Brave New World Exhibit at the World Trade Center in Baltimore

Brave New World art exhibit by Tracey Grumbach at the World Trade Center in Baltimore

The following press release was just sent to local Maryland news outlets and I am pretty excited about this opportunity!

 

BALTIMORE, MD−August 20, 2019−Harford County artist, Tracey Grumbach, is currently showing 46 pieces of digital art in a solo art exhibit titled “Brave New World” at the World Trade Center in Baltimore.  The show runs through September 13, 2019.

This is the largest collection of Mrs. Grumbach’s work shown to date and features work from several of her latest series including Faceless, The Beauty Myth, and Growth Mindset, which examine human nature and the influences of the technical age on the human psyche.

Tracey Grumbach states, “This collection of art is my victory call because it was created over a period of several years out of a need to express myself during my battle with Chronic Lyme Disease. I felt silenced, not only from the effects of aphasia, which was caused by the disease damaging the language section of my brain, but also by the doctors and hospitals who didn’t believe I was suffering in such a severe way. Art was my way of reconnecting with a world that I didn’t trust anymore, thus the title of the exhibit, Brave New World.”

Mrs. Grumbach’s artistic practice is focused on combining traditional collage with photography and digital art, creating a unique look that each of the other disciplines can’t achieve on their own.

Mrs. Grumbach will also show her art in New York City at the prestigious LymeMIND Conference on October 19, 2019.

About Tracey Grumbach (www.nineacresdesigns.com)

Tracey Grumbach teaches art and photography classes at Harford Community College.  Her artwork has been seen in venues throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania, and has been published in national and international publications. She is also a member of Harford Artists’ Association. 

Tracey Grumbach in front of the Brave New World art exhibit at the World Trade Center in Baltimore

If you happen to swing by the exhibit, take a picture of yourself in front of the art and send it to me to be entered for a chance to win a free print!

I am so thankful to God for these opportunities to get my art and my story out into the world. 

Hello, New Year 2018

As 2017 passes into 2018, it is a time to reflect and a time to set goals. It has been a wonderful year in so many ways but also a difficult year.  There has been a lot of changes, a lot of "new normals" for all of us, but one thing that hasn't changed is the incredible amount of love of family and friends.

Mill in Darlington

LOOKING BACK-

In August, Brenna, our oldest daughter, moved out into her own apartment (with a roommate) in Florida and began her studies at Full Sail University. She is in an accelerated program and will graduate in 20 months with a Bachelor of Science in Film. So far she has completed 24 credits already and is carrying a 4.0 GPA. She has adjusted to “adulting” quite well and we are very proud of her. It took me weeks and weeks to adjust to the sadness I felt when she left, but through it all I knew my pride in her would eventually overshadow the weight of her leaving. She has made it through her first hurricane, adjusted to living on her own, and is rocking her academic studies.

Just as I was adjusting to Brenna moving out, our oldest son, Tyler, moved out in October. He moved to Exton, Pennsylvania where he is living in his own apartment (with two roommates) and is attending Universal Technical Institute to become an auto mechanic. He will graduate in about 2 years as well and will have 10 certifications under his belt upon completion. He is in his third rotation of classes and is maintaining high scores. He is working at a nearby auto shop and is learning the trade not only in school, but also while earning money. He and his girlfriend, Leah, have been dating almost two years. We are so happy that he has found a career he is excited about and that he is happily settled into his routine.  We could not be more proud of him! I felt another wave of sadness and emptiness when he moved out but as expected, we all adjusted to the new normal of a half empty nest.

Our twins are growing up! They recently turned 10 and are in 4^th grade. They returned to public school this year after homeschooling for two years and both are both doing very well with the transition. Zachary is into sports and played his favorite, baseball, this spring. Then, he played rugby for the first time this summer. He had tons of fun and we enjoyed watching him. He is currently in rec basketball and loves that as well. Natalie found her love this year…singing. She joined Deer Creek Youth Choir back in January and has been active in the program since. She has sung in front of hundreds of people at colleges and churches around the state. Both twins were baptized this year and we couldn’t be prouder. They are amazing kids with unique personalities. It is fun to watch them grow into the young people they are meant to be.

