Time flies when we’re in a pandemic!  How is that possible?  We are very restricted and not socializing personally, I hardly leave my home, and yet.... Every day I wake up and I’m amazed how quickly time passes!

Just yesterday I was hunkering down and worrying about toilet tissue, now I am worrying about selling art and if I do sell it… Mailing it and now something new.... how to apply state taxes.... aarrrrggghhhh.

But in the big picture all of these are very small worries aren’t they :-)   Well OK, maybe the toilet tissue isn't a small thing.
I am very grateful we are healthy and happy and secure. We are more fortunate than many and count our blessings every day.

Since we live in Alaska we are preparing for winter…
This means small things like outdoor tasks. Unhooking hose so they don’t freeze, putting up our outside holiday lights to bring a warm glow to our home. Changing out light bulbs inside because we need a lot more light in the winter. Pulling out our winter clothes and decor and exchanging closet space with summer clothing.  Although this year my standard apparel has been camo t-shirts and sweats... so I will now swap out my camo t-shirt for camo sweatshirts.  .

And it’s also time for soups. I love making homemade soup. I am not a cook by any means but I love the smell of soup simmering on the stove. And I love the smell of homemade bread but I haven’t made that in many many years. Too tempting. But maybe this year - sweats are very forgiving :-)

So back to my art…
I feel like I have done a good job with getting most of my items available on my new website, and on my new onlinestore at zazzle.com.

check it out:  zazzle.com/store/rhonda_scott_art/collections

And I think I’m getting better at coming up with catchy sayings for Instagram and Facebook posts daily…

Here’s my example for my first Calendar I’ve ever created for 2021. Let me know what you think :-)

Are we done yet??
With 2020 I mean....
Let’s jump start 2021 with my first Alaskan calendar.
Available at my online Zazzle site

Https://www.zazzle.com/alaskan_2021_calendar_by_rhonda_scott-158082049999054352

Now to jump onto my social media for the next few hours... 

Take care, stay home if you can.

And hug those you love. 

rs

In March, no one knew what to expect. For myself, I realized I needed to rethink every aspect of my business. Because Art is a business. It's great to create and enjoy the journey, but I need to sell my works in order to support my habit! And I love to share my beautiful creations with others who appreciate them as I do.

So I took advantage of this time to get all those business projects thatâ¦.. "one of these days, when I have time."
In the last 6 months, I reviewed everything about my art and marketing. I created a new website. I focused on utilizing social media more than ever. I learned a lot of new computer programs - which as most of you know, is NOT FUN for me. I learned to make videos and do live events, created my own zoom site, moved my painting classes to online and used Instagram and Facebook more productively. Flexibility and embracing change!! The results are fantastic and it is a shame it took a pandemic to get me off the dime.

Then, slowly but surely (it's ok to call me shirley - my favorite quote from "Airplane"), things started happening. Last week one of my very small studios called and placed an art order. AN ORDER!!!
I have not had a retail order since last year. At first, I thought they were joking. But they were not. They ordered a very small quantity, but it was MONUMENTAL (sorry for shouting, but this was HUGE) that they could actually sell something in their retail shop, which has been closed, minimally open, marginally openâ¦.etc., etc.. They have been undergoing the same transformation everyone else has in order to stay afloat. We partnered for a couple of co-promotions in support of each other in the Spring and the locals turned out strong. For thatâ¦we are grateful!!! Another silver lining!!

Then a few days later, other things started happening. A friend requested a commission. I sold a couple of pieces online. OMG!! Have we turned the corner?

And now one of my biggest shows of the year has affirmed we will have a First Friday. Not sure what it will look like - but she said we are going to make it happen. "We need something to look forward to. We need hope. We will do this!!" I LOVE ITâ¦

I can't tell you how grateful I am for all of my good friends, followers, and supporters. Many people helped by purchasing my notecards or small prints, some sent messages of support or joined my online art classes. Many liked and shared my posts, (which is very helpful) and others bought larger pieces. All of these are so much appreciated.

What's to come?? Who knows. But we made it through the first six months and life is good! What silver linings have you encountered?