Yesterday my birthday and at approx 3:20 pm I turned 24. Every birthday I always think about all the things that happened in that past year and potentially all the things to come . I like to think there's be some sense of accomplishment and growth, not just a stagnant turning of one's wheels gaining no traction. Overall 23 was quite a success and here's a bit of the details in review.
I focused my printmaking and redesigned my artist statement. All of which encouraged me to launch my own shop on Etsy under the title of Ardent Prints and the artist AP tying in with my body ink and my name as I had always hoped. We went to Santa Barbra. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together as our own little nuclear family. We may New Years Resolutions some of which have been kept( getting back into running) and some of which have been petering allow( re-learning Italian). I increased the amount of shows I took part in and sales made. My work was scouted and picked up by an art organization (RAW) which has lead to other opportunities. We saw many good friends leave the ship to new adventures but we've welcomed new friends too. We've gone to Sea World, Lego Land and the Safari Park.In June we celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. We went on a Ghost Hunt at one of the oldest and most haunted homes of America. My work was selected for a spot at the San Diego Spirits Festival. I was hired by a corporate coffee giant and after seeing their drone-ish ways left "the man". We've dealt with the constant ins and outs of the Navy. We saw Hawaii and what it had to offer from hidden waterfall hikes to surfing; windy weather and strange food. We've felt like real grown ups in a good way. There was a trip to the Grand Canyon and we were memorized on our 16+ mile hike. With Bently in tow we saw an unforgettable landmark. People have called me hippie dippy and an activist and a bit green and I take it as a good thing. Hiking became a new passion along with ocean water kayaking. There was an incredible night camping in the Mojave Preserve literally 13 miles from anyone. I was accepted into Graduate School at the Academy of Art for a Masters in Illustration. We fell in love with the idea of a winery after a visit and think of it's practical applications to our future lives. I was hired as a Gallery Manager- what I trained to do. We've cherished all of our moments together and made so many incredible memories. To say the least it has been a fantastic year full of milestones.
Like I said I look to what's to come and perhaps some expectations. This year Bently will get to see Ohio for the first time and I truly hope snow. I want more sales and notice on etsy, as any artist would. I am excited for the work with the gallery. It is nice to do what I was designed for(jeeze I sound like a espresso machine). More shows of course! Continue running and hopefully a half marathon before the next birthday. Really brush up on some languages just not sure whether to focus on German or Italian, ( I remember more German). Really enforce my natural ONLY product rule. Get some scholarships and such for school. See San Francisco and the redwoods. Teach Bently some novelty tricks, (in progress). Continue with the Naval ebb and flow but more importantly a little more flow and little less ebb. Time with family and friends and cherishing every opportunity.
Every birthday is a landmark. People hate growing old and I think of it as just growing, (maybe because I'm not old yet). I truly think though when you take it in stride, in review, it is far more enjoyable and satisfying than for those who think of it as a countdown or a timer. This yet has been jam packed full of events and I can only assume this next year will be as well. I don't know what's coming my way but that's half the fun. I looking forward to a little adventure- as life should be.
I focused my printmaking and redesigned my artist statement. All of which encouraged me to launch my own shop on Etsy under the title of Ardent Prints and the artist AP tying in with my body ink and my name as I had always hoped. We went to Santa Barbra. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together as our own little nuclear family. We may New Years Resolutions some of which have been kept( getting back into running) and some of which have been petering allow( re-learning Italian). I increased the amount of shows I took part in and sales made. My work was scouted and picked up by an art organization (RAW) which has lead to other opportunities. We saw many good friends leave the ship to new adventures but we've welcomed new friends too. We've gone to Sea World, Lego Land and the Safari Park.In June we celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary. We went on a Ghost Hunt at one of the oldest and most haunted homes of America. My work was selected for a spot at the San Diego Spirits Festival. I was hired by a corporate coffee giant and after seeing their drone-ish ways left "the man". We've dealt with the constant ins and outs of the Navy. We saw Hawaii and what it had to offer from hidden waterfall hikes to surfing; windy weather and strange food. We've felt like real grown ups in a good way. There was a trip to the Grand Canyon and we were memorized on our 16+ mile hike. With Bently in tow we saw an unforgettable landmark. People have called me hippie dippy and an activist and a bit green and I take it as a good thing. Hiking became a new passion along with ocean water kayaking. There was an incredible night camping in the Mojave Preserve literally 13 miles from anyone. I was accepted into Graduate School at the Academy of Art for a Masters in Illustration. We fell in love with the idea of a winery after a visit and think of it's practical applications to our future lives. I was hired as a Gallery Manager- what I trained to do. We've cherished all of our moments together and made so many incredible memories. To say the least it has been a fantastic year full of milestones.
Like I said I look to what's to come and perhaps some expectations. This year Bently will get to see Ohio for the first time and I truly hope snow. I want more sales and notice on etsy, as any artist would. I am excited for the work with the gallery. It is nice to do what I was designed for(jeeze I sound like a espresso machine). More shows of course! Continue running and hopefully a half marathon before the next birthday. Really brush up on some languages just not sure whether to focus on German or Italian, ( I remember more German). Really enforce my natural ONLY product rule. Get some scholarships and such for school. See San Francisco and the redwoods. Teach Bently some novelty tricks, (in progress). Continue with the Naval ebb and flow but more importantly a little more flow and little less ebb. Time with family and friends and cherishing every opportunity.
Every birthday is a landmark. People hate growing old and I think of it as just growing, (maybe because I'm not old yet). I truly think though when you take it in stride, in review, it is far more enjoyable and satisfying than for those who think of it as a countdown or a timer. This yet has been jam packed full of events and I can only assume this next year will be as well. I don't know what's coming my way but that's half the fun. I looking forward to a little adventure- as life should be. 
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