During all of these changes with our children, my husband was doing some transitioning of his own at work. His company went completely independent this summer and continues to grow my leaps and bounds. The growing pains this time around weren't nearly as stressful as in past years and I am thankful for his dedication and hard work every day to support us.

Y'all pretty much know how I've been through the year, but to summarize, I am still in treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease and co-infections although I just received the amazing news I will begin weaning off antibiotics in a few months. This past year I struggled with a jaw infection which I had surgery for and now I discovered I have the same infection on the other side of my jaw which will require surgery again in a few weeks.  I continue to pursue art and was the Featured Artist at Arts By the Bay Gallery in May where I showed approximately 40 pieces of art.  My art was published in two publications this year, one an international art magazine, Somerset Digital Studio, and the other a local magazine, Harford’s Heart. My work was also displayed digitally at the Ruderman Inclusion Summit in Boston, Massachusetts in November. In addition, I have been writing articles about living with Lyme Disease for The Mighty, an online magazine, and have had 4 articles published. In the coming year I look forward to teaching digital art classes! Praise be to God for all the wonderful blessings in my life. I am so thankful to Him for each and every thing.

Top 9 images from my Instagram account from 2017

 LOOKING FORWARD-

If you know me then you know I don't set resolutions per se, but I do choose a word to stand for the theme for the upcoming year. This year I am choosing the word "EXPLORE" for my theme. Some goals I want to set in relation to this theme is to explore more places (go places I have

n't been before), explore new ideas (take classes and read books to expand my knowledge in various areas including art) and explore more opportunities (look for new places to be published, new places to show my art, and new outlets to teach classes.). EXPLORE...I am so excited to make a large banner with this word and post it in my studio to remind me throughout the year to step out of my box, get out of my comfort zone, live life more.

Here's to a wonderful 2018!

The Keepers Keeps Your Mind Spinning

The Last Gasp of Winter-Altered Photography by Tracey Grumbach

With the many hours in bed resting my body during CLD (Chronic Lyme Disease) treatment, I have recently become consumed by the documentary showing on Netflix called The Keepers. It is about two former students of Archbishop Keough (now Seton/Keough High School, which is scheduled to close down permanently this month), who are trying to solve the cold case of Sister Catherine Cesnick's murder back in 1969. What they uncover is simply terrifying and mind-blowing, not to mention addictive for the viewer. Every episode I kept telling myself that this can't get worse and every time I was wrong; it did get worse. This case fascinates me not only because it has mystery, intrigue, corruption, love, murder, and cover-up but also because I grew up and still live in the Baltimore area and am familiar with the locations throughout the documentary.

To make it even more personal to me, I happen to know one of the amazing former students of Sister Catherine, who is leading the charge to get this case solved. Her name is Gemma Hoskins. Gemma was my teacher mentor when I first started teaching in Harford County. She was/is a wonderfully caring and smart person and I am honored to have known her back in the 90's. She sparked inspiration and excellence in me as a young teacher and I will be forever grateful for that.

If you have Netflix, I highly suggest watching this documentary by the amazing director, Ryan White, who put this together beautifully. As soon as an episode ended, I was craving more.

I chose to pair this art piece with this post because I felt it must represent the lonliness and helplessness the girls in this case felt during their teen years. I won't say more because I don't want any spoilers here for those who have yet to see the documentary, but after you watch it you will totally understand the feeling I was going for here.

 Have a wonderful week. xo

Long Shadows of Empirical Knowledge- Rural Landscape by Tracey Grumbach

About this image: Empirical evidence is the knowledge acquired by the senses and alludes to Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Anyone who has taken high school or college philosophy is familiar with the story of the shadows and the cave...a philosophical statement about solely relying on your senses to create a version of truth. As I was taking a walk with my kids the other day, I came across this scene as the sun was beginning to fall low on the horizon. I loved the way the shadows of the trees cast extremely long shadows across the winter field, causing stripes of golden-reddish brown and black. I also loved how the house over the hill was just peeping out above the ridgeline, partially hidden by the rolling hills of Maryland's landscape. This time of day is divine. Anyway, I digress...coming across the scene, I was immediately reminded of my college philosophy class so many years ago and the Allegory of the Cave. It struck me that the allegory was so applicable to today's world and how we choose to create truth only from our senses...what we see and hear. Now days what we see and hear comes mostly from the media. If one believes only what one sees and hears from the media, which many people do, then one is creating their own separate truth based on the "shadows" presented to them by the media. Of course, shadows are not true reality. The trees in this image were rather average size trees but because of the angle of the sun, the shadows reached far longer than their true height. Just as the bias and angle of the media creates a "truth" that differs from reality.

