I had a really fun year exploring art. I loved art as a kid, but it is not something I could really pursue with my chaotic upbringing. So it has been really nice to have room to get back to it. With my art/music room setup, I finally have space to spread out and do things, and then shut the door to keep the pets out of there.

At the end of last year I started a daily art journal, and I have kept it up pretty much all year with only a missed day here and there. Sometimes I make little pictures in it, sometimes I make full page spreads. I haven’t had the guts to try a full two-page spread yet, but maybe I will before it’s filled up.

I’ve really enjoyed using the journal to try new techniques and new mediums – watercolor, acrylic inks, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, gel pens. I’ve really felt good about the regular practice, and it’s a nice time to settle down before bed and draw something.

I did a few pieces outside of the journal as well, mostly following tutorials on YouTube. I really enjoy learning new things.

So the painting was going pretty well, I’m really happy with my progress. I also started doing some polymer clay figures. I started out with YouTube tutorials and moved on from there.

As I got to feeling more confident, things started escalating

And this latest guy is a bobblehead with a spring for a neck. He just sits on my desk, bobbing his head along while I type! I wanted his feet to bobble too, but the springs are a little stiff.

Lastly, since the Art Room is also a Music Room, there has been some nice progress in that area as well. Where I previously had to dig everything out and setup to practice, now I have a space that is ready to use all the time – I can walk in anytime, grab an instrument, and play. I’ve been doing online guitar lessons and really improved my rhythm guitar skills.

Earlier this year I went with my friend Michele to the used guitar shop downtown to look at guitars, and instead we found this beautiful Breedlove Concert Uke made of Oregon Myrtlewood. Michele tried it first and it sounded great, but she wasn’t looking for a new uke. I found myself saying ‘if you don’t buy it I will’, and I did! It has been a lovely addition to my collection. I love just grabbing it during the workday and knocking out a little tune. I even took it camping and played it during quiet time at camp. It’s perfect, and it sounds oh so sweet.

And finally, at the end of the year I went back to the used guitar shop to check out some electrics I was curious about. I bought a Telecaster at the end of last year, and it’s fine. I think maybe I don’t know enough yet to really appreciate it, since I’m still learning. Well, I tried out a bunch of guitars, but the first one I tried kept calling back to me, and I ended up bringing it home. It’s a beautiful Korean-made Les Paul from the early 2000’s, in a lovely blue. It just fit me, it felt right in my hands. I also bought a 12″ old amp from the 70s that had a lovely rich sound, so much better than my modern 10″ Fender practice amp which seemed tinny in comparison. The new amp makes both the Tele and the Les Paul sound amazing.

I joke about finding the guitar that has the music in it, but in reality I think I’m just going to have to keep practicing to get the music out. That’s just life. Anything good you want to do – painting or clay or music – you have to put in the work to get there. I have had a fantastic year getting there!