6 November 2013 Journal Pages

I'm excited that I will be teaching at a new venue called The Making Place in Escondido this Saturday. I'm also really looking forward to teaching a brand new class called Cultivating You: A Journal Process this Sunday at Word is Art. Other plans for January include The Art Bar and a trek up North to teach in the Niles section Fremont. Good times! You can find out more about all of my classes here.

I found out on Sunday that one of my longtime stores, Ink About It in Westford, MA is closing this Spring. When I left the store after my class and drove down Route 225, I was thinking about how much I enjoyed teaching there. I was also thinking about my Dad and how he would drive me to class and we always went 225 and how much I loved the scenic road. I'll have to drive down there this summer with my Mom and Tristan. I will definitely miss teaching there.

Some folks will say that what I am about to write is sharing too much, but it's my truth and I always speak my truth.There is an expression that people often like to say, "when one door shuts another opens." In all honesty, I hate that expression. Really and truly. Every time another store closes, I am filled with fear and anxiety. Teaching is how I support myself and my family. It is my passion and what I love so very, very much. Some folks tell me that I should, "just get another job!" In all honesty, I made more money working as a 40 hour a week minimum wage bookseller at Barnes and Noble than I do in my 40+ hours a week of work as an art instructor but teaching fills my heart and my life with so much. I love my students, they are like friends and family to me. I am grateful for all that I am able to do and for those who take my classes and encourage me that I can keep on doing what I feel that I truly do best. For as long as I can, I will keep putting one foot in front of another and do what I love to do best.