05:15 PM AK [link]

Etsy...feel the love

So, I've decided to create an Etsy storefront. First of all, I LOVE Etsy. Not just the idea of a shop that only sells handmade goods, but also I love shopping on there. I'm always finding just amazing work.

I think it's an inexpensive way to reach more people (hopefully) with my work. I was inspired by an artist Suzanne McLean's (who friended me on Facebook...any other artists out there?) storefront Dream Gallery. I love her paintings as well!

Anyway, I'm very excited about setting it up today. I've been sick for awhile and really extraordinarily busy at work, so this will be my first day to set up the storefront.

I will post a link when it's ready.
Elise on 10.03.09 @ 10:39 AM AK [link]

August in Juneau, it aint for woosies...

August/September in Southeast Alaska, is not my favorite time of year. It gets cold, it gets rainy (like REALLY rainy), and you start to notice that it's getting dark earlier and earlier.

Last night there was a break in the rain and Aaron and I went up the tram to have dinner. Later we hiked briefly and took some cool photographs. Aaron took the one with the tree in it. Pretty sun light or what?

Elise on 08.27.09 @ 01:25 PM AK [link]

Facebook

I just realized that one of the reasons that I don't update this blog as much anymore is because I'm on facebook and I tend to post all of my little droplets of wisdom on there now. Of course, the posts are much shorter now and only my friends see them but that's what has happened.

At some point I'm going to get the spam filter installed on this ancient blog so that I can leave comments turned on for more than 5 hours. Oh well.

I was going through my site with a friend the other day and I realized how much I've neglected my website overall. I really need to go through and make some updates!

I found out yesterday that another original sold at my show, so I've ended up making a nice little chunk of change. Now I have to finish up two commissions, and continue working on the show for next June. I'm hoping to have 5-6 paintings for that show done by the winter break...that way I can get some new prints made. I'm pretty happy at how well they are selling at openings, though shrink wrapping is the Devil's work! I *hate* it!
:plain:
Elise on 08.11.09 @ 11:02 AM AK [link]

Hazzah!

The opening last night at the UAS Bookstore was really wonderful. I didn't think many people would show up because it's clear out in Auk Bay, as opposed to downtown where all of the other First Friday openings were taking place. However, I had an excellent turn out and sold 4 original paintings and 7 prints!

Plus, it was fun. They had hung the show early in the day, and someone had already purchased a painting hours before the opening started. That had a wonderful affect on me, all of my anxiety that nothing would sell went away and I could just enjoy myself. The staff at the bookstore were also fantastic...they took care of everything and all I had to do was show up.

Below are a couple of photos from the opening. They had smaller paintings on a display near my print bin, and in the second photo you can see my larger pieces hanging on the wall in the background.

I am so thankful for all of my friends and supporters who turned out for the opening...you're what keep me going as an artist!

Elise on 08.08.09 @ 12:39 PM AK [link]

Show Tomorrow Night!

Well, tomorrow from 4-7 is my show at the UAS Bookstore. I'm feeling a bit guilty that I haven't done more to promote it, haven't papered the town with flyers or anything like that. I have been so crazy busy and I still have to shrink wrap a bunch of prints. Also, I feel like I just had the Annie Kaill's Show, even though it was 2 months ago.

I'm afraid not many people will come to the opening reception. It's held the same night as First Friday, a big gallery walk that takes place in downtown Juneau which is just about as far away as you can get from where I'm showing. Most of the people I know from the University (which is very nearby and convenient) are still off contract for the summer. A lot of people are on summer vacation or have friends with shows tonight downtown. Even my own husband can't make it because he's coaching soccer...

Oh well, I feel this way a lot before an opening, a certain amount of embarrassment and dread. There will be a lot of pieces in this show, about half of them I've exhibited before. The other half are pieces that never really fit in well with the work from other exhibits. I guess I'm glad that I'm doing the show even if there is a weak turn out. As one art consultant said, GET YOUR WORK OUT THERE!
:blush:


Elise on 08.06.09 @ 09:37 AM AK [link]

Librarian Superhero Trading Cards

Below is the first of many I hope to design for the librarians of the Egan Library where I work. It's more fun than regular business cards and I LOVE working in Photoshop.

