Well, hey there! It's been a hot minute since I last put my fingers to keys and typed out my thoughts. You've probably been wondering where I've gone, and honestly, tracking my own movements has been a bit like Where’s Waldo! But here I am, back with another tale from the roller-coaster ride that is my life.

This story begins with a goodbye. It was a teary farewell to a small, cozy house that had served its purpose in my life, filled with memories, yet no longer large enough for my dreams. In its place, I sought a forever home, a canvas on which to paint the next chapter of my life. What I found was a charming 98-year-old Florida home, a cocktail of Spanish mission, bungalow, and Craftsman architecture, dripping with character, and equally teeming with challenges. 

Leaving my old studio behind felt like severing an umbilical cord. The last pieces birthed there were for the 2022 4 Squared Makers Exhibition and a sculptural work for Always a Bridesmaid, at Carrollwood Cultural Center. Amidst the disarray of moving, pieces of the sculpture went AWOL, turning the drop-off into a comedy of errors, with a car full of boxes, and a sculpture in last-minute surgery. 

Entering my new abode, we were greeted not by the warm, welcoming rooms we had carefully perused and purchased, but a perpetual construction zone. Amidst the dust and chaos, my art took a backseat, like an old friend promised a visit 'once I settle down'. My tools and supplies were lost in a sea of boxes, my creative space swallowed up by this construction monster. Fourteen months later, I've got clothes still in boxes, and a journey that has twisted and turned like a labyrinth.

One such turn led me to a summer of 2022 revelation: the fascinating realm of artificial intelligence artwork. A friend's invitation to an outdoor art event saw me diving headfirst into this pool, creating 60 pieces of AI art for the Art Crawl event in Lakeland. I'll be spilling more about this AI art journey in the upcoming blogs, but suffice to say, it has been an enlightening ride.

So, where am I today, you ask? Indeed, I ask myself this often! Let me paint you a picture. My new home now hosts a tri-room studio space: a supply room that occasionally moonlights as a painting space, a main studio for gold leaf work, matting, and framing, and a 'digital editing suite' (if you're generous enough to call a large closet a room). Then there's the inventory room, and trust me, this one is actually a room, thankfully!

Apart from physically shifting spaces, I've navigated through the realms of digital marketing. What started as a part-time gig in copywriting blossomed into a full-fledged journey into the captivating world of marketing. And you know what? It feels like coming full circle. 

Whether it was considering a career in marketing, convincing the students I taught that knowledge is the product they can't live without, or marketing library services and art programs to communities, marketing has always found its way into my life. To me, marketing has always been a bit like being a modern-day bard, conjuring fantastic stories that transport and persuade. And now, with artificial intelligence reshaping the marketing landscape, I find myself at the edge of a revolution, with AI artwork as my companion. 

Fast-paced and thrilling, the digital marketing world is a non-stop race, but one I'm more than happy to run. I'm enjoying the comfort of being both a digital marketer and an AI artist, even though the landscape is constantly shifting under my feet.

Currently, I'm re-forging my path as I work on my own marketing strategy. Teaming up with a digital marketing professional, I am mapping out my artwork's future, devising strategies and plans, prepping for podcast content, and even gearing up for my own ads. And though handing the reins of my social media off to someone else is a challenge, it's a step necessary for me to focus on my art and explore new horizons. 

So that's it – my chaotic, beautiful, whirlwind of a journey so far. A path filled with trials, triumphs, and endless learning. Through all the twists, turns, and roadblocks, I've kept moving, carving my own way. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about – the journey, not the destination. And this is mine.