My Natural (i.e. epidural-free) Birth Process

In grad school I had a classmate who, during our graduate Creative Process art studio course (for which this blog was initially created for), documented her pregnancy as a project and pointed out the issue of how so many birth stories are similar to skipping stones over a pond. Often told simply: "Well, I went into labor, we went to the hospital, I was in labor for x# of hours and then baby arrived!" There is so much that is not shared. Taboo? Possibly. That doesn't seem very fair, however, to all the women (and partners!) who are wondering what to expect.

As the time came near for my own baby to be born, I pushed aside all the natural birth stories I had read and focused on my own pregnancy, as I realized that no matter how many stories I heard or read about (and there were several), every single pregnancy and birth experience is different. Please consider this as you read on. I am sharing our story here both for my own processing as well as a possible support for others.

Disclaimer: My decision to try to have a natural birth is not a judgment on how you or any other woman has given or plans to give birth. Please do what you feel is best for your baby and body. As they say in my OB's practice: Healthy mom, healthy baby. I reminded myself late in pregnancy that my goal in getting pregnant was to have a healthy baby, not a natural childbirth.

So here it is... my natural (i.e. epidural-free) birth story.

First things first. I had no complications during my pregnancy until 37 weeks, when I developed gestational hypertension, with no (personal) history of hypertension of my own pre-pregnancy. My OB placed me on modified bed rest, with a blood pressure check and fetal monitoring every three days. At 39 weeks or so I was 1 cm and 50% effaced. At 40 weeks, it was the same story. Pretty normal. And of course, on my due date so many well intended loving friends and family asked "ARE YOU IN LABOR YET??" because that's how labor works. Hah! Two days after my due date had passed, my blood pressure was especially high, and unlike previous visits it did not go down after resting in her office. Awesome.

My OB said to me, "I want you to go home and get your bag, and come back to Labor and Delivery. We will start you on a pitocin drip to begin consistent contractions. Often women's bodies will begin labor on their own as the dilating progresses."

Not going to lie, I was a bit scared. Of course this was "not how things were supposed to go", as I had always imagined what it would be like to go into labor naturally. However, it was what it was, and the goal--always--was to keep baby and myself healthy.

This quote came to mind and significantly helped during this time:
Slow down
Calm down
Don't worry
Don't hurry
Trust the process
-Alexandra Stoddard

I called my husband--let's call him Hubs--who left work and met me at home. Grabbed our bags. Headed back down to the hospital. I was checked in and we expressed to the nurses, as we had to my OB, that if medically possible, I preferred a natural birth and did not want to be provided any pain medication unless I requested it specifically. An IV was placed and I was started on a pitocin drip around 1:30pm to begin consistent contractions.

 Here we go!

24 hours later, nothing had really happened "down there". I was still 1cm/50% effaced, despite attempting to assist with sitting on a birthing ball and laying relaxed on my side on the hospital bed. I was not in pain--they felt like the Braxton Hicks contractions, just consistent tightening and loosening of my abdomen. Since my body was not "picking up" into hard labor and my water breaking as they had hoped, with my approval the house OB who gave no comment or emotional support of my efforts to have a natural/epidural-free childbirth came in and broke my water, as this would lead to active labor and definite hard working contractions.

And immediately, it did.
Now... this is where both Hubs and I were so thankful that we had read Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. We were educated about not only the stages of labor, but the emotional signposts, how to relax focus best through hard contractions (and why), and how my husband could best support me emotionally and physically. It also helped to know myself and how (well) I tolerate pain.

I knew that screaming through labor would not relax me, regardless of what has worked for others. That's just not how I roll. The Bradley Method does, however, recommend visualization and focus. From what I remember, I sometimes visualized myself floating on a wave to help not only my muscles relax fully during a contraction, but to see going over the crest of a wave as the "turning point" in the contraction as the pain decreased. My focus was on my steady, deep breathing. No Lamaze stuff. Over time I realized that it took 10 deep breaths, both in and out, during the course of a contraction, which helped me gauge how far through the contraction I was. Sometimes I saw colors behind my eyelids as a result of the pain. Purple. Black. Grey. That was involuntary.

What stuck with me most during the labor process that the Bradley book mentioned was this:

Nature is kind.

After each contraction you are given a break to rest without pain. Knowing this, knowing that the pain was purposeful, and minding my breathing, all pulled me through. Hubs kept telling me that each contraction was getting us somewhere. No steps back!