Just as I said the other day in a post, I think nowadays we have stepped away from our true nature and rely too much on technology to gather our truths. We are much further away from being quiet within ourselves to trust or even hear our own gut instincts. We are bombarded with "truth" 24 hours a day 7 days a week and it is all just noise. God created us with amazing instincts yet we are so far removed from that quiet voice within us that we can't hear it.

Anyway, this was not meant as a philosophy lesson, but rather a look into what my brain thinks about when I create. I really do see symbolism in almost every single piece of art, and this one is no different. Some see a pretty winter landscape, but for me, it represents something much more deep, as almost all of my art does. Sometimes when people come see me at the gallery and ask about the meaning of a piece or ask why I titled something the way I did, often they are surprised that there usually is a very long and thought out story behind each one.

Perhaps I just think too much.

Have a beautiful weekend. I am heading to Arts By the Bay Gallery today for my shift to work, so come on out and let's chat about art and thinking too much!  I will be there from 2:30PM until 6PM (I believe.) Otherwise, I will see you here on Monday!

xo

Autumn Vineyard- Virginia Landscapes

The vineyard at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia

It's funny how if you make a dream board and really focus positive energy into putting your work and your story out into the universe, it eventually comes back. This past summer I reached out to several publications about writing articles or publishing my digital art and slowly but surely those seeds I have planted months ago are coming to fruition. In October, one of my digital art pieces landed on the cover of a local newspaper. Then, over the course of about three weeks, three different Instagram hubs have featured four of my creations. Every time I am notified it is like Christmas morning and I feel so honored that people are enjoying my work. But what happened last night was a dream...

Last night I received an email from Somerset Digital Studio magazine.  This is a well respected publication in the digital art world and it's 144 pages are just delicious to read through every issue. Here is a description from the website of the magazine:

Somerset Digital Studio showcases some of the best digitally created artwork around, and these breathtaking samples of scrapbook pages, ATCs, and collages will have readers joining in this growing trend of creating digitally altered artwork in no time. Each of the 144 lush, full color pages found in every issue contain captivating feature articles, a full gallery of digital eye candy, a digital dictionary, software comparison chart, digital tutorial, and more. 

The email contained 6 of my images that an editor for the magazine saw on my website and wanted to publish. In addition, they asked me to write a feature article for the Spring 2017 issue, describing the artistic process and techniques I use in my work. I was so honored and thrilled!  This magazine is only published twice a year so it is highly competitive to have your work featured!  My deadline is December 12 and the issue will be on newsstands on March 1, 2017!  I know I can rise to the challenge and do this and I am so ecstatic for the opportunity to be a part of such a great publication.

In addition to this wonderful news, I found out that I will be the Featured Artist at Arts By the Bay Gallery for the April-June 2017 show! This means I have prime wall space in the gallery and can hang as many pieces as I'd like in that space! I am hoping this opens more opportunity to be published in local publications and be interviewed with local media. My goal in the exposure of my art is allow me to tell my story about surviving Chronic Lyme disease in the hopes of helping others in the process. In addition, I am working on setting up a fun event in May 2017 for Lyme Disease Awareness Month at the gallery where a portion of the proceeds from the sale of my art will be going back into the local chapter of NatCapLyme, which runs a support group for Lyme patients and their loved ones in my area!  There is so much going on I feel a bit overwhelmed, but it is a delicious drowning...