Special Powers - Advanced online searching
Mission - Help students fight information overload
Arch Nemisis - Pop up blocker
Side Kicks: ipod Touch and Kindle 2


In other news, I have a show at our University Book Store coming up in two weeks and I have nothing ready for it. Life has been too crazy. I guess I had no idea how the addition of nine year old boy would alter things for me. I am hoping to spend some time in the studio this weekend.

As of now, the show will consist of one totally new piece that I've painted since my last exhibit. Three paintings that I've done in the past 2 years but haven't exhibited. Three paintings that have been exhibited before that I've re-painted. And two beautiful paintings that have been exhibited in the past, but at a very small venue.

Overall, I don't think the show "goes" together that well. There will be a variety of themes, sizes, and mediums. I will also have more prints available for purchase. The book store might be interested in keeping a few on my prints on hand even after the opening!

I really need to keep working, find my groove again, get off my lazy duff etc. I have a lot more respect for artists with kids!

Elise on 07.24.09 @ 12:39 PM AK [link]

Bonfires and Belly Laughing

We'd been invited to a bonfire at Sandy Beach and I'd been looking forward to it. But as is often the case, by the time I got home from work Friday night, I was feeling tired and home-body-ish. The bonfire started at 7...but we fell asleep on the couch until 8:30. Aaron felt it was too late but I thought we should make an appearance.

We packed the large wicker picnic basket (a wedding gift from our friend Kate) and walked the two blocks down to Sandy Beach. The fire was roaring, there were lots of people there I knew as well as kids and dogs for Noah to play with on the beach.

We ate hot dogs and s'mores and drank ice cold beer. My artist friend Tasha offered me a sweet deal (art related but still secret) that still gets my heart atwitter to think about. The weather was beautiful and we were all in good moods with lots and lots of laughing. It felt wonderful; on a scale of 1 to 10, Noah rated the night a 37,000.

Then this morning I received a poem that my best girlfriend from college (talented writer Jenni Williams) wrote:

The Beginners Guide to Belly Laughing
for Elise

Here’s how you belly laugh:

Get a friend then

Lie on your back and close your eyes

Pretend to laugh, go hee hee hee, haa haa haa, hee hee hee, haa haa haa

Hee hee hee, gwhaa gwhaa haa snork, gnhuhn-nug haa herp…

Keep going no matter how uncomfortable or stupid you feel

Forget about the things you need to do

Forget about everything weighing you down

Forget about the things you’ve lost or can never have

Hah-HA,Hee heeeerp, ho-ho

Hold your friends hand tight

Change the sound of your tone

Go high, go low

GHUH GUH GUH GUH nhee nhee nheeeeeeee

Don’t open your eyes

Don’t think too hard

Feel it coming

It’s there

Mmmmmh mmmmmh Hmhhmmmm hah HAH heee

Don’t stop

It’s in you, right in your gut

It’s rising up, moving through you

Listen and release

Don’t worry

It’s okay

Sometimes you laugh so hard

You have to cry

Jenni and I used to belly laugh, just like that. At first it would seem awkward but soon you're laughing for real, and then laughing so hard your abs hurt and you have tears rolling down your face. I hadn't thought of it in so long, but they are such a good memories. Jenni is the girlfriend I can be the goofiest with. She brings me back to being 6 years old a time when nothing you do is considered silly or "immature".

Aaron and I can be playful like that as well. I'm basically a dork, and I most cherish the people in my life who not only embrace my inner dork, but feel free to exhibit their own!

I guess the point of all this is that we should never forget to play. To make time for laughing. To make time for friends, even if we're tired at the end of a long day. It gets harder, the older we get, the more responsibilities we have. But if we don't have room for joy in our lives, really, what's the point?

Elise on 07.11.09 @ 11:54 AM AK [link]