Happy New Year! looking back on 2023

Happy last day of 2023! and Thanks for taking this moment to read my post!

There is so much to be grateful for and when I look back at the year so much rich stuff happened. It’s a good reminder that sometimes when you are in the mud of things, feeling the stress of what’s happening or not understanding how experiences might fit into a bigger picture it can skew your perspective, so it’s always great to reflect like this.

2023 marks Selim and I’s first full year in our home. We have spent this time settling in and noticing some of the strange “landlord-special” aspects of our home. I often feel humbled and privileged when I spend time in my basement studio, I know there are so many deserving and wonderful artists that just lack space and I try to remind myself to utilize it as much as I can.

I have been able to customize some of these spaces to make them feel like home. For example, at the start of the year, I painted my stairs rainbow and installed fake grass on the landing. I created a lovely reflecting space on our enclosed porch, I call it “the tree house” and seasonally use it as my morning coffee and journal spot.

It has been such a delight to live a block away from our family-we have made it a weekly routine to have home-school art class in my studio with my niece and nephew, I may be biased in how I see it but these two are artists deeply to their cores and I plan to continue to help them know this about themselves. We have had many more opportunities to have adventures, such as attending art shows, zoo visits, picnics on the porch, park visits etc etc - it fills my heart in a very specific way, to be able to contribute to the childhood of these two special little ones. I think my Auntie energy comes from the same place as camp counsellor energy, and pretty sure that is one of my best selves.

I am quickly approaching the end of my undergrad (Graduation in May 2024), which has brought about mass reflection on what I’ve taken away from this experience and what’s most important in finishing up. I had two-panel critiques in 2023 and participated in 5 shows! I collaborated with other amazing artists to curate the third installment of “Gallery of Bodies”. I have felt a large growth in self-trust in my artistic practice and started venturing into applying for more artist opportunities. I had a goal to collect “15 rejections” over the year, to get myself in the habit of applying to things- well I only ended up applying to 5 things and from that only got 2 rejections (so new focus for 2024 get more rejections!)

One of those opportunities that wasn’t a rejection, was a collaboration with “In and Out Theatre” where I was paired up with a Student to create their ultimate Halloween costume. This experience was a highlight. My student wanted an “AI robot” costume and I did my very best!

In the summer I was lucky enough to go on a Solo road trip to Ness Creek Music Festival, this was my first year as a volunteer and I was able to show some Art in their inaugural Gallery Space. This was my first time out of Calgary since lockdown life! and it felt so good to be in the forest with limited cellphone service. Also got to spend some time with some beloved family and new friends!

Selim and I also got really good at prioritizing a regular date time every week- It has been great to get out there together and try different things in Calgary. We have found a couple of Coffee shops we love (Shout out to Rosso Ogden! and Weeds Cafe)

Selim’s Mom was also able to come out for her first visit to Canada! it was a lovely time, very busy! My Mom was also here and I took the opportunity of them both being here to do some wedding dress shopping.

My Mom’s visit also consisted of a lot of quality time with our “first friends”, a family we knew well since childhood. While I feel weird about going into details it feels important to acknowledge that this time was marked by the loss of a beloved friend. It has had me thinking a lot about grief, how humans cope, whats most important, who you show up for and how.