2008. a review.

Jan 4, 2009 | Yearly Recaps

Wood Type 2 zero zero GP 8
Educational Block 2 zero zero grave stone 8
Picture 253 bw_0 car badge 0 park 8
dear 2008,

you were an insane year if i do say so myself. so much activity. so much whirlwind. sometimes i wasn’t sure of my footing, and other times i savored the flight. in the end, even with all the rolling ups + downs, you were nothing less than magical. and i mean it when i say magic. for example, i just took a moment to re-read my mondo beyondo dreams for 2008 –  the giant, daring dreams i wanted to manifest for 08. and guess what? they all happened: i did travel to italy with john. although we didn’t rent a vw bus and drive it all around europe, we did recently buy one for all the adventures waiting for us in our backyard. pretty cool, eh? and the dreams kept coming all year: i did have a successful book release.  i did embrace the idea of teaching workshops in faraway places (hello, italy). and i did move back up to the northwest in a cute old house with a studio upstairs (not portland, but you surprised us with seattle instead). and lastly, i did remain inspired, in gratitude, and in love. like i said, 2008, you were full of magic. thank you so much for all of it.

here are your other highlights:
* celebrating a few licensing deals. this was an unexpected surprise, but i’m so glad i jumped on board. 2009 will bring all sorts of new goodies, including canvas wall art reproductions, adorable glass pendant necklaces, more stationery products (calendars!), and so much more. totally excited about this as it all begins to unfold in full.
* battling the blues. this was a constant as we negotiated living apart for many months while john was in graduate school. we never warmed up to california, although our time there was deeply important. it had major gifts, but our hearts were slow on the uptake.
* i became a possibilitarian.
* the quest for balance was never ending (as always for me). you even gifted me with major burnout from time to time 🙂
* kellyraeroberts.com got a major facelift as did this blog 🙂
* dreaming up an italy workshop with mati rose (who i MISS so much these days!)
* big love for my man. always. and always.
* taking my mom to artfest. boy, did she love it. and we’re going again in a few months!
* a trip home to florida for greggie’s retirement party (wahoo!). and then another trip home for the holidays and my mom’s big surprise party for her 60th birthday (serious fun).
* i bought a pair of shorts – this was big, people.
* i turned 33 yrs old.
* holding Taking Flight in my hands for the first time ever. andrea was with me to celebrate when i opened it. (i so MISS andrea these days, too!). and the days of book release week were wild and wild. and i can’t forget to mention all the reviews (both on amazon and in my inbox) i am forever grateful that this book reaches people and inspires them to create. what a gift.
* one super scary medical scare (still unresolved, but i’m totally okay)
* lots of good press (thank you!)
* an awakening.
* a life-shifting gathering of lovebombs.
* traveling to squam and speaking at this event with mati (so nervous!)
* my first photo session, both alone, and with a dear friend.
* spontaneously teaching at portland’s art+soul (so glad i did)
* loving italy every step of the way (teaching + traveling)
* leaving oakland for seattle. we had always planned to move back to portland, but it seemed seattle insisted we move to its city (you are tricky, 2008).
* being a part of the house that love built in rwanda. this was extraordinary.
see what i mean, 2008? you were simply insane, exhausting (in the best of ways), and magical. thank you for all of it – you will always be remembered, celebrated, and held close. in between all the creative fun + work, what i will most remember about you are the friendships and the time spent with family and with john. in the end, it’s the heart to heart connections that make all the celebrations worth celebrating. so thank you for all the hearts in my life. they are precious and meaningful to me.
xo
More small steps from 2008:
* Moved to Seattle, WA and set up a new studio space in our home.
* Was interviewed by author Brene Brown, creative business owner Karen Walrond, and popular design blog, Indie Fixx.
* Through blog donations, helped raise over $5,000 to build a home in Africa for one special family. Read more + see photos here and finished home here.
* Rode the wave.
* Taught two classes at Portland’s Art + Soul creative retreat. Also sold prints and other goodies on vendor nite and participated in an author signing at this event. Read more + see photos here.
* Was featured in a new mixed-media book released by Interweave Press titled Mixed Media Self Portraits.
* Traveled to Cortona, Italy to teach for one week at a creative retreat. Oh my, it was wonderful! Read more + see photos here and here.
* Attended Squam Art Workshops where Mati Rose and I spoke to a gathering of attendees for an evening titled “Taking Flight Into The Creative Life”. Read more + see photos here.
* A long awaited dream: my book titled Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings was released + published by North Light books. It was released to great reviews over on amazon – one of the best weeks of my entire life. Read more + see photos of book release week here and here and here.
* Taking Flight was featured as the book of the week on premier art + design website,decor8. It was also the feature of many giveaways on various popular blogs + websites.
* Found my tribe.
* Was featured as the daily muse on skirt.com
* Had artwork published in LK Ludwig’s newest book, True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling.
* I saw myself, finally.
* Everyday magic showed up in a big way.
* I said no.
* On becoming.
* My first ever line of stationery products debuted at the famed nyc stationery show – super exciting. Stationery products became available for sale in stores nationwide and on the Brush Dance website.
* Signed a licensing contract for a home + gift line with DEMDACO, a large gift company.
* My studio was featured in the May/Jun 08 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.
* Taking Flight book cover was released and placed on amazon.com for pre-order!
* Burnout.
* Attended Artfest creative retreat for the third time – always a good time with a ton of energy at this event in Port Townsend, Washington. Read more + see photos here.
* My fourth Cloth Paper Scissors article was published – an article where I shared my techniques and creative process as it relates to using affirmations in art. Totally loved working with this magazine for a series of articles.
* Was featured inside the pages of Pasticcio Quartz, a stunning zine published by authors and artists Angela Cartwright & Sarah Fishburn.
*  Was featured on two popular websites: modish and sparkletopia.
* There were thoughts, lots of thoughts… on wholeness and inspiration.
* Became a possabilitarian.
* Was featured on two popular, momma oriented websites: cool mom picks and urban baby.
* Guilt and the blues showed up.
* Licensed my work for the first time. (Big celebration!)
* My third Cloth Paper Scissors article was published – an article about blogging for the soul.

Sending much love,

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Hello + welcome!

I’m Kelly Rae Roberts

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my creative whispers, and today I’m an artist & Possibilitarian. I’m passionate about creating meaningful art and experiences that awaken and inspire our spirits.

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