Goodbye to a beautiful year

I vote 2010 as a truly great year!

I came back to drawing, unveiled a passion for paint, tumbled in love with Art Journaling and realised coloured pencils are my skinny, little, wooden soulmates. I had 5 calendars of my photographic art published, and perfected my whole studio space. I started running and Zumba-ing – I mean – hello?!! It has been a BIG year, full of surprise and discovery!

After a Christmas spent with my beloved, wild-at-times, hilarious, cute and fiercely individual faux babies (ie: nephews and niece!), brilliant ‘in-laws’ (need a new word ‘In-laws’ just doesn’t sound loving enough!- adopted family? hmmmm…suggestions please!), I am on a high! I even saw my blissfully happy ‘lil sis  with her fab fiance and my strapping baby bro and his most gorgeous, gorgeous GF on boxing day and I’m flying off to see my BFF and her delightful kiddos next week. And right here, in my sanctuary, my hubby, fur-babies and I are just luxuriating in all the bliss (heh, I said I was on a high!).

I started the artwork below thinking of Sophie with her Mum…and I did it ‘Live’. oooooh, boy…still can’t believe I have come so far! I don’t usually like people around when I am ‘creating’ but something has changed…

beginning layers of 'Mother & Child' - Jane Davenport

If you asked me last year if I would ever draw in front of a whole bunch of people. I would have rolled my eyes and “as if!”…but in the week leading up to Christmas, I created a little nest in my gallery and sketched. I had my new artwork all around me, and was right there to enjoy people’s response to my work. I was able to talk about my colored pencils! Non-stop!

Last time when I imported art supplies for myself, I got a bit extra, so was able to showcase them and share my passion for the fabulous tools I use. It was a FANTASTIC experience to share my work, see so much of it go off to wonderful new homes and inspire people along their own creative paths. I am looking forward to doing it again!

Live Drawing set up in the Gallery

The gallery and store has never looked better or been busier. Byron Bay is BURSTING with happy, shiny people.  The surf is up and the dolphins are bouncing around in the water every morning at the beach.  My family and friends are all healthy and happy. What more could I wish for? I am grateful for everything… even the less-than-optimum stuff. It makes me appreciate all the glossy, living-my-purpose tingly feelings I have been zapped with all year long!

I KNEW 2010 was going to be a crackerjacking year! And it proved out…and I have an even better feeling for 2011. It’s full of luck…I can sense it! So I’m sending out my happy vibes to you and let’s leap into the new year all together!

The sun sets on 2010!

So goodbye 2010….and hello 2011! It’s going to be ‘Major’ (I’ve been watching the Rachel Zoe Project! It’s soooooo good!)

x Choose happiness

Jane