April 2017 led me to the area surrounding Pensacola, Florida, then returning to the west for visits around Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and Baker, Nevada. Most of my paintings reflected the Gulf Coast's scenery this month.

One of the things I've been working on over the past couple of months is "loosening up" my approach to art. While I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to receive artistic training throughout my life, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art (Painting emphasis), I feel that instruction hampered my creativity in a lot of ways. I often wonder what my creations would look like had I explored my my creative side independently.

I personally feel that untrained and uninformed art is the purest artistic expression, which is one of the biggest reasons I have spent years collecting folk and outsider art. Most of the paintings I made this month were only loosely sketched with pencil prior to getting out the paintbrushes, and some were not sketched at all. This is a huge change from the meticulous beginnings I usually undertake.

I continued to be pretty productive, creating 9 pieces of art and an additional 2 "sketch" paintings, which I used as promotional giveaways. As always, except for the sketch paintings, my pieces were inspired by my travels and informed by my original photography. Many are already sold (thank you, dear friends - I continue to be humbled by your support!). As of this posting, 5 of these pieces are still available and ready to keep your walls company.

I'm also running a promotion right now. Until the end of the day on Sunday, May 7, you will get 15% off your purchase when you enter the promo code MOMLOVE at checkout.

So go ahead, go get yourself some art!

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Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama: 4/2/17, 13:45:20

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama: 4/2/17, 13:45:22

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida: 3/27/17, 11:32:01

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida: 3/27/17, 11:27:53

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida: 3/27/17, 11:28:45

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama: 4/2/17, 14:32:48

Every $30 you buy in art helps keep me rolling on my adventure across the United States for approximately 1-2 days (gas is expensive!). I'm truly grateful to all the people in my life who keep me fueled up, both literally and figuratively!

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"Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." ~Jacob Bronowski

Lately, I have been asked a lot about my plans for the next year. The short answer to these inquiries is, "I have no idea!"

In all seriousness, I really do have at least some idea. I have a loose blueprint. I just have no clue how it will all really turn out. One of the elements of the adventure I'm undertaking is that I want to be open to where life takes me and be light enough to move along with that current. I also want to become more at peace with uncertainty. After all, openness to the unknown can lead you to the places you never knew you needed to be.

I will embark on my travels in earnest on October 23, and yes, I know where I am headed, at least through the month of November. I'll share more details about that soon.

So, here's the loose plan for my activities:

1. Be All Artsy and Stuff

First and foremost, I intend to devote more time to making art. I have found it to be very difficult to immerse myself in my personal creativity when I am spending significant energy and time using it professionally. I hope that the beautiful places I intend to see further inspire this work and that some kind individuals will see fit to purchase my creations to enjoy. I envision many days of hiking all day and painting all evening.

2. Contract Marketing & Fundraising Work

How will I sustain myself? I have a modest amount of funds to float me for a while, but I'm also offering my skills for contract marketing and fundraising work with not-for-profit organizations through FansToFunds.com. This will enable me to focus on my greatest professional strengths such as graphic design, creative writing, website development, social media consulting, photography and short video production, and grant proposal writing. Some of this will require me to be geographically available, but a lot of it can be easily accomplished remotely.

3. Donate My Time

In addition to paid contract marketing and fundraising services, I intend to connect with not-for-profits along my travels and offer a limited amount of my services on a volunteer basis. I am excited about both being able to contribute to the great work that is being done by so many groups across our country and the relationships and experiences I will collect through this endeavor. For that reason, I included on my website an online application for those organizations interested in applying for donated assistance.

Only time will tell what the next year really ends up looking like, but here's to a year of recharging, reinvigorating, and reimagining!

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"Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." ~Jacob Bronowski

1. Be All Artsy and Stuff

2. Contract Marketing & Fundraising Work

3. Donate My Time