The twists and turns of life can be so curious and interesting. Throw the internet into the mix, and we can go places, reach places, know people in places that we might never have met, if it weren't for these intrawebs...
As an artist, living on a dead end street in a hidden little world, somewhere in a bizarre Arizona, the internet has allowed for miracles really.
It has allowed my art to travel to places such as New York, Virginia, California, Alaska- all over the United States, and as far away as Australia, Paris, Austria, Canada, Holland, Dubai and more.
This could have never happened without the internet.
As you are reading this, many of you feel the same way. Things you create traveling all over the world..
Heck, we all gather in cozy little internet spots, from all over the world, on a daily basis. Nothing short of miraculous.
Friends all over the world...
Peeks into far away places, and intimate visits into the lives of so many people.
People I have grown to love.
I feel connected to your lives, family members, furry and winged too. Lives change, and twist and turn, and there we are, living it in a way, with each other, far away -
And yet, so close...
I cried last night as I read Alicia's post. In fact, I couldn't even eat dinner, I felt for her and Andy so deeply, and for that baby girl. I woke up with them, and baby, on my mind. Folks I have never met in person, yet feel for.
I laugh with so many of you, think about your children, your homes, your health, your kitties, your pups, your work, your happenings. Endless thoughts...
All because of the internet.
In 1994, when I was a freshman at the University of Arizona, I heard about people connecting in chat rooms on-line, talking to people all over the world. I wanted to try it. I made a friend in Belgium. It was exciting, unfathomable.
17 years later, the internet is a huge part of my life, greater than I realize at times. It makes it possible for me to even be typing these words to you right now, as you know, since many of you have your own warm internet homes.
To have a home in this space, where my doors are always open to you, is incredible to me.
It is such a wonderful part of my everyday.
Sometimes the fact that we can connect in such a way is taken for granted, just a part of everyday life. (until we lose internet service, and then panic sets in)
It is amazing.
But you don't need me to tell you that :)
My point to this tale?
About 5 years ago I stopped traveling.
I just plum stopped, when I once traveled to everywhere with my family.
Traveling, shopping, parties - social life at full throttle, stop.
I had changed.
My heart tune, was changing...
One day...
I simply didn't want to get on an airplane anymore.
Not a bus, or a train.
Not even a car if I could help it.
I didn't want to stay out late.
I wanted peace.
I had lived such a fast paced life, that I just wanted to be.
Full stop.
I quit my stressful job, I started a blog, I made art full time.
A little scary, but I had saved up a tiny nest egg, and plunged.
I officially moved to the country house.
I didn't/don't have cable, but I did get phone and internet.
I listen to a lot of radio shows.
I love them.
Music is constant.
I never turn on my cell phone.
I don't text.
We watch Netflix.
I garden, I paint, I try to keep a peaceful heart.
I love my pups and Mister Lovee.
I don't go dancing at discos.
I swing from a tree though.
I dance in my garden, and kitchen.
I sing really loud, but probably not that well.
I always have paint or garden soot on me.
I used to blow dry my hair everyday for work.
Now I can count the times in a year when I do so.
But.
And here it the big but.
BUT,
I get to travel all around the world, and visit with you, via my cozy chair.
And, I love it.
I do.
I don't miss anything, or at least, I don't feel like I do.
And, in such cases perception really is the ticket, isn't it?
The bonus is that, from time to time, my art gets to travel.
The little faces that are my heart and soul, get to go to all sorts of places (near and far), when someone gives them a home...
Adventures a plenty, if they are lucky...
It is always hard to say good-bye...
But sometimes, you get word that they are doing great, and love their new home...
Really, it is all you can hope for.
But mostly, if someone gives your art a home, it is because they feel a great connection with it. Almost like, it came from them. At least, that is how I feel about art that I have in my home, created by other artists.
This leads me to the tale about an art voyage to Dubai.
Over the last year or so, a handful of my paintings have made their way to a beautiful young woman named Sophie, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Sophie Katirai is owner and CEO of a an amazing shop called Sophie's Closet.
I was overjoyed to find that, not only are my paintings happily living in Sophie's beautiful world, but because of Sophie's company and home getting so much press in Dubai, two of my little girls were published.
And so, the internet allows for more exciting twists and turns.
Violetta seems to be beaming with excitement...
She joined Sophie in Emirates Home Magazine (Sophie's home is on the cover)...
I love the florals, yumm!
So wonderful to see Violetta, more than happy, and oh so well, living with Sophie!
This was so exciting to see, and I am so happy for Sophie. She is one of those super duper kind people, plus hard working and always busy with wonderful shop projects, so inspiring.
Then -
As if that wasn't already good news, Sophie wrote me to say there was a 2nd publicaiton, and that Camille was pictured in a Dubai magazine called Grazia Interiors, which also featured Sophie's home and business.
And so, while I like to stay put, on my little parcel of land, some of my girls are seemingly having a blast on their voyage to Dubai..
I bet you thought I was finally getting on a plane again, and going there myself?
Not quite, but, it seems Violetta and Camille are having a marvelous time with Sophie. And that makes me smile from ear to ear. It is all you can hope for, when you put your heart and soul into your art.
I have made beautiful friendships with many people who own my artwork. It is like, we have a connection found through the art itself.
But then again, it was the art that connected us in the first place...
Funny twists, funny life.
You never know where it might lead to?
I am just glad, it led me here.
Blogland.
Almost better than Wonderland.
I can't imagine never having gotten to know so many of you.
Let's keep having a blast!!
There might be some stinky days thrown in there, but let's shoot for mostly a blast, deal?
Love, Vanessa
