Life's Journey sometimes brings us down unexpected paths

Life's Journey through the past 4 years.

With the event of Covid (the big C) and the unknown beyond, it was clearly unsustainable to remain in an unusable space and continue to pay rent on brick and mortar. So, I packed it up and made a plan B. For a while, I embraced the virtual world but, in all honesty, it was not for me. I took a job as greenhouse manager which, for the first year was a good fit.... until... I suddenly found myself as general manager and for the next 2 years, I was working 60 - 70 hours a week and from the start it was clear my own business could not thrive, let alone exist in that situation. I had to set a 40+ year career aside and it was like losing an appendage. I did not mind the hard work or the job itself but it was not a functional situation. So, without going into detail, I had had enough. I had to make the best choice for my own well-being and liberated myself on what would be 1 year ago today. While it was the best decision I could have made, I didn't realize the emotional toll the situation took. It was months before I could shake off PTSD, months more to ease back into a quieter existence and to be kind to myself. Serendipity stepped in and, after randomly running into a friend, was guided to a new job with a healing hear

So here I am, reimagining my world. Air Borne Creations may have been sitting quietly in wait but now is the time to bring my business back to the forefront. At the moment, considerable time is being spent rebuilding my website. What path I take it down may be a bit different than before. I feel that with the introduction of AI, the art world has already changed. It is a fascinating tool but I wonder (out loud) how will this affect traditional artists like myself. With a mere few suggestions, I've seen some incredible work made in a matter of seconds. How does an artist compete with that? Price points will be dramatically lower for AI, digital copies, no overhead are a huge advantage to AI creators. God speed to them.

As for myself, I will likely offer many of the same services, with a larger focus on prints. I began working with wood during my hiatus which I love so there will be additional goods in the offerings. I feel, though that most of my focus will narrow down to conservation and my wildlife series. My carousel series will become a larger focal point as well, knowing that I already have a sustainable plan for that series. So, for now, it's good to be back. It has been a journey indeed and I look forward to Happy Trails ahead for all of us.