The End of 2023 and a Peaceful New Year

When I started 2023, I never imagined what this year would hold for me.

This year has had many ups and downs. Maybe you feel the same way. I’ve experienced heartbreaking losses in my life, of loved ones and professionally. We lost my brother Rick, this summer, and my father-in-law passed away on Christmas Eve.  There have been beautiful new experiences too, like welcoming a new grandson with my oldest daughter, and my son’s wedding (also welcoming a new daughter-in-law to the family).

 Professionally, I’ve had major ups and downs: I worked so diligently to earn my masters in 2022, after working in education for the past five years, only to realize this fall that I am better suited for a different path. It was bittersweet but, at fifty years old, I’ve also come to realize I’m better for that decision, and for my new path.

I have felt a shift towards an immense need for PEACE in my life. I am earnestly looking for ways to protect that peace, and trying to surround myself with a community of those who would help me foster that peace as well as protect it.

I’m not looking anymore for a brass ring.

I’m not interested in climbing any ladders.

I am looking to build a peaceful and purposeful life.

 Have you felt that same pull in your life? I feel like we have so many immediate, in-your-face images, messages, and more in our lives that the noise becomes deafening in our soul. If you’re like me, that noise has only pushed me more towards a genuine desire for simplicity and serenity.

I’m not looking to step away from social media or the internet. I am wise enough to know that these are only tools that we need to utilize to connect and inform. That’s not a bad thing. A tool is just that, a tool. It helps you to do the “thing,” whatever that thing is at that moment. But tools aren’t meant to be the center of our lives. They are only meant to help make life easier and possibly entertaining.

I am beginning a new series and a new focus in my content and in my art. I am working towards creating a peaceful, purposeful environment on my accounts and in the art I create. I hope you enjoy this new development in the evolution of my artistic journey. I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for the both of us.

Also, I will be teaching some new classes in the late winter and early spring. Beginning Watercolor, for one, will be at the top of that list. Also, by request, I will be bringing back my most popular class, Creating Pet Portraits. Look for both very soon.

To close 2023, I’m offering a special for two 6" x 8" watercolor pet portraits with $25 off the total price. Please email me at jennifermccallart@gmail.com if you’re interested in learning more.

Happy New Year,

Jennifer