In the thick of it, approx. 2 hours into active labor. Focus!

A few details I can recall from hard labor:
-Hubs kept encouraging me to eat to help with energy. Slushie. Jell-O. Popsicle. Couldn't focus on the popsicle to finish more than ~3 licks of it.
-The nurse that came on shift during active labor asked my husband what my profession was. She reported she speculated I was a counselor of some kind, and that I was doing really, really well with pain management. It meant a lot to me to hear her feedback.
-As I was laying relaxed with my eyes closed, my husband and the nurse both had some difficulty being able to tell whether or not I was having a contraction. I started saying "in one!" or would raise my finger for them to wait a moment, so they would know not to ask questions or touch me during that time. Hubs had to translate my answers to the nurse when I spoke during contractions, and I remember telling the nurse to please stop when she tried to move me or do something involving touching me during a contraction. Some women talk, etc. in-between contractions, but I just saved the energy and laid there like a slug. No regrets.
- Nurses would occasionally tell us they could give me an oral painkiller to "take the edge off the pain". Thanks but no thanks.
-Hubs encouraged me as well and reminded me of the progress I was making over time. He used the marathon analogy as he and I both run marathons: "Those centimeters are miles behind you, just a few more miles to go!" He pressed hard on my lower back during several contractions. I eventually asked him to stop, as I found I was tensing my muscles when he did so despite my efforts to relax them.

I had no clue what time it was, so I guesstimate that around 5pm I was dilated to about 9cm. During these last few contractions before "push" time, the muscles in my lower back began to contract as well, causing an involuntary "push". I remember saying to my husband during a contraction that I couldn't help it. I couldn't! I wiggled my toes during the next contraction in attempt to distract from the pain. Hubs reminded me to relax.

Finally it was time to push. Hubs was on my left side, holding my leg, while a nurse was on my right. It felt like I was taking the largest crap of my life and it felt so good. Somehow I did not actually push out any crap. I couldn't believe it (and still can't). Maybe I was constipated? Apparently when a woman pushes, the heart rate of the fetus goes down momentarily. Our baby's heart rate went down and then did not rebound as quickly as she would have liked, so attached a vacuum to the head [psh I'm not going to tell you the gender yet! You have to wait like we did!]
Side note: Does anyone else become mildly frustrated when people ask if you know what you are having? "We are hoping for a human baby but it could be a velociraptor." Truly.
But I digress.
I was also given oxygen in attempt to transfer extra oxygen to the baby. She also gave two shots to numb me, as I learned later she anticipated I would tear and would need sutures. She was right. My OB didn't tell me what she was doing--possibly to keep me relaxed and focused--but at that point I didn't really care what happened as long as baby was ok.

Hubs says I pushed for maybe 15 minutes. I didn't feel the tears, as the pressure of our baby's head cut off the circulation. The nurse told me to open my eyes, I was still pushing so hard. I looked up and saw the OB holding our baby. Hubs said, "It's a Liesel!"

We have a girl.

Hubs was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for our baby and our birth experience. So was I, however I remember just staring and smiling at her and Hubs. I had planned on immediate skin-to-skin, but it was as if I was paralyzed, in a daze. The nurse held her out to me and laid her on my belly. To this day I don't know if I felt I was outside myself and at that moment couldn't consciously make my brain and arms connect, if I was unsure of holding her...? Dunno. There's a photo of my hand holding one side of her and the nurse holding the other, but I don't even remember it. The nurse took her to the weigh table to take her vitals, weight, height, etc. while she screamed. Hubs followed and tried to have her little angry fist grasp his pinkie finger. My OB stayed behind to sew up where I had torn.

One of my high school teachers that I have kept in touch with told me a few years ago that he heard that giving birth epidural-free was comparable to the pain felt running a marathon. He is a marathoner, and I have also trained for and completed marathons. After experiencing a natural childbirth sans epidural, I can safely say from my experience that the pain is not [quite] comparable--it is more painful in a concentrated area that one cannot physically train for in the same way as one can for running a marathon-- however the mental and emotional endurance is. For me, at least.

Just like my history with training for and running marathons, I would definitely do it again--just not immediately :)

Hospital photo! 

At time of this writing, she is now just shy of 4 months old. We couldn't be more joyous of her.

Thanks for reading. If you are preparing for your own birth experience, I hope that our story was somewhat helpful to you!

**Special THANK YOU to our nurses and OB for your care**

Naturally becoming...

