This Summer has been an incredibly busy, incredibly fulfilling one.  Doors have opened I had no idea I would be able to walk through.  I have been working harder and harder and really pushing myself into new directions with both my art and photography.  Being an artist is all about producing work, pushing yourself to be more creative than the day before, the week before, the year before.  The weeks are going by quickly but I am certainly making the most of every single day.  I've said this before and it's so true, losing Tessa has given me this incredible surge of creativity, the strongest drive to work now more than ever.  After the initial grief and that painful sorrow eased its grip a little, I tapped into a different energy.  We have no promises for tomorrow so as long as I get a new day...I'm going to make it count, just like T did.  She worked so hard to reach her goals in the 27 years she had on this Earth and accomplished more than most of us will in a lifetime.  I loved her so much and love her still and the love she gave in return is my strength...she's my patchwork quilt.

A dream come true job for me happened last Friday.  I got to photograph Gov't Mule at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, WV.  Warren Haynes is one of my favorite musicians so when I got the call I was getting to shoot the show you better believe Angy was doing the happy dance! :)  It's one of those bucket list items for me that I actually got to check off.  I can't describe the joy it has brought.  Almost a week has passed and I'm still smiling about it.  Now I can always look back at the images and relive it over and over.  I love my job and I love my life!

It's a Sunday inside and thought I'd have a little blog time while I'm waiting for it to cool off outside before watering my garden.  This has been a very busy, very productive Summer so far and I'm feeling good again.  My art and photography have kept me occupied with lots of fun new projects and that's just the way I like it.  Since losing Tessa in April, I have found my groove once again and it seems the creativity is pouring out of me.  I see her beautiful smiling face watching over me and in everything I do right now.  I've added a lot of new pieces to my collection with small ready to frame prints, paper flower magnets, glass marble magnets and jewelry.  I've wanted to make jewelry for a really long time but wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I'm doing whatever inspires and basically letting that be my guide.  I've always been drawn to collage type artwork and I think that's what has made me such a "mixed media" artist.  I may paint something but then glue paper flowers or words to it.  I've been making a lot of pendants with my artwork and I love the look of vintage brass and using little embellishments like bees, swallows, dragonflies, engraved charms with words, locks and keys, old buttons, etc.  I am fortunate to have my girlfriends, Amy, Libby and JBird who are also artists and jewelry designers.  It's wonderful for creativity and brainstorming, I always learn something new when I'm with them.

I had a great family session this week with a part of my own wonderful family, The Ross Family ~ Bryan, Holly, Haileigh and Clifton!  We've been trying to schedule it for quite a while so I was really looking forward to it.  We had a great time in spite of having to change locations at the last minute (rain came earlier than forecasted!) and got a lot of great images.  Hope you all have enjoyed the weekend and have a great new week ahead.  Take time to count your blessings, tell those dear to you that you love them and make the most of every day.  Until next time...