Letting Go

Yesterday I made the decision to close my studio. As I try to convince my supportive customers that this a good move for me personaly, I'm trying to convince myself of that too. I have been burdened with the stress of running a business that needs more customers that my little town has to offer. It's hard, I totally love my actual shop building, I like how I decorated it, I love the view from the front window, looking down the street, but I don't love the worry of getting through another tough financial winter. So I'm better off right? Now I'll be free to make and sell my art, which I never had time to do before. And I have so many creative consulting jobs lined up, I'll be busy for a long time - bringing the creative touch to other businesses around town. It's a good thing - right? I just have to keep telling myself that. I'm still keeping my web store and I'll still be teaching workshops at different venues around town. Letting go is hard - but better things are coming, right? (sigh)

Exploding Whale

I live in Florence OR, and this is not one of our town's best hystorical moments.

Santa's Crib

Here's something fun my pal Amanda sent me.
Have a cool yule, all!

santas-crib.mpg

The Ramp

Sometimes life in a small town is so mundane, so hard, so rural. The same faces, rumors, etc. It can really drive you crazy. Unless you find something magical, something that you can fall back on when down in the dumps, all you think about is getting out.
Last night I stayed late at my shop, cleaning up after Ladies Night. I wasn't planning on staying, I was just going to throw the bulk of it in the sink and come back the next day, but I enjoyed puttering around, so I kept with it.
After all was neat and tidy I flicked off the lights and closed the door. I have a wheel chair ramp that goes down the side of my shop, towards my parking spot in back and I always walk that way. So on my way down the ramp, I hear it. It honestly stopped me dead in my tracks. The roar of the ocean. I was totally wooed by the thunder of the waves, crashing on the beach. I can hear it every night, but sometimes it just stops me and makes me thankful for where I live. It's that magic that keeps me hear.
I love walking up and down that ramp beside my store. In the morning, the sound of the birds is almost deafening. I've never lived anywhere that has as many birds as Florence. It's so cheerful and sweet sounding. The perfect way to start the day - and those crashing waves at night - I just love it so much.

26 Things: The Photographic Scavenger Hunt

While cruising the web this morning, I found this great project: 26 Things The Photographic Scavenger Hunt. Get your camera out and watch for the new list of things to shoot for December. It's great a great way to practice more artistic shots, trying out different settings on camera, etc... while giving you something specific to shoot.

If you do it, add your link to comment section so we can see.