Thank you so much to all of you out there who support me day in and day out. Friends, family, artists, patrons of my work, and other bloggers. You all help me have the confidence and drive to do what I do and I am truly appreciative. When I reach wonderful milestones in my career as a digital artist, I love to share it with all of you because I feel like you all have helped put me in a position to reach my dreams. Thank you.

I am heading out of town tomorrow morning with my oldest daughter to visit my cousins in St. Louis whose children were in a tragic, horrific car accident about three weeks ago. I've been needing to get there to support my cousins and do what I can to encourage them. I may or may not be posting during this time. If I have time, I will set up a few pre-posts to go up each day, but if not, I am not going to stress over it. I will see what I have time for.

Sending Happy Thanksgiving love to everyone now just in case I don't have a chance to blog this week. Be safe and have a wonderful time with family. Please pray for a safe passage for my daughter and I...it is a long drive from Baltimore to St. Louis. And please continue to pray for my cousin's children who are recovering from devastating traumatic brain injuries.

xo

The Lost Balloons- Travel Art By Tracey Grumbach

The Lost Balloons- digital art by Tracey Grumbach

The sun was so huge that night. I've never really experienced a sun that looked that big before as it crept toward the horizon. I've seen my fair share of sunsets, but not one quite like this. The din of the board walkers/bikers/fair goers was dimmed by the roar of the Pacific waves crashing into the Santa Monica shore and the gulls fussing over their last few chances to grab a bite before nightfall. One distinct sound I heard, though, was the sorrowful cry of a young child as the balloons she was holding were accidentally released. The helium that gave them form, lighter than the atmosphere surrounding them, gave lift to the pink spheres, guiding them away from Earth's pull toward the heavens. It was all very dreamlike and enchanting...the kind of moment you read about in a storybook and certainly a memory one wants to hold on to forever.

xo

Disrepair of America- Harford County Artist

I must say that I feel this image represents the state of our country right now. It is just one board away from falling, completely crashing into the ground and landing in a pile of rubble. I never thought in my lifetime I would see a presidential race where my two choices were an obnoxious womanizer or a career criminal who time and time again puts our country in a horrible place with her decisions.

I am not normally a political person. As a matter of fact, I can't stand politics. And the media...don't get me started. I feel as if I just can't feel good or settled with either of the choices presented to us. In the entire country, these two people are the best we have to offer? Pitiful.

If circumstances would allow me to relocate my family, I would certainly stay in the U.S. but I would love to go off grid somewhere in the middle of nowhere and unplug from life for the next 4 years. I just don't want to know. I just don't want to see what will happen to the country I love with one of these two people at the helm. Ignorance would be bliss.

So, I call this piece Disrepair of America because honestly, we are teetering on the edge of disaster here.

xo

Solitude on the Pacific- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

This image was created using both iPhone Apps, Photoshop PS6, and Painter Essentials 5.

Having a chronic illness is not easy. Not only does it affect me physically, but it affects me mentally. I am not ashamed to say that I can't battle the emotional implications of my chronic Lyme by myself. I need help. I have an amazing therapist that I see who is incredibly supportive and understanding. She has also had Lyme and has been in my shoes. Although she is supportive, she does not allow me to wallow in sorrow or self-pity, not that I am keen to do that anyway. What I also love about her is she believes wholeheartedly in the mind-body-spirit connection and holistic healing. Recently, she recommended a book, Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, PH.D., for me to read for homework.

I've just begun the book and already know it is a game changer for me. Funny how you know pretty early when something is going to change your life, and I knew within the first couple of pages that this was one of those things. I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes that our mind/spirit is intimately connected to our health. Myss puts forth the concept (although not a new concept to ancient healing practices) that our biography IS our biology...that our experiences, thoughts, and memories can literally change our DNA to either make us sick, keep us sick, or help us heal. Game changer.

I've always known that mind/spirit can affect your health. It only makes sense, but this is the first time I have considered that our thoughts and experiences actually alter our DNA. I am looking forward to finishing this book and applying the practices to my daily life. I know all the things I need to completely heal from this chronic illness are here...natural medicine, herbs, food, and good mental hygiene-letting go of the past, and moving forward.