Two years since my last post? Eesh.

In the last post I showed a collection of the postcards I created for the Art Therapy Without Borders art swap. That process has stuck with me, and I am now wanting to create larger works from the same process.

Last year (2012) I created this:

Watercolor, ink, copper metal and paper/embroidery detail.

Embroidery + watercolor + drawing = TEXTURE *drool*

 ...and the year before (2011), this:

I recently came upon a local print shop that has a large scanner that can copy my paintings for prints. So stoked! I don't trust my camera for fine art prints, not one bit. Not even in a light box.

With this development, I expect a necessary name change for my Etsy shop to more fully describe my current items and to accommodate my painting/mixed media prints. When I created the shop, I was selling jewelry. Not my forte any longer, as I have found much more fulfillment (and success) in my artwork. Now... to decide on a name...!

My first quilt is also in process, made from my husband's signature hoodie. My first quilt! The details and photos will be in another post for another day.

I never formally left, but it's good to be back.

xx chels

Art Therapy Without Borders: International Postcard Art Exchange

For the past six months I have been participating in a postcard art exchange hosted by Art Therapy Without Borders (ATWB Postcard Art Exchange).  Art therapists and art therapy students from around the world have been exchanging postcards telling about their role as an art therapist and what art therapy means to them.
Here are the cards I have had the pleasure of receiving!

A lovely collection, yes! :)

*SPOILER ALERT* my postcards that probably have yet to be received by many...

Thesis has taken over my life for the most part, so I just now sent out all my postcards on the mail-by deadline date of April 15th.  International recipients may not get their cards for 2-3 weeks... but as today is 'reflection day' for the project, here are my cards to contribute:

Lately I have been entertaining my current theme/symbol of containment and boundaries in my artwork. 

I had several 4x11" strips of watercolor paper and painted each one. Each strip allowed for two postcards to be cut from it, resulting in pairs. No two are alike, but one can see where two may have matched up!

It has been a wonderful experience creating for everyone, as well as opening a small window to art therapists and students around the world and hearing your stories!

Thanks, all!

Introspection

Hello, all or none.  Two months have gone by since my last 365 entry of contour drawings.  I have still been drawing them, but have not uploaded yet.  I would say there are only so many times and ways one can draw things around the house when time is running short, but that would be a straight up misconception.

ANYWAY. I have noticed a shift in my brain lately, for the most part.  I have somewhat tucked in and become increasingly introspective.  I am still incredibly socially awkward and talk poorly as well as too much when wading through nervous social situations, but besides that I am a still pond.

When I began attending the art therapy program it was often said that the program changes you.  I just said "OK" and let it be. Well. It just might have changed me a lot.

Phil says he has noticed some difference in me over the last year. Maybe it's the program. Maybe it's moving to a new area with little social interaction. Let's just say... I think my social skills have gone the way of the awkward turtle. Regardless, it's another process among many that have taken place and have yet to come.

Back to thesis.

Project 365, Day 10-13

After being out of town for a few days (this will be a trend--a loving thanks to school), here are the contour drawings up to today:

Monday Jan 10 2011

Outside one of my practicum sites (not showing the building--they're the houses nearby)

Tuesday Jan 11 2011

One of my classmates during a break at supervision

Wednesday Jan 12 2011

My ear. I was impatient and rushed through it. I was also irritated.

Thursday Jan 13 2011

Our chinchilla, Alvin. Again, I was irritated and impatient when I drew this. 

Until next time,

chels

Project 365, Day 9

After I drew our camera, my husband was inspired and drew me cooking dinner.  This is quite special to me, being the first image he's made for me since we've been together (over 5 years since we began dating).

Peace,

chels

365 Project, v.2011

New year new year new year!

New project.

Many creative minds out there partake in a 365 project, where something with a similar theme is done every day (or almost every day), and documented. Click here for more ideas from Etsy

So many ideas, so difficult to choose.

This morning I decided to make a contour drawing of my husband while he was waking up, drinking his coffee while surfing the internet.

*click on images for a larger view*

I had so much fun making this I decided to make more...

*from left to right, going down: singing bowl, bird salt & pepper shakers, name pennant banner, cream & sugar, P & C wall hooks, one of Kara's wedding reception centerpieces (she wanted guests to take one home), and our Christmas tree*

This project is allowing me to return to my roots as an artist. I never painted or used much of any other medium on my own time (or in a formal class) until I was in college; it was always drawing.

