Reflections on 2024: Navigating Loss, Creativity, and Renewal

Reflections on 2024: Navigating Loss, Creativity, and Renewal

For me, art fair season truly feels like it ends when my Florida run wraps up. Reflecting on 2024, it’s been a year of ups and downs—challenging but filled with valuable lessons. Having friends face major surgeries and even losing someone close to Christmas has pushed me to think critically about my lifestyle.

Photography has always been my escape, a way to step back from the social issues that surround us and find solace in creativity. I primarily sell my work through nationwide art fairs and my website, and this year, I’m working on expanding to new outlets and opportunities to showcase and sell more of my art. In addition to sales of my art, I provide art installation services, which help me stay on track financially and fund my creative goals.

Looking ahead, 2025 is a year where I want to make meaningful changes—creating more time for myself and nurturing a social life. Working nonstop is tough, but it feels necessary when you are self-employed. Yet, I know I need to prioritize self-care and establish healthy boundaries to sustain my well-being and creativity.

One area I need to focus on is balancing my time for photography throughout the year. Over the last three years, I’ve done most of my shooting during my Florida trips but not as much during the rest of the year. I realize that taking time each month to capture new work will not only improve my work but also help me maintain mental clarity and balance.

The reality of being self-employed has taught me that while art installations, photography, and art fairs are the more visible aspects of my work, they are often the easiest part. It’s the constant juggling, planning, and striving for stability that requires the most effort and resilience.