Time to Fly South

Artwork packed and ready for shows next year.

I get bored easily. I mean, really way too easily. Doing the same thing day in and day out, living in the same place…. its always made me restless. I thought that as I got older, the endless need to satiate my curiosity and for novelty would wane. Hasn’t happened yet. I am really lucky to finally have a lifestyle that keeps me busy and stimulated (and for the most part out of trouble). We bust our butts for most of the summer working in an Ag-based business, which gives us the rest of the year to do other things. Like exploring and playing, which I consider to be work for an artist. Maybe not work that makes me rich, but really essential to the artistic process.
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And now it's that time once again to pack up and head out for the winter. The farm and businesses get buttoned up and everything that we can’t live without for the next five months is packed into campers. Going from 170 acres and several buildings to spread out in to living in a tiny house on wheels is a change. I switch from having a big studio to a few square feet with limited space to store supplies and to work. It challenges me to be organized and resourceful. 

All the artwork I produced this year has been packed and either shipped or is ready to go when I get back in the spring for next year's events and shows. Time to switch gears from big paintings and ceramic sculptures to watercolor, pastels and things that don't require much space. Hopefully I'll discover something that I don't even know exists yet. I love it when that happens!

I'm on a quest to find inspiration and creativity out in that big world. This year I'm making a point to search people out and connect with them so I can share what I find with you. Keep checking in with me and leaving comments. If you want to do something special to feed your creative self this winter, I'd love to hear about it!

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Karrie's Weekly Rabbit Hole

I don't know about you, but I am waaaaay easily distracted from whatever I am supposed to be doing. I fall down 'rabbit holes' all the time. Some of them are really amazing and I'm gonna share one each week with you. I promise no cats playing the piano or tiktok (unless it's really good).
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This week I found Helga Davis on this NPR interview. She's a wildly creative, smart, intense woman who interviews other creators and artists on her podcast, Helga. After listening to the most recent one, I'm hooked. Not gonna lie, I'm crushing on her a little bit. If you like podcasts, check her out!

Goodbye, windy winter prairie!

How-To....
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I spend A LOT of time alone on the road. There’s always an emergency kit in my vehicle, because you just never know. (And now, it's time for me to put on my 'mom hat', 'cause I care about you....) If you have a car you should have an emergency kit too, even if you don’t travel much. Heck, even if you don’t have a car, you should have one in your home. It is 2020, after all. It doesn’t make you a survivalist prepper. It just makes you a little more resilient and ready. Shit happens. So I’m going to tell you what I carry with me, and some basics that you might need no matter where you are in case power goes out or you get stuck for awhile.  

Bottles of Water
flashlight
matches
candles
extra blankets
paper and pencil
basic first aid kit
extra battery or charger for cell phone 

If you plan on a road trip, in addition to the above, carry these with you:
pocket knife
emergency blanket (the crinkly metallic ones)
energy bars, a can of protein (easy open)
chap stick, sunscreen
extra clothes like socks, gloves, hat
good walking shoes
waterproof jacket
moleskin for blisters if you need to walk
toilet paper, asprin or Tylenol, tampons, etc.

I've only needed to get into my kit once. We got stuck in the middle of a huge pile-up accident in a blizzard on Vail Pass in Colorado one spring. I was glad to have warm socks, gloves and some food!

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