goodbye 2006 hello 2007

Jan 2, 2007 | Yearly Recaps

There are years that ask questions and years that answer.
~ Zora Neale Hurston
new years is by far my favorite holiday. the idea of new beginnings, new dreams, new goals, reflecting on the the previous year. i love the above quote by zora neale hurston. i have thought of it each and every new year since my friend ali wrote it down in a hand-made journal she made for me in college. this year, 2006, was certainly about the answers for me.

highlights of 2006:

finding art and running with it. all the discoveries. all the learning. the changing. the inspiration. i had never experienced such a passion for something in all of my 31 years. 2006 will forever be defined as the year i found art.

artfest 2006. again, life changing. i remember being a bit tearful on the drive from portland to artfest. i had an intuition that it was the beginning of something for me. and it was. i love beginnings. i love the love that exist at beginnings. i never want that to fade.

john getting accepted to graduate school for nurse anesthesia and moving to oakland. it hasn’t been an easy move but i am so proud of his decision to pursue his dream and of us as a couple for making it happen. we are both actively chasing the dreams we didn’t even know we had until very, very recently. so funny and beautiful how life just picks you up and carries you, sometimes very quickly in a direction that you are pleasantly surprised to find yourself in. we count our blessings out loud to one another on a regular basis. we are lucky souls.

art & soul 2006. again, just being in my niche. pure wonderment.

meeting new friends and growing in the friendships that i’ve had for many, many years. i dream of one day having all of my friends under one roof. i just think that would be so cool.

celebration of craftswomen art festival in san francisco. my first art festival. great experience. learned so much.

the arrival of babies! first it was ian, then lucy, then theo. oh my. cuteness all around and watching my friends become mommas has been very, very cool. i love how life is actually happening now. i love that i knew these mommas before they were mommas, when they were teenagers. i love the circle of it all.

we had such a great christmas. this holiday season, more than ever, i had a very true and real and deep sense of family. i felt more connected with john’s family and to my own. there wasn’t enough time. but i left and came away with a feeling of being filled up with love and inspiration and a readiness to start the new year.

so, i am ready for 2007. i am ready for more of a sense of routine. for better habits. for more art. for less sleep. for more friendships and letter writing. and less time on the computer. and more time on the phone. for travel. and for naps. for sending gifts just because. for exploring more of san fran. for all of it. i am ready.

More small steps from 2006: 

* Got windswept up, up and away.
* Learning to be fearless.
* Designed and launched the first version of this website.
* Started working part-time at my social work job in order to focus more on art. This was tricky as my husband was a full-time student and we very much depended on my income, but it was well worth the risk.
* Began building a business.
* Moved from Portland, Oregon to Oakland, California. Started selling originals and prints on etsy.
* Sold my first item on Etsy.
* Decided to take the leap.
* Started to experiment more with finding my style and enjoyed painting early works. Stayed up in the wee hours of the night creating while sleepily going to my full-time day job as a medical social worker. It was a passion filled time for me, these early days.
* First self-portrait. I’ve come a long way since this. Makes me smile.
* Daydreaming meets humble beginnings.
* First attempt at a girlie painting.
* Became obsessed with mixed media.
* Heart lifted and feeling it!
* Started paying attention.
* Whispers of inspiration were calling.

Sending much love,

Show/Hide Comments (10 comments)
10 Comments
  1. Amy Terranova

    Hi!
    May I please take the Soul and Mantras class? It is EXACTLY what I need to be able to put on canvas the mantras I have been collecting… I so want them all over my walls… and in the hands of those I love!

    Reply
  2. Amy Terranova

    I am trying to leave a comment but it says I already left one… but I did not click on submit comment yet?

    Reply
  3. Amy Terranova

    Hi there,

    I found your art in a local shop and loved it… I sent a print on canvas to my sister and some cards to friends…. then I looked you up… wow… you are so inspiring!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to do mixed media but I don’t know the basics… and I love, love , LOVE your Soul and Mantras class… those ar EXACTLY the kind of mixed media projects I want to do and give to my friends and family… Please can you let us buy the class again? I know you have the monthly class, and I’d love to join that after I do the Soul and Mantra class…. but I am on holiday break and I so want to do some mixed media with mantras!!! I have been collecting my mantras… but I don’t know how to get them on my canvas! Thank you so much!!

    Reply
  4. Christy AKA Dallas

    Hi what an honor to put a face to my favorite artist. You are so AWESOME! I must find a way to attend a retreat. The energy must be amazing.
    Thank you for sharing your passion & gift to all of us. On our own journeys your work helps me to remember to breath. I hope to be blessed & meet you at a retreat!!!!
    Namaste

    Reply
  5. krista

    Happy New Year To you Kelly!

    Reply
  6. ceanandjen

    What a wonderful year 2006 was for you. It is inspiring to hear your journey and the happiness that has come from it. The even better part of this is knowing that the journey has just begun and that there is so much greatness just around the corner.

    Happy 2007 to you!!!

    Reply
  7. deirdre

    You’ve had such a busy year. I hope ’07 brings you the time to enjoy all you’ve begun and accomplished. And a cup of tea together too. xoxo

    Reply
  8. liz elayne

    i can hear your voice as i read this post. i love it when that happens. all the goodness, all the answers of 2006. i cannot wait to see what 2007 brings you my friend.

    i am so glad 2006 brought you into my life.

    happy new year my friend!

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    Happy Happy New Year Gorgeous! I hope this one brings you just as many giggles and memories!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous

    Oh Kelly I too am ready for ” more of a sense of routine. for better habits. for more art. for less sleep. for more friendships and letter writing. and less time on the computer. and more time on the phone. for travel. and for naps. for sending gifts just because”

    I thought of you and your body challenge when I went for my run yesterday.

    Happy New Year sweet girl.

    Reply

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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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