*Images were drawn in a notebook that was used as a temporary reflection journal for my Development class my first year of grad school.  I've had the notebook for years and barely used it. It finally has a job!*

To make up for the last week I missed of the new year, I drew seven items around the house. Now, the goal is to do one contour drawing every day.

My project isn't what I thought it would be, but I am pleased with it.

Do you have any ideas for your own 365 project (if you choose to participate)?

Happy making,

chels

Sliding into January

Hello all.

It's been a while, approximately two months.
I finished my second-to-last semester of graduate school, sent out a few job applications (with no response from employers, even after follow-up calls/messages), and my husband and I celebrated our first year of marriage yesterday :) My thesis project seems to go slower when more people are involved it seems, at least with this project. As long as I can still graduate on time, I suppose I'm okay with it.

I'm eager to take up practicum again at my current site, and am still struggling with what my clients state they need and what I would like for them (i.e. product art vs. process art--they want the former, it seems!)  Regardless it's a growth experience for me, which is always a good thing.

A new idea for a substantial project is nagging me, involving symbols in my artwork working as a unit.  Quite excited about this one.  I better tackle it before I become unmotivated again.  Lately, fibers have been my muse.  Let the serenading continue :)

Etsy? ...Etsy!

I have been a busy, busy, busy, busy bee the last several weeks. I wish I could say it was completely related to schoolwork, but that feels like a fraction of time compared to the time I've put in to setting up my Etsy shop!

Enjoy :)
In the meantime, I must attend to my studio. My right-brain tendencies have taken over as usual, which means it looks like a tornado of sorts has hit my studio. Multiple times. Lots of making = everything else neglected, for me.

Double UP! Brief flowy shirt tutorial

For the last year+ I've been wanting to make a dress form to help me make my own clothes.  Thanks to Subversive Seamster, my DH helped me make one.  Major props to him :)

I have named her Janice (as always, the first name that comes to mind!) It's interesting to have a 'double' of myself that is now guarding my studio...

She helped me make a shirt this weekend:

Steps:

1.  Take two squares of fabric, put one on the front and one on the back of Janice, and pin the shoulders together (sewn together for about 1", leaving some slack in both the front and back for the neckline).  If you do not have a dress form, I suggest having someone help you with measurements.
2. Pin the sides together, hugging the torso, leaving the excess fabric on the sides to create flowy edges.  I left approx. 7" open from the shoulder for the armholes.  

Once everything was pinned, the fabric and I had a hot date with the sewing machine, and voila...

The fabric is a light jersey cotton blend.  It held up very nicely for the bachelorette party I went to that night :) (action photo to come soon!)

If I wasn't clear enough on the details, please comment with your question in case others are wondering the same thing! I will answer promptly :) I am a beginning sewer, but I'll try my best to help you out.

social psychology : me vs. 'the antisocial nod'

When you're walking down the street, and you are coming close to passing an individual, do you ever notice what I like to call 'the antisocial nod'?  You're staring ahead (if you're not texting... sheesh), you make brief eye contact with the person you're approaching, they look down/dip their head (as do you, most-likely), then slowly bring your head back up and look forward as you pass. I've picked this up since I was in college and have noticed it to be pretty common in other cities in the good ol' midwest. Has anyone else noticed this?

For the past few years since I've been in and out of college and into grad school, I've tried to avoid this occurrence, at least on my part.  If eye contact is made, I might then stare ahead, but not look down, etc.  Not too much difference on the others' part. I just don't like being an ant and going my merry way, avoiding people.

While I was walking to the local hospital for a flu shot the other day, I decided to entertain my inner nerd again.

For every person I approached on the sidewalk, walking toward me, I would keep my head up, make some eye contact, and smile a little but not say anything. I would then look ahead (don't wanna be rude, right?) but not completely disregard the person.

Most of the time, people did the typical 'antisocial nod' and avoided eye contact. One lady said hi, but she also was walking two dogs, and it seems that people who are walking dogs often are sociable to others on the same sidewalk, being apologetic for their dogs barking or sniffing, etc.

One person however surprised me, and my assumptions proved me wrong about this individual.  I find myself to be fairly multiculturally aware, but I assumed this individual would do the 'nod'. He appeared to be hispanic, was wearing a black 'do rag, saggy pants, you know.  

He said 'hi' to me.  Then I replied with a 'hi', and we passed each other, going our separate ways.

