WOW

I'm having such an incredible time with my art - I've been doing art shows every weekend since the beginning of November - so busy but soooo rewarding! I'm selling art and just relishing in the recognition! Here's a pic of one of the journals I did.

Holiday Weekend Guests

We're having a great time. First thing we did was to hit Starbucks. Then walked around downtown Ensenada going from shop to bar to shop to bar, it was so much fun.

It's great to have friends and family visiting and showing off my new home!

Today

Well my new art creations are my new home. I'm getting ready for my first guests - Labor Day guests. I have never had an in-home art studio or a guest room. This is really exciting and I'm loving it.

I've got to get a few last minute things together - like a small coffee maker for my guests!

WCA SD President to be on TV

Jennie Bottoms will be on Community Artist Connection on Thursday, September 2nd at 9:30 p.m., channel 23 in San Diego and channel 18 in North County. Watch as Jennie talks about the Annual WCA Artist Retreat in Julian California!

Newest creation

What do you think?

Judging US Open Sand Castle Competition

On August 8th I'm going to be out in the sand at Imperial Beach judging the US Open Sand Castle Competition. This will be my 3rd year, it's so much fun!

The sand carvers will vie for over $21,000 in cash prizes and the title of Master's Champion.

It will be a long day, but it's so much fun. I'll be there from 7 am to about 4 pm, and you bet I'll be wearing really good sun screen!!

Come out and join me at Imperial Beach Pier as I walk up and down the sand looking at the creations as they develop.

Wow!

So much has changed. In January I became a Member at Large with the Women's Caucus for Art in San Diego after being the President for four years.

My resolve to BE the change I want to see in the world is manifesting! I had decided that I wanted to quit working in the legal field and to start doing art full time.

Financially, I needed to get laid off and retire to do that.

In March I got a 60 day notice. I was estatic! Not the usual reaction of someone getting laid off, but it was all part of my plan. I didn't want to quit because the company that I worked for had a great severance package based on the number of years of service and I had been there for nearly 13 years!

I had never thought that I would be able to retire before 65 and yet here I am retired at 60! All of the pieces are falling into place. I have moved to cut back on my monthly expenses, am now living like a queen plus I have a huge studio to work in!

My last day of working was May 15 and on that day I retired! Since the retirement I have moved, done two shows, sold 6 ceramic pieces, been invited to exhibit in a downtown gallery, asked to collaborate on a clay piece by a former art professor from Texas A&M and asked to teach sculpting. Not too bad for two months!

I'm loving this change.