If you feel like you are stuck, if you feel like you are always drained of energy, if you feel like you are wallowing in past experiences without being able to move forward, if you feel like you are angry, stressed, and regretful on a daily basis, you must read this book to see for yourself what implications these behaviors have on your health.

Regaining my health is a top priority because all that matters to me is my ability to raise my kids the best I can (my twins have been through a lot in life already and don't need a sick mother), be a good wife, and help others by bringing awareness and a voice to Lyme disease. Nothing else matters. What are you living for?

Read it and let me know what you think.

xo

You Make Your Mark

Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and they scrub it off.

-Bansky

No matter how hard they try, they can not erase me. They may be able to erase my art, silence my voice, and delete my words; but they will never get rid of me.

 I was in awe, standing in an alley in Baltimore City, just trying to absorb all of the art spray painted there. The paint was fresh. The art new. The pungent smell of paint still lingered in the air like a badge of courage of those risking arrest just to express themselves. The acrid bouquet cut through even the strong urine smell that lingered around the edges of the building. It was like walking into some brightly colored cartoon, the drabness and grayness of the city fading away into this vibrant new world.  A new world where color was king, expression freely accepted, and nothing was permanent. Everything was free flowing and liquid. With the breeze blowing, I almost felt unsteady on my feet. What was this amazing world I had entered?

Standing there, contemplating, I yearned for the ability to camouflage myself into the wall, like a chameleon, by taking on all the beautiful colors I saw there. What if our skin could blend perfectly into the wall and take on the exact art that our shadows were covering? How freaking cool would that be to disappear into this most vibrant, beautiful world? And that is when the idea struck me...I can. I can simply disappear here...and I did.

Hope your Monday and the rest of your week is vibrant and beautiful.

xo

The Best Thing To Do Is Walk Out of the Barn- Digital Art By Harford County Artist

I love the title of this piece of art because it reminds us that even in stormy, difficult times, it is best to walk out into the open and be vulnerable. Take chances. Live your dreams. Take steps forward when all you want to do is stand still.

Whether it is personal or career related, taking chances has never been easier for me. Somehow when you are faced with difficult health, it really puts other things in your life into perspective. I used to be afraid to ask for what I want and need, but I've learned that if I don't advocate for myself, then no one will. The worst that can happen is someone tells you "no." Big deal. Is not fulfilling your dreams a risk you want to take just because someone may tell you no? For me, it is a clear choice.

So, whether it is for my health or for my career, I have been practicing intention and not letting fear stop me from moving forward. I ask for help when I need it.  I put my art out there to be judged. I accept a no when it comes, but it doesn't freeze me.

In the past week I have contacted two local publications and one national publication to consider publishing my art. Also, I have committed to entering a juried art contest on the local level. Nothing may come of any of this, but if I didn't try and stick my head and heart out there, then NOTHING would come of it for sure. Because when you do nothing, nothing comes to you in return. But, what if everything came of this? What if all three publications said yes! What if I won the contest? Yes, what if.

So, what are you waiting for? What dreams do you have that you can take a baby step toward today? No is not a barrier...it is just a detour sign. Don't be afraid of it, just take a different route. Get busy, people. Take action toward your goals.

xo

Industrial Storm Rising- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Industrial Storm Rising

This art was created from a photo taken while traveling up 95 North on my way to New York City this summer. This image was created to portray my thoughts and feelings about the condition of the environment in our country (adding pesticides to the environment that kill our pollinators, spraying our food with glyphosate, chem trails from airplanes, cloud seeding...the list goes on) and also on a more personal level, how those with chronic illness have to live their lives wondering if today will be a stormy day or a good day. It makes it almost impossible to make plans in stone and requires one to live his/her life by "playing it by ear." I hope you've enjoyed this look into Industrial Storm Rising...and hope you noticed I did NOT add birds to this one. On purpose, of course ;)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and I will catch you on the other side.

xo

Zen

Zen

Introducing Zen...only ONE print of this digital art will be offered forever! It is a one of a kind. If you would like to be the owner, please contact me using the "Email Me" app in the sidebar.

This piece was inspired by a visit to a local farm where they had a beautiful koi pond. I happen to love koi and water lilies, so I am really fond and proud of this piece.