He was the only person who said hi... the person whose appearance, in our white-dominant culture, would have probably made people assume he might be the most antisocial person out there in comparison.  I passed numerous hospital staff, students, and other pedestrians on this walk, and he was the one.

I love when people prove me wrong.

:)

canvas card + 'genius' envelope tutorial

I've been meaning to send snail mail to folks that I don't see often (i.e. we only communicate through Facebook as of late), and I want to change that.  Today was the first step.

Thanks to inspiration from JournalGirl, I decided to experiment with canvas:

I gessoed the outside to make it more sturdy and less permeable, then decorated with stamps and staples.

Added a notecard on the inside to (again) make more sturdy and provide an easier writing space.  

Next, I sewed the notecard to the canvas (it can be attached other ways, like staples, eyelets, etc.)

...but this is what I'm really excited about.

I know how to make an envelope, but anything I tried to do just didn't seem to go with the card.

Steps:

I took one large notecard, cut a 'V' shape close to one corner, threaded through a strand of yarn and glued to the card with rubber cement.  

Without thread in the sewing machine needle, I made two rows to create a perforated 'edge' to allow the envelope to be torn open easily without damaging the card on the inside (kind of like a gum package wrapper or padded envelopes you can buy).

To seal, I placed the card on the inside and sewed the cards together around the edge.

Voila!

:)

Still figuring out how to make a set of cards to put on Etsy; it doesn't seem possible with the sewing-shut part. 

Will have to experiment.

Small Art PenPal Swap: This Just IN!

Hello hello hello.
When I got home last night, Phil said to me, "You got a special piece of mail today. It's as 'Chelsea' as you can get...!"
Thanks to poor lighting, I waited until this morning to take more photos of the awesome work by the lovely Marya...

envelope...

envelope...!

inner envelope

some words of inspiration :)

small art!

...and a recipe for veg. pasta salad :))) love love love.

Go and check her out!

When JournalGirl posts all the project participant photos from *around the world*, I'll let you know!

Cheers,

chels

kitschy and substantial...?

The past several weeks I have been discerning my artwork, kitschy-craftiness, and how to make both more substantial. I love repurposing and remaking for less what I see in a store... however, it never seems to result in something that could be lifetime quality, let alone heirloom material.

I want to make something like that.  I want to do this without having to become a metalsmith (even though that would be a m a z i n g).

How to transform my work?  Can it be the way it is yet higher quality?  Practice practice practice.

*

Also, I have figured out why I haven't been working on the scrapbook documenting the engagement photos and the wedding day of Phil and me.  The day was wonderful, we were (and are!) so happy!  I've bought a photo album and have some ideas for color schemes and layouts... What is holding me back is that we're not fully pleased with the photos.  Some things were out of our and the photographer's hands, some things weren't, and there's me (I can be very critical of how I look in photos).  As a creative person, I suppose I'm aggravated that I did not see more options or had more ideas for shots on either of those days... but being in the moment, it is difficult to be the outside observer.  Conflicting emotions.  Always conflicting emotions!

It is what it is.

I will get to it soon.  May it be sooner rather than later.  Perhaps over Christmas break as a reminiscing activity, since it will be close to our first anniversary :)  Another reason to continue cranking away at the thesis!  May I transform my thinking and remember there is no past in regards to photos. They are what they are and it is up to me to remember what they are documenting and cherish that.

Priorities

Ever get that feeling of being overwhelmed with creative inspiration, almost to the point of feeling immobile? What to do first?! It's so good, it's bad.

There are so many coming my way, either self-created or inspiration from another, I don't know where to start. One idea nudges its way to the center of my attention, only to be pushed away by another as soon as it arrived.

It doesn't help when my schoolwork is constantly tapping me on the shoulder.  There is a time for art-making, and a time for school. One must come before the other, but who said one always had to be first?

The best way for me to organize these ideas, regardless of whether they are ever executed, is to make a list:

• postcards...
• bag tapestry (in progress)
• birthday/Christmas gifts
• commission painting
• art journal (personal) - make and create
• wedding photo printing/scrapbooking
• de-apple kitchen, one apple at a time... without landlord noticing (in progress)
• rosette pillow
• canvas crafts
• gift painting (in progress)
• group art projects

*Q: What helps you keep track of new inspirations/ideas for creativity? 

*Q: If one idea is passed over long enough, does it stay on the list or do you drop it?

Practicum journal update coming soon...

