Monday, March 24, 2008

Late on the Anniversary

Opposing Sides, 2008, Oil on Panel, 11x14

While I was in Vermont, the two year anniversary of this blog came and went. It's hard to believe that I have been doing this for two years and have found the time to write 477 posts! Long ones too! I have been so wrapped up in blogs that it seems like I have always been reading them and keeping my own. On the other hand, it also feels like just yesterday that I struggled to set this blog up.

And this whole thing has been amazing. I have "met" so many new and interesting people here, virtually and then often in real life and it has literally been a lifesaver. It has been such a great community for this outcast to belong to.

Much has happened in the last two years. My mother died. I have gotten new gallery representation and difficult decisions about leaving galleries have been made. There have been so many amazing exhibition opportunities for me, some of which were a result of this blog. We added chickens, bees and a new dog to our lives. We scraped enough money together to replace our porch, paint the exterior of our house, replace the shingles. But in many ways things are just the same. I spend my days balancing motherhood with a career that can be overwhelming and all-encompassing. There never seems to be enough time for everything.

But still I plug away, raising my kids, making art, and keeping up with my internet friends. So thanks everyone, for reading my words, looking at my work and for some reason, finding me even remotely interesting. Can't quite put into words how much I appreciate that.

Go ahead and check out my first post. The one where I decided to use my words anyway. Heh.

11 comments:

Casey Klahn said...

Happy birthday and congrats. Here's hoping for two more years of your blogging!

Peter Yesis said...

Your blog was one of the first I started reading just before I started my own. (way back then) there were lots of daily painting bloggers copying each other's format and most of them copied Duanne Kaiser. Your blog had a special appeal because you talked about everyday things not just the art. But it all related in a funny way back to the next canvas(or board) you were working on. I really enjoyed the way you just wrote the way you would speak to us. It was like having a conversation or listening in on a phone call each morning at my computer with my cup of tea.
It has been my morning routine for quite a while now. Thanks for two years of conversation.

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

congratulations on your anniversary or is it blogoversary...
I can only aspire to be as good and interesting a blogger as you are...

Melody said...

I loved your blog from the first time I read it. You have a way of writing that is so down to earth and honest. I check in everyday and yes, I do find you very interesting and your art absolutely stunning!

Katherine Kean said...

Happy Anniversary Tracy!

I've recently become a regular reader and i love your work.

Tracy Helgeson said...

Thanks Casey! It's been so nice to have you as one of my regulars.

Aw, shucks, now I am blushing, Peter. Thanks so much for telling me this. I am very flattered and you have no idea how much my writing is like my talking:)

Thanks Natalya, but I think you do just fine. I only wish I were better at keeping up with leaving comments....it's all I can do to keep posting on mine.

Thanks so much, and same to you Melody, I read everyone but am not so good at leaving comments. I so appreciate hearing from everyone, and I really should try to be better about visiting others!

Thanks Katherine, so glad to have a new regular. I love your work too!

Stacey Peterson said...

Congrats on two years! Your blog is the first art blog I remember reading. I'm not even sure how I found it, but you inspired me to make mine about my art!

Ann said...

Congrats on your blog's two year mark. Your blog was one of the first I started reading too. I enjoy your writing, its down to earth style, and as a busy mom who is also struggling to be an artist I find your successes (and artworks)very inspiring. Thanks for sharing and I know I'll continue reading here :)

barbara Poole said...

Congratulations on your blogaversery. Yours is the first blog that I have found myself inspired by because you keep it all very real.

Tracy Helgeson said...

Stacey, Ann and Barbara, wow, thanks so much for using the word inspired! I don't get that a lot in my real life and it sure is nice to hear, I appreciate it.

gary rith said...

rock on Tracy, rock on....