Courage Revisited
O’Keeffe House, Ghost Ranch
©2008 Neil Myers
24" x 36"
Ghost Ranch Painting
First, the art. Arizona painter Neil Myers found the photo below on my blog and asked if he could use it as reference for one of his paintings. The wonderful results are above. You can see more of his amazing work on Neil’s Website.
I love that Neil contacted me and asked for permission to use my photograph and I’m even more thrilled that he will pay me a 5% commission when the painting sells for that use. Very cool. Thanks Neil and good luck with the sales.
Georgia O’Keeffe’s House at Ghost Ranch
Taking a Leap
Last week I made a big decision. I’m putting my house on the market. Selling my big suburban dream home and beautiful studio. I’m downsizing - smaller house, smaller mortgage, smaller studio, smaller commute. I’m going to leave the suburbs and move to Denver close to my kids’ school.
My word for the year is courage and this decision was a huge opportunity to use that word. I’ve been in this house for 13 1/2 years so moving is going to be a big change. Yet it all feels right. I’m excited about the positive changes in my life that will come about as a result of this move.
Giving up my large studio in the short term (I’ll likely move again in 6 years when my daughter graduates from high school) feels like the right decision. I know I can make art anywhere and I’m determined to keep pushing my career forward. So that is exactly what will happen.
Posted by Lisa in: About Me
Tagged: courage, Ghost Ranch, Moving, Neil Myers
Cheryl Collins said,
April 10, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
Go for it- sounds exciting. As a regular reader of your blog for some time can I say how much going on the Great Big Dreams retreat seems to have helped you move forward. I’m so pleased for you.
Karen Jacobs said,
April 11, 2008 @ 4:42 am
Smart lady! Don’t know about you, but moving always opens up new venues, new opportunities, new sources of creativity. Downsizing, getting closer to the core makes great sense… who needs the extra baggage?
Natalya said,
April 11, 2008 @ 4:46 am
Wow, that’s a big decision, congratulations on making it… May the force be with you! and beautiful art from the great photo..
Laure said,
April 11, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Congrats on making such a big decision and being POSITIVE about it! Great way to use your courage. I’m sure with such an open and positive outlook that many new and wonderful things, changes, and adventures are coming your way! Yay!!!
cynthia said,
April 11, 2008 @ 6:08 am
That’s huge, Lisa!! Congratulations and I wish you a painless move. While it’s a big undertaking, I actually relish moving because it helps clear a lot of baggage/clutter that is no longer needed out of my life.
Susie Monday said,
April 11, 2008 @ 6:21 am
Even after “only 13.5 years” the move will be wonderful for clearing out what is no longer working — I moved after 35 years in one house, whew that was liberating! Here’s to finding the perfect place, with room enough for a good studio, and being able to have more time NOT in the car!
Becky Heavner said,
April 11, 2008 @ 10:03 am
Hi Lisa,
I just subscribed to your blog and wanted to say hello.
As you know from my email I just moved from the DC area after living in the same house for 19 years. We sold most of our furniture, had two yard sales and really cleared out some stuff for the move. Maybe we sold too much. However it was such a cleansing thing for us to do. We were ready for a big change. Good luck with your positive move!
jafabrit said,
April 11, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Oh I like your courage! All the best with the move, sounds like a wonderful new start. Enjoyed seeing the painting and the original photograph.
Kim Hambric said,
April 11, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Frightening and exciting at the same time. I guess you could call that thrilling. Denver is a great city! Packing up and moving is never easy, but so often necessary. So many possibilities are waiting for you both inside and outside of your new home. Go forth and create!
Brenda said,
April 11, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Best wishes for your transition to a new space. When I moved from the city to the coast four years ago, I was effectively combining two households (our “weekender” is now our fulltime residence) and had to shed and reorder a lot of “stuff”. It was a good exercise. Having seen several homes in Denver, I am sure you will find a suitable home with personal space for you and your children and a n area to set up your sewing machine without taking over the dining room table. (It helps that you don’t have a humungous plasma TV to accommodate!) And, on a purely selfish note, if you are closer to the city there is an even better chance that we might be able to catch up next time I am in town.
Tracy said,
April 11, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Congrats on the decision!
Courage is your middle name, and you live up to it. Moving can be so cleansing (no, not just cleaning behind the shelves) to get rid of old environments that carry certain ideas and onto the new world!
I’m sure the perfect house will become available just before you’re set to look.
Best wishes!!
Tracy said,
April 11, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Oh, and Neil is a wonderful painter. An honest artist!
Jessica said,
April 11, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
Hi Lisa! Just wanted to let you know that I gave you an award on my blog :) Keep up the beautiful work!
Charmaine Swan said,
April 24, 2008 @ 6:35 am
Good for you! It’s amazing what you can live off of if you don’t have a big mortgage. Courage is needed, but I’m sure you guys will be just great.