Studio Friday: Prize Possession

This week's theme for Studio Friday is "Prize Possession." I have so many things tucked away here and there that are very dear to me (photos, momentos, etc) but in my studio there is a book that means a lot to me for many reasons. It's Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion - her very first decorating book. My dear co-workers bought it for me in 1994 as a going away present. I was leaving my design job of 8 years to strike off on my own in the big art world. These dear gals wrote the most wonderful things in this book about how they "knew me when" and "I would be signing books someday", etc. I did have a lot of dreams in my head to be sure. But life has a way of taking you places you hadn't planned. I never became a self-supporting artist. I became first a realtor and then a trainer in high tech. But I really have no regrets. I feel that every lesson I have learned and every person I have met on this journey which is my life made me a richer person - not in material things, but in matters of the heart and spirit. And now, 11 years later, I am facing another crossroads in my life. I am getting closer to launching off again into the big art world. But this time, my dreams are tempered with age and some measure of maturity. I have no allusions. But, I do have hope. And no matter what, I know if I remain open to always learn and stay humble, I will be richer still.

Oh, I said the book was special to me for several reasons. 4 years after my friends gave it to me and signed it with their blessings, I took it to a book signing in Denver. Mary Engelbreit was at a local ME store signing ME merchandise - so I carried my precious book to the signing and there, side by side with my friend's well wishes was the signature of the one artist who has had the most influence in my artistic life - Ms. Mary Engelbreit. I remember that she told me that she liked the necklace I was wearing - it doesn't get much better than that. :o)