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2026 - Hope is an Action Verb
Hope. 2026 brings hope. We must hold on to hope, to doing, to engagement, to each other. The work must continue challenging as it is at times. We must continue to "do our little bits of good". For me, art is one of those ways to hold on, though I must admit that it's been a struggle to create work over that last year or so.
I'm not one for resolutions or goals. Yet this year, well actually, at the end of last year, I was invited to join "The Nudge Club". It's a group of professional artists from the Adrian Center for the Arts who meet once a month to support each other’s practices - to give each other a little accountability poke. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's been struggling with roadblocks to painting: jammed studio space, no schedule, procrastination, sadness, stuck, blank canvas syndrome, bored, fear, self-criticism, bookkeeping woes... So I joined. We've met twice, set a goal, and action steps. Each month we meet to review the goal and action items.
In the spirit of the club, here is my goal for the year: bring joy and fun back into my painting process.
Say what!? Isn't being an artist pure fun? I can say: not all of it. Part of the joy got lost in the mire of having to report taxes. There is a lot of detailed bookkeeping/accounting required as a small art business. It eats a surprising amount of non-fulfilling time, yet, on the upside, being a small business can offer significant tax benefits. Thinking about the money-side of being an artist can be a turn-off. Don't get me wrong, it's a thrill when someone appreciates my work enough to want to purchase it. And I've given away a good chunk of my work too. But art supplies, exhibits, classes, shipping, entry fees are not cheap. My art financial goal is to make enough income so being an artist is affordable to pursue. I have grappled with just treating my work as a hobby and taking the tax hit. But with the cost of supplies and the tax burden, that didn’t feel like a very good financial decision. So the fun took a hit the last couple years. I've learned a lot about accounting and record-keeping. I found a very helpful bookkeeper who graciously went through my books and explained some of the confusing parts (like tracking inventory, actual cost of goods sold vs. cost of goods). In addition, Hannah Cole, an artist/tax consultant that I follow online, just came out with a book called Taxes for Humans. It was a Christmas present to me. As a result, I'll be taking in more of her tips. Keeping up with my receipts and costs will be key again this year.
My hope is that this year paperwork feels less burdensome and mind=sucking. My hope is that through little nudges and a wonderful art support group, paint will be pouring freely again. My hope is that once again, I feel the thrill of watching colors mix on the page. My hope is that you and I notice the many moments of love, kindness, and beauty that still surround us even during troubling times, knowing that 2026 brings hope, knowing that HOPE is an action verb.
I'm not one for resolutions or goals. Yet this year, well actually, at the end of last year, I was invited to join "The Nudge Club". It's a group of professional artists from the Adrian Center for the Arts who meet once a month to support each other’s practices - to give each other a little accountability poke. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's been struggling with roadblocks to painting: jammed studio space, no schedule, procrastination, sadness, stuck, blank canvas syndrome, bored, fear, self-criticism, bookkeeping woes... So I joined. We've met twice, set a goal, and action steps. Each month we meet to review the goal and action items.
In the spirit of the club, here is my goal for the year: bring joy and fun back into my painting process.
Say what!? Isn't being an artist pure fun? I can say: not all of it. Part of the joy got lost in the mire of having to report taxes. There is a lot of detailed bookkeeping/accounting required as a small art business. It eats a surprising amount of non-fulfilling time, yet, on the upside, being a small business can offer significant tax benefits. Thinking about the money-side of being an artist can be a turn-off. Don't get me wrong, it's a thrill when someone appreciates my work enough to want to purchase it. And I've given away a good chunk of my work too. But art supplies, exhibits, classes, shipping, entry fees are not cheap. My art financial goal is to make enough income so being an artist is affordable to pursue. I have grappled with just treating my work as a hobby and taking the tax hit. But with the cost of supplies and the tax burden, that didn’t feel like a very good financial decision. So the fun took a hit the last couple years. I've learned a lot about accounting and record-keeping. I found a very helpful bookkeeper who graciously went through my books and explained some of the confusing parts (like tracking inventory, actual cost of goods sold vs. cost of goods). In addition, Hannah Cole, an artist/tax consultant that I follow online, just came out with a book called Taxes for Humans. It was a Christmas present to me. As a result, I'll be taking in more of her tips. Keeping up with my receipts and costs will be key again this year.
My hope is that this year paperwork feels less burdensome and mind=sucking. My hope is that through little nudges and a wonderful art support group, paint will be pouring freely again. My hope is that once again, I feel the thrill of watching colors mix on the page. My hope is that you and I notice the many moments of love, kindness, and beauty that still surround us even during troubling times, knowing that 2026 brings hope, knowing that HOPE is an action verb.
2025 in Review
2025 was a year to remember for so many reasons. Some might even say the year was "unprecedented".
From an art perspective, 2025 was a humbling and exciting year. It was full of events, rewards, and support that still stun me. You might say that art saved me this year. Hopefully, art offered you comfort, smiles, and hope in seeing that beauty around us still exists. A recap:
Taxes: Ahhh! I've been doing a lot of bookkeeping and learning how to do business taxes. Who has time to paint?
