It looks as though 2014 is going to be the year of be prepared! My adult daughter always tells me I am such a girl scout which I take as a compliment although scarcely intended as such.
I never have intentionally thought be prepared but certainly live my life that way. So this short start to 2014 has already proven to be a be prepared type of year. It may be the Chinese year of the horse but to me it is the year of the Girl Scout!
I was contacted late in December by a reporter who was writing a story about art quilting for the regional paper. She had seen another artist’s work last summer at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY, loved the medium and decided to follow up with a story. She interviewed Judy Mathieson who turned her on to me.
Because I am a girl scout I was prepared for the interview. I have had interviews before and the photos of me always makes me look 100 years old and my work look amateurish. So when the reporter showed up I gave her a labeled CD with professional images of both me and my work. Both made it into the article. Be prepared!
As a result of the article I garnered new collectors. One emailed through my website and asked about my work, my prices etc. We agreed to meet offsite and I brought specific work he and his wife were particularly interested in. That was ‘Entanglement’ detail of which is seen here. We had a family emergency the day before and so I was a bit preoccupied let alone tired as I had had little sleep. Yet I was prepared to make a sale and did so.
For the past two weeks I’ve had a houseguest living in my office. My mind has been stressed with details of her care, keeping up my own work and being semi-present in the world! I have had help for which I am grateful. My be prepared attitude has also helped me see through the emotional component to what is best for all parties. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
I have also been working on four small pieces for various deadlines most of which seem to be coming up at once. I have been literally fighting with the design of two vineyard pieces and seriously have considered a bonfire to put them out of their misery. Today someone saw them on my design wall and wants to buy them! Good thing I didn’t light that campfire after all. Be prepared!