Small Art PenPal Swap Preview & New Journal Cover

The Small Art Pen-Pal Swap, hosted by Samantha Kira, is underway! Here's a small peek of what I have to contribute (great idea, Kelley!):

*click to see larger image*

I will post more photos when I receive a letter from my pen-pal, as well as a link to the site where Samantha will post full documentation of the entire swap!

In the meantime, I decided my practicum art journal needed a new cover. I had doodled on the original cover and feel I've outgrown it a little... It's still there! Just underneath.

See you again soon...

-chels

Practicum Art Journal: First 3 weeks

This semester I started my first practicum with adults.
Posts from now on will most likely be only one journal image. Since I fell behind, it's a mega update!

Week 1: Transitional phase
In my frustration and uncertainty, I remind myself that new places always come with this and it is not specific to this site.

Week 2: Creating a space

New art materials were purchased, and since the art space wasn't available to start group I took the time to organize. Would be preferable to have the space ready before it starts anyway, right?

Week 3: Rounding up the troops

Since the site is residential, my supervisor and I decided it was best to call the residents prior to group each week to remind them it was going on. At first I thought it was a little impersonal, but often the men can be protective of their personal space. That, and it's fairly common there to call and remind; the men seem to prefer it rather than someone coming by and knocking. I'm getting used to it:

Someday I will have a scanner that works. Until then, I am blessed with my camera :)

actualization

During the first year of grad school for art therapy, my classmates were assigned to research a symbol we have noticed in our artwork--an image that kept coming up.

Mine was a toy sailboat, with a red body, white sails, and a small red flag on top. It took me a few months to figure out where it came from, but it gave me clues. It was always very small in the middle of a large (and sometimes tumultuous) sea.

I made other boats as well, but they were always small and fragile [I would always realize afterward].

This theme went on for a little over half a year. I realized what it meant over time: it was about being separated from my fiancé by the Atlantic Ocean.  We knew when he would be coming home, it was just the longest and farthest away we've been from each other, and the lack of communication during that time apart really really did not help... hence the fragile boats.

Well.

Just the other day (about 1.5 years since his return) I was wandering around a craft store and passed a display of screen print stencils with a similar image to this: 

Beneath the symbols read "faith hope love" (anchor cross heart).

I had never thought of the anchor before, but in regards to our situation, we really needed to have faith in one another and our relationship.  When I envision our anchor it seems very heavy--almost heavy enough to capsize the tiny boats I had been making--but it was there.  

Somewhere in those tiny boats was our anchor. I didn't know it, but it was always there.

This is why I love the art, and will always keep track of my symbols as they change over time.  It's why I got my bird tattoo and why I intend to get a tiny sailboat in a large sea.  

My visual timeline.

Back!

Howdy, y'all. Been a long time!

Last semester was a pretty huge turning point in my becoming. I kinda dropped away from my social blog, my online gallery, and this blog (even though this one was for class documentation). In short, I'm much more upfront with myself about what I'm doing and not doing. No more excuses.

With the spoken and unspoken changes in my personal life, my online appearance has taken on a facelift as well:
Xanga
deviantART (will visit both for friend checkups)
This blog = yes.
Facebook = a given.
...new gallery... my work might be fairly 'amateur', but my previous gallery space isn't really doing it for me anymore, sadly. [Oh no! I just apologized for my artwork. Bad Chelsea!]

In addition to my creative process documentation, I intend to include art journal entries from my practicum experience as well. Like to keep the art stuff together.

And that's that.

Until next time, here's a very brief video I made documenting the development of my TeaTree.

Project 2, § 3: Saying goodbye

This was the second painting I've done (that I can recall) that was done with little view of the outcome. As stated in a previous post, I made a circle and went from there.

This 'little intention' to my work led this painting to be the first of my original paintings--not commission--to be sold! ...and not to a family member.



Since it's my first, I'm pretty excited about it.

Learning to trust the process has not only helped me feel better about my artwork and myself as an artist, but has been beneficial to me in a new way, hah!

The buyer asked if it were okay to be displayed on a wall without the hanging boats, and I said sure. It actually made me feel better he requested this, since I know the buyer. If I didn't I wouldn't care... but since that wasn't the case, I didn't want to run the risk of him seeing what was written on the boats lest he decided to open them in the future. Just weird.

All I have to do now is get a decent photo of it, because I don't plan to see it in real life again.

I feel almost like it's my message in a bottle. Spread the news, painting! Inspire someone!

That's all :)