Updating in 2022. A Sabbatical Year

Updated January 2024. We prepped our of house 23 years for sale,sold  and moved in 2023 to a quieter location with more workshop space, a less maintence-home and plenty of  outdoor inspiration located in the Kettle Moraine, Lake Country  region. 

2022 Updates. Beginning this winter and into spring, I will begin prayerfully updating this site. Much has changed since early 2020 and many of us have been forced to slow down.  For myself, this wasn't an altogether disagreeable proposition since I'd been working on projects and attending events, nonstop, for many years. To be honest, after settling into a slower year,  I have benefited from the time away because, in retrospect, I think that I was completely worn out after such a long art run and truly in need of deeper introspection.

Liturgical Art Goals There has been, and for some time now, a desire to focus on the works in my "opus" portfolio - i.e. the ones that have remained incomplete due to the steady and welcome interruption of yearly orders and events. Who knows?  Perhaps God will bless me with the gift of completion this year? A sabbatical year?

Moving forward. Our ranch style home has an expansive, unfinished and dry basement but it has been underