It's been a while since I last posted, and there has been a lot going on. For a moment I began to wonder if writing these blogs even did anyone any good; the folks I hope to encourage. I wondered if I was being redundant and if there was any progression. I found out from a few that writing these blogs are useful/ helpful, and if there is even one person that I can encourage by sharing my own lessons, it is definitely worth it. So, here it is...
In the past month or so, I've mostly been working with the custom framing, no longer training. After I left Bally's, I wanted to focus on my art and really start researching how to make money as an artist. The minute I changed my focus, things fell into place once again. I've had ample time to paint and being that I deal with artwork everyday, almost instantly people started chatting me up about galleries and artists. It must've been a day after making the decision to focus on painting that a woman came into the store, recently moved to Seattle from L.A, and told me about a gallery in the area that was having an opening for anyone with $15 and a 12x12 image. I immediately went home to research it and got painting. In short, the opening was at Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, WA, and was VERY exciting. My brother even bought a piece from me! It was my final goal attained. I moved here to get back to the true Kelli Nicole and find confidence in what my passions are and what sets me apart. The training is/ has been very successful and so has my art.
Now for the major update- I'm moving to Florida on December 28th. The one-way ticket has been purchased and I know my new address! Why Florida? Well, in short, my girlfriend is there. Anyone who knows me, should know by now, or at least since the first move to Philly, packing it up is not a big deal to me. Initially, she was going to move here, but the more that time has passed, I've realized I don't like being so far away from family and friends and pretty much everything that I could easily get to in a day-trip. From here, it would be a weekend before I got to the destination. I'm not moving back to Michigan, but if I needed to get to my family (parents), I could still get to them in the same day. So, even though Clem offered to leave everything behind, I knew that if I wasn't 100% in love with EVERYTHING about this beautiful place, I wasn't going to ask her to leave everything behind. Maybe just the fact that she offered/ insisted was enough.
Not everyone is happy about my departure, considering how well things have been going here in WA, but it's not about the place. I realized so many things about myself and my capabilities with a little bit of confidence and focus, that it doesn't matter where I am. What matters is where my head and heart is. Yes, there were plenty of opportunities here, but had I not taken advantage of them, I would be none the wiser. It is who we are and what we are willing to do in our pursuit of success, however you define it, that will make an opportunity show itself. In one year, I did everything I came here to do- no connects, no history here, just the comfort of my brother and sister's support. By believing in my plans without having to know the beginning and end, finding my way around and simply showing up ready to do whatever it took, it all worked out. I plan to do the same in FL.
I'm not just moving for my relationship. I'm moving to begin the life I desire, now that I have all of my tools. 2011 was like, Kelli 101, now I'm going to the next level, and I happen to have someone I can share the next level with :) I am ready to shoot off like a rocket.
The next post will probably be in 2012 after I settle in a bit, but the plan is to continue with the training, continue painting, open my own gallery and have shows regularly. Stay with me, and I'll be sure to keep you posted!
We motivate each other, and I appreciate every bit of love and support.