Have a zen filled Thursday.

xo

Going Back From Whence We Came

Going Back From Whence We Came
Digital Art
Florida Waterway

I lay face down on the massage table, face nestled into the padded o-ring that supports my head. I exhale deeply and concentrate on releasing all the anxiety and tension from every muscle. As the massage therapist begins her work, I realize just how healing this process is. Not only is it amazing for my muscles and lymph system, it is balm for a sore mind too. As thoughts of my kids, work, chores, and all the other everyday life gunk creeps into my mind, I try to refocus my attention on the kneading hands, massaging away the sore spots. I clear my mind and think only of how each muscle feels under her hands. I am not great at meditating...I get frustrated when thoughts come flooding back into my mind, but having the sensation of touch is helpful because it gives me something tangible to focus on.

Once, when I was in EMDR therapy for PTSD, my therapist told me to imagine my perfect place of feeling safe, protected, and happy. I chose a warm beach that has soft sand, gentle waves, the perfect temperature, and no one else around. She told me to imagine being there, surrounded by a protective bubble of God's love and let that warm love enter each one of my cells. It was a great exercise to get me to have a focal point for meditating. So, this is where I bring myself in my mind when I feel stressed and overwhelmed. The only issue, as I mentioned earlier, is keeping my mind there. Thoughts always creep back in quickly and furiously! But with massage, concentrating on feeling, the sense of touch, is something to cling on to... and it is healing. Healing in more ways than one.

What do you do when you need to escape? Do you meditate? Are you good at it? What tips can you give me?

xo

Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach to Hang at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace

Please stop in today at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace from 3PM-7PM to see me and the 5 new pieces that will be hanging in the Autumn Aura Art show. I will be removing my current pieces and replacing them with the following five pieces. I'd love to chat with you about these 5 pieces, what they mean to me, and how my fight with Chronic Lyme Disease has influenced these art pieces and my art in general.

Baltimore

I Am Reborn

My Significant Other Right Now is Myself

Now Autumn Fire Burns

When We Drove By the Farm in Autumn

The opening reception for the Autumn Aura Art Show will be Friday, August 26, 2016 from 7PM-9PM. There will be refreshments, and a cash bar. My dear friend, Douglas Williams, is the featured artist for this show and his work is amazing! If you can't stop in today at Arts By the Bay Gallery, then mark your calendar for next Friday! Hope to see you soon.

Leaving the Human Form- How Snapchat Helps Generate Ideas for Self Portraits

I like the idea of being able to briefly morph into another animal. It would be so interesting to escape this human form for a while, would it not? I am not suggesting I would rather be a different animal permanently, but it would be nice to explore options, especially considering the state of the world right now. All the hate, all the deception, all the lies. Sometimes I just want to be something other than human. (Wondertwins, anyone?). Seriously, if I were a fox or a bird or a worm for that matter, I would not have to face this election in November. Ugh.

Many younger people know this already, but some older people asked me where I get the ideas for some of my self portraits. The answer is an app called Snapchat. I am friends with my daughter on there and we crack up at the way it changes our faces and sometimes our voices. I take a reference photo from the app and then digitally paint it, often adding or taking away elements, changing colors, etc. to make it the way I want it. So, now you know how I got the idea for today's image and also this one, this one, and the of me on the sidebar with flowers in my hair. It's fun and it just might make you smile.

Here's to having a beautiful Monday and a fruitful rest of the week. Keep your eyes open for a post coming this week revealing what new artwork I will be submitting for the fall show at Arts By the Bay Gallery. Five new pieces will be going up soon.

xo

Summer Warmth

Summer Warmth
digital art

As July comes to a close in a few days, I sit thinking about all that has happened in this month. I've began treatment for Bartonella yet again and have had a horrible reoccurrence of health issues including a jaw infection (that I had surgery on last year to correct...it's back), severe shoulder pain (now thinking it is a possible torn labrum from my fall in March), and continued pain in the hand that I fell on in March (need another MRI to see if there is debris still in there even after surgery in May to remove it). I feel like this month has been filled with doctor's appointments, MRI's, x-rays, blood-work...rinse and repeat. It could be worse, so I am thankful for the overall progress I've made since learning how to detox better (since I have a MTHFR mutation) and remediating for the mold in the house (I am also HLA Multi-susceptible 4-3-53). I was thrilled to make it to my first Harford Lyme Advocate meeting at Upper Chesapeake Hospital last week to share my story and hear other stories of people with health issues similar to mine. It is great to know we are not alone. If you are interested in coming to the meetings, we meet the third Thursday of the month at Upper Chesapeake Hospital. You can contact me via the contact button for more information.