From an art perspective, 2025 was a humbling and exciting year. It was full of events, rewards, and support that still stun me. You might say that art saved me this year. Hopefully, art offered you comfort, smiles, and hope in seeing that beauty around us still exists. A recap:
- Daybreak I was juried into the 48th Annual International Watermedia Exhibition-Houston (Mar 4-29). It's also part of Ann Arbor's PowerArt project and can be seen on the powerbox at S. Seventh and Pauline.
- Nickels Arcade was awarded first place in Anything Goes exhibition at the Gutman Gallery. It was just juried into the upcoming Michigan Water Color 78th Annual Exhibition. See Exhibits page for detail.
- What a thrill to learn that my painting of Nickels Arcade was selected for the cover of the April 2025 Ann Arbor Observer! The Observer is known for its monthly cover featuring an Ann Arbor scene painted by local artist. It's been a dream - that came true this year. I'm so honored to be included in such a long-held tradition.
- Anything Goes Award Winners Exhibition: And if that wasn't enough, the five Anything Goes award winners were invited to do a joint show March 7-22.
- Hangin' by a Thread 10 was included in the juried "Soul to Soil" exhibition at Art 634.
- Westside Art Hop: June 7-8th. It's such a fun art show. My heartfelt gratitude for the enormous support and enthusiasm you shared with me. I love doing this show and see you, making new friends. Mark you calendars for June 13-14, 2026!
- Sweetwaters-Washington Street: 3 person show. August 3-September 28, 2025.
- University Commons: Jumping Water Painters joint abstract landscape exhibit. May 8, 2025-August 29, 2025.
- Michigan Water Color Society - 78th Annual Exhibition-Janice Charach Gallery: June 8-July 23, 2025. Work: Nickels Arcade. Award: Merit & Legion Paper Award.
- Michigan Watercolor Society's Traveling Exhibition. The award-winning paintings from the 78th Annual Exhibition are traveling throughout southeast Michigan this year and next. I'm extremely honored that my watercolor, Nickels Arcade, is part of the show, having received the MWCS Merit and Legion Paper Award. See Exhibits page for locations and dates now through April 2026!
- The Jumping Water Painters reunited to paint at Ruth Gilmore Langs wonderful home on the Huron River. It's such an inspiring location. I was overwhelmed with gratitude to be and create there once again. Finding Gratitude was painted during the gathering. The group also put on two beautiful abstract expressionist exhibits this year at University Commons and at the Ann Arbor Senior Center.
- Ann Arbor Senior Center- October-December 2025. Joint abstract landscape exhibition with Jumping Water Painters. Work: Finding Gratitude.
- What a fun event - the first annual A2 Studio Tour. I was one of 22 artists that shared our art and process. It was so great to see so many friends and supporters come out on such an uninviting late fall day. It warmed my heart and hopefully yours. Be sure to visit it next year!
- Gutman Gallery's juried annual Holiday Market was another successful show. So many diverse and beautiful pieces of arts and crafts in the show. It was an honor to be invited again this year. Thanks to all who came out and supported local artists. The gallery continues to show several of my pieces along with limited edition giclee prints, and notecards.
Taxes: Ahhh! I've been doing a lot of bookkeeping and learning how to do business taxes. Who has time to paint?
2025 in Review
2024 has been such a uplifting year in terms of acknowledgement of my work and joining in fun projects. It feels a bit stunning, overwhelming, touching, exciting. After so many art exhibit rejections, this year has been once of several acceptances. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see some of my work and share your thoughts (see the Journey blog: Why Share My Work?).
A few highlights:
A few highlights:
- Radio Interview: During the Westside Art Hop (June 2024) several of us were interviewed on WAAM radio by Edgar Hoffman! Click What a overwhelmingly kind interview. Edgar's love of art is contagious. Sorry for the abrupt start to the playback. See images above for referenced paintings. 'Play' (>) on widget below to listen.
- PowerArt! Project-Creative Washtenaw. Work: Daybreak.
- 2024 Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition, Muskegon Museum of Art. Work: Serendipity
- 2024 Women in Watercolor International Exhibition (online). Work: Serendipity. Award: Honorable Mention.
- 2024 Art Around Saline. Work: Daybreak.
- Saline Summerfest
- 2024 Michigan Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, Dennos Museum, Traverse City. Work: Daybreak.
- Trading Spaces Exhibition, Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City. Work: Wall of Tears.
- The Courtyard (UM Law Quad) was juried into the 200 Exhibition at the Gutman Gallery celebrating Ann Arbor's 200th anniversary. Argus Farm Market was invited to participate in the 200th Sister Show at the Ann Arbor Club.
- Along with fellow ArtBreak Studio volunteers, Delonis Shelter artists, and TreeTop Murals, I had the honor to help paint the new "Welcome to Ann Arbor" mural on the Huron Street railroad overpass. Check it out.