Farewell, 2024

Chaos, Growth, and Gratitude

I survived my first year as a painter!

I have learned, grown, and made a whole lot of moody, colorful chaos along the way. If you had told me 12 months ago that I’d be here, reflecting on a full year of artistic endeavors, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are, celebrating the wild, wonderful rollercoaster that has been 365 days of brushes, paint, late-night creative bursts, and some truly baffling internet searches about how to price my work (seriously, what is the going rate for a painting of a mama cow and her baby??).

I owe an immense thank-you to my family, friends and community. You have been my backbone, my sounding board, and my biggest cheerleaders. Your kindness is unmatched! The messages, the shares, the words of encouragement — y’all are the real MVPs.

A big shout-out goes to the ones who truly deserve a medal for surviving this crazy year with me: my husband and sons. They’ve put up with paint e.ver.y.where, including on a few dinner plates when I needed an emergency palette, piles of sketches (also everywhere), and a mama more frazzled than ever!

And speaking of support, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my incredible parents. Without them, I’m not sure I would have survived the literal heavy lifting of this art journey. Not only did they generously offer an entire bedroom for storage, but they’ve also been my frame-building heroes. My father, with his keen eye for detail and his perfectionism that I swear has been passed down through the generations to culminate in heavy concentration in every bone in his body, has made sure that my paintings have the finest, most beautifully handcrafted frames possible. Each piece he’s built is a work of art in itself, and I’m beyond grateful for the care and craftsmanship he’s put into every single one. To my parents — thank you for not only helping me make my art have a beautiful presentation, but also for making sure that everything is stored, transported, and set up with precision and love.

A huge thank-you to the whole family for assisting in market set-up too. Whether it was hauling tables, organizing my booth, or making sure I had enough pens to sign my work (MOM!) because, of course, I always forget that. Their help has been invaluable.

I’ve learned so much this year, especially about the business side of art. Who knew there were so many moving parts? I’ve had my fair share of head-scratching moments!! And a few tears, too.

This year, I’ve grown not just as an artist but as a person. I’ve embraced vulnerability in a way I never knew I could…art tends to put your heart on full display and that hasn’t always been a comfort zone for me. There’s a weird sort of magic in creating something from scratch — it’s like putting a little piece of your soul out into the world and hoping it resonates with someone. And honestly, the best part has been seeing people connect with my work in ways I never expected. The idea that something I created can evoke emotion or spark a thought in someone else — well, that’s a feeling that no price tag could ever compare to.

So, here’s to a year of growth, chaos, and a lot of coffee. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this wild ride — your love, support, and patience have meant the world to me. And to my husband and sons, thank you for still laughing (and sometimes just nodding.)

To my parents — you’ve been my quiet strength behind the scenes, and I could never thank you enough. From frames to storage to market setups, I am beyond blessed to have you both by my side.

I’m excited to see what the next year holds — more learning, more creating, and more messes along the way. Here’s to another year, you guys!!

Jessica