Despite my relapse of health issues, we've managed to have lots of fun as a family this month. My oldest daughter had an amazing opportunity to go to NYC to attend a high school leadership conference in the area of digital media, journalism, and film. She stayed at Manhattan College in a dorm for a week while working with some of the most high achieving teens in the country. This experience confirmed even further that she is passionate and determined to make the film industry her career. We are in full swing of looking at colleges and film schools for her to attend next year. She is getting her senior portraits taken today (sniff!) and we just received confirmation that she will attend half-day high school her senior year while taking college courses the other half of her day at the local college. She is taking television production and hiking her first semester, which she is thrilled about. In addition to that opportunity, our family has had local day trips including to spend lots of quality time together including Independence Day fireworks, a combine demolition derby, and several library programs.

The twins and I have been continuing our homeschooling this summer, just recently beginning third grade for them.  This year has FLOWN by in that aspect. They have made amazing progress and we are all excited for this year. While we school year round, in the summer months we do slow down. We've been knocking out health, reading, math, and mythology and will begin our full-day schedule again at the end of August. I was honored to be interviewed by a local children's magazine about our homeschooling experience and I'm looking forward to that article coming out August 1 in Baltimore's Child magazine, which you can pick up at local restaurants, bookstores, newsstands, and other places distributing free local publications.

My oldest son is doing well and working hard this summer. He has decided to take the fall semester off from college, trying to save money, and then return for the winter semester. He has a wonderful girlfriend that fits in nicely with our family and they have been having lots of fun this summer hiking, kayaking, and fishing.

Professionally this month has been great. I had the honor of selling several pieces of art in the gallery and also a few private sales. It is always an honor to hear how my art personally affects someone. I've had the opportunity to interact with two my my buyers personally and hear the stories as to why my art touched them. I've also had one of my images featured in a Flickr group this month, showcasing pieces that connect health with art. I'm looking for more opportunities to have my art published, so this fall I am looking into submitting to other art magazines again.

My other love this month has been my organic garden. I'm gardening in a raised bed with organic fertilizer (I do have a horse after all) and I have never seen plants this big in my life. I am growing Juliet Roma Grape Tomatoes, heirloom Cherokee Purple Tomatoes, and Beefsteak Tomatoes. I am also growing organic cucumbers, green bell peppers, pumpkins, and strawberries. I began harvesting strawberries in June and cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes this month. I have one pumpkin that is almost ready to harvest and it is HUGE. I plan on making pie with it. There is no way we will be able to eat all of this produce, so I will be giving lots away to family and neighbors.

That's about it! I am looking forward to an upcoming much needed vacation and then I'll be back at it again. I hope all of you are having a wonderful, safe, healthy summer.

xo

Reinvent Yourself: Self Portrait

Here's the shiny secret nobody sitting in a cold clinical office is going to tell us, unless they have lived with cancer themselves: it is not a death sentence. It is, in fact, quite the opposite. No matter how long we get to live, cancer is going to wake us up to life.

_Miriam Boleyn-Fitzgerald

in Bella Grace Summer 2016 edition

Just replace the word "cancer" with "Lyme Disease" and this all still rings true. I define my life by "before" and "after"...Before I got Lyme Disease and After I got Lyme Disease.

After I got Lyme Disease I call "My Awakening" because it has taught so much about myself, life, my family, my friends, and frankly, the world. I have changed so much after putting all the pieces back together that Lyme shattered, you would not recognize me. The world owes me nothing. I am solely responsible for my own happiness and well-being. I took ownership and responsibility for my life. I look to the earth and nature to heal me (with amazing guidance from my holistic Lyme doctor). I choose how I spend my time carefully, as time is the most precious thing I have. I want to live simply and naturally and make steps daily to do just that. I have the power and control over how I react to the stimulus all around me, the sole dictator of my emotional well being. I have choice.

