A breath of life

I have been travelling further into the season that I thought I would. I thought my travel would go through October and into the middle of November but I find myself still travelling. In the last two weekends, I have been to Galveston, Shreveport, Houston, then back to Shreveport again. I am grateful for the opportunities.

In Galveston, I attended ArtWalk which is every six weeks. I have attended most of these, this year. It has been one year since my art first started to be represented by Affaire d’art on Postoffice Street. It has been a lovely experience and, those of you who read my blog, realise what a fan I am of the island of Galveston and also of this gallery.

In Shreveport, I have been participating in art events in the historic Highland neighborhood. Residents are beginning an arts event that is on the first Sunday of every month and, most recently, there was a home tour where artists were set up at the lovely home of one of the coordinators, Liz Swaine. Liz has graciously written that I can share pictures of her home on Facebook and my blog and I am excited to show you this fantastic space.

I love meeting people. I have met thousands of people this year and have had the opportunity to talk about art and learn about many lives. I have made many friends. I am recently tired from the travel, though, have been nursing a cough and decided on Sunday I would spend Monday and Tuesday resting. No swimming outdoors in 30 degree weather. Resting to the best of my ability. I have been resting.

I was tired on Sunday. I had been to First Saturday Arts Market in the Heights of Houston (outdoors in the cold for ten hours that day) and then to Shreveport, Louisiana (indoors) on Sunday. Two hours one way, then back. Two hours another way. It’s not so much the driving but all the details of events that can cause fatigue. Extreme weather. Carrying art and supplies up and down three flights of stairs to my apartment. Keeping my right-brain in focus so I can converse with people properly.

I was tired on Sunday. I began to feel a hundred years old. I generally have very positive self-talk and this is how my conversation with myself went on the drive from Shreveport back to Texas on Sunday evening:

I am tired .. .. ..
This is not hard. Being a single mom is not hard. Cancer .. I can imagine having cancer is hard. Camille, you are tired. That is all that is happening to you. Rest for two days and you will feel fine.

So, I came home and have tried my best to rest for two days. It makes a difference. I have tried not to stress. I am grateful for the opportunities that come my way. I have paid my real estate renewal fees to keep my license active though my focus much of this year has been on art. Thank you to everyone who has supported my art so I can keep my real estate license active. Having a real estate license can keep some of the pressure off of the art.

I am wanting to pursue painting but I am not wanting to become too commercial. It should be an interesting 2014.

As we close the year, I am heading to Galveston this weekend to participate in a Junior League event. I will be showing my art in the foyer of the Galveston Convention Center. I have just been invited to this event and am filling in for an artist who had to cancel. The event style is of New Orleans. After two days rest, I am feeling renewed energy. I’m not back to where I want to be, but I do feel better.

I wish life to be breathed back into me, but who doesn’t. A lot of people feel what I am feeling. Let’s rest when we can and take care of each other. Find someone in your life you can help, that you can provide relief to. Even if it is just in the form of a note to provide encouragement. At times, that note can become a breath of life.

Breathe,

Camille