10 Joyful Years: A Preview of one long CELEBRATION with you!

Hi friends,

First, I wanted to say a sincere thank you for your response to last week’s annual Flying Lessons Sale. I love knowing that so many of you are going for it, trusting in your possibilities, and creating the lives that are calling. Just makes me happy. Thanks again for your support and for trusting me, my stories, and all that I’ve learned along the way in my own creative biz path. It means the world.

Also, speaking of creative business milestones, this year marks my 10th year (crazy!) of not just declaring myself an “artist” but also opening up my online shop and selling my very first originals and prints. Hard to believe all that has happened as a result of that specific leap all those years ago. I am so grateful.

My dear friends, family, but especially Nichole & Betsy (my main business supports) have encouraged me to celebrate this big milestone all year long. And that’s what we’re gonna do!

I have so much goodness coming up this year, much of it involving YOU. I deeply want to honor and acknowledge this beautiful community that has, in many ways, held space for me, supported me, and cheered me on as I’ve made my way.

Here’s a bit of what’s coming down the pipe, all in celebration of 10 years:

New Website!
A brand spankin’ new website is coming next month. You guys. My current website went up in 2009. I’m way overdue for a new one and I’m over the freakin moon with the new design and functionality. We’ve got a new logo, a new tag line, a new way of reading the blog, a new LOOK! Also, students will have an obvious login page for ecourses (hallelujah!). Also, a whole new shop. New videos, photos, and a few more surprises, too. OMG!

Here’s a sneek peak of the new home page (gorgeous, no?). Designed by the incredible Jo Klima. I can’t wait to show you the whole thing next month!

Here’s a sneak peek of one of the new videos that will live on the new site. It made me cry. Susan Roderick created the video and I am so stunned and inspired by her work and feeling mighty grateful we had the opportunity to work together. Wow!

Giving away ALL original paintings in 2016!
Another way of celebrating 10 years…..I’m giving away every single original painting I create this year. I’m specifically giving them away to folks who are subscribers to my newsletter. Be sure to sign up to my newsletter so you don’t miss out on this opportunity. I did this a couple of years back – gave away my originals – and it felt SO GOOD. I’m excited to do it again.

Many other giveaways!
Speaking of giveaways, I’ll be hosting a HUGE week of giveaways in the coming months that will feature giant baskets of my gift products. DEMDACO is sponsoring this giveaway, donating hundreds of my gift and decor products. It’s going to be massive with many many winners and I can’t wait!

Lots of sales!
Of course, what’s a big celebration without a great sale? And there will be many – big ones. I’m super excited about these….coming soon and all year long!

A look back!

I started writing this blog in 2006, and I wrote many many blog posts about my story as I made my way into the creative life as well as into business. In celebration of ten years, I’m going to pull out the gems and repost them throughout this year as way to look back, honor, and reflect on the journey. This should be fun and eye opening especially the posts sharing my earliest paintings – boy have I come a long way. We all start somewhere 🙂

Community Inspired Paintings!

One of the things I’m most excited about doing is creating new paintings, inspired by YOUR stories. More details coming soon, but look for an upcoming newsletter with all the details. I can’t wait to do this new painting series. It’s going to be magical.
A Party!

And last but not least, this summer I’m gathering folks who have helped me along the way – various women in biz, friends, collaborators, family, business partners, and more – for an event here in Portland. I’m nervous, excited. It’s going to be my first actual event that will have all sorts of things happening – catering, photobooth, music, food, drinks – a real actual party with real actual planning. Again, I’m equal parts terrified and thrilled. Having never thrown a party, I’m thinking (hoping) these mixed up emotions are par for the course.

Gratitude!

Thank you over and over. I’m so grateful to have landed here. It’s not lost on me that none of it would have happened without this amazing community. Thank you for supporting me, guiding me, and journeying with me. I’m so excited to celebrate 10 wild joyful years with you all year long!

Love,
Kelly Rae