Do you know how powerful that realization was for me? It transformed my life. I know I would be a different person today, a person I like immensely less than the person I am now, if I had never been infected with Lyme. While I don't wish Lyme (or any chronic illness for that matter) on anyone, I am thankful for the way it has changed my perspective on myself, the people I surround myself with, and the world.

We all have the superpower of re-inventing ourselves. I am really the only thing I have complete and utter control of in this world. Me. Myself. I.

xo

Self Portrait 2

Self Portrait 2

Another in my recent self portrait series

How many times have I stood by and watched something from afar that I know I should stop? How many times have I talked myself out of my gut instinct? How many times have I let fear stop me? How many times have I walked by someone struggling and thought, "It's not my problem?" How many times have I not wanted to be nosey so I minded my own business instead of offering help?

Many times.

But not this night.

This night I noticed, I interfered, I had enough, I was nosey, I didn't turn the other cheek, I didn't mind my own business, I stood up for what is right, I pushed through the fear, I didn't talk myself out of it, I didn't turn my head and pretend not to see.

Driving by in Baltimore City, I saw it happen and once I did I couldn't NOT do something. I've been there, where she is, shivering (is it cold or fear or both?) on the corner trying to get away. I've been the negotiator at my own boxing match, trying to get free without harm from someone that was supposed to love me. I've wondered what words will work this time to diffuse the anger that is hurled at me for reasons I can't fathom. I've seen the fear in her eyes from the inside out and remember how the brain and emotions shut off to protect itself...that blank stare. I wonder if she will remember the whole incident or only bits and pieces or only the residual gut ache of fear, desperation, and hopelessness? I wonder if she is already planning how she will respond when he apologizes? She probably is.

I pick up my phone and dial the three numbers...9.1.1.

911. What is your emergency?

I'm at the corner of _____________ and ________________.  There is a male hitting, grabbing, and restraining a female. I need a police officer...

After I hung up the tears came, fast and hot. Why is this such an epidemic in this world? 1 in 4 women will be victims of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. I was that ONE when I was in a long abusive relationship as a teen.

I wish I knew if the police actually showed up. I wish I knew if they made it on time. I wish I knew a way to stop the abuse without putting myself in a deadly situation. I wish I knew this would be the last time she was hit by someone that is supposed to love her. I hope she makes it out. I did. There is hope, but there has to be a rock bottom and a will to move forward. If I could, I would bottle strength, courage, and fortitude and give it to her.  I'd giftwrap it in love and offer it to her like a lifesaver thrown to a drowning victim.  She just has to grab on.

xo

One Way

One Way Down Up

When life is bringing you down, utilize all means possible to lift yourself back up.

~Me

Sometimes the heavy burdens of life cloud your vision and bring you down. It is imperative that you reach inward and find a way to lift yourself back up, fighting the gravity of everyday life...the news, mean people, and the general burdens of being human. Find your own balloons...friends, art, music, reading, nature, and use them to negate the "one way down" feeling of everyday life. Invest time and energy into your own well being. If you don't, no one else will.

This has been a public service announcement by yours truly. ;)
Hope you all are taking care of yourselves in the aftermath of this historic blizzard. Sending love to everyone.

xo

When Fears Are Grounded

When fears are grounded dreams take flight.

~Unknown

Please mark your calendars for Friday, October 2, 2015.  I will be hosting the opening reception for my show at The Gallery at 122 Main where I will be the featured artist for the month of October! The reception is from 5PM- 8PM and the gallery is located at 122 E. Main Street in Elkton, Maryland. I will be showcasing my photography and digital art. I am partnering with a soon-to-be-announced Lyme advocacy group to spread awareness about this terrible disease and a percentage of the proceeds from my art sales will go to Lyme education and awareness. I would love to see lots of friendly faces...stop in, introduce yourself, browse through the gallery and enjoy the evening in Elkton! Hope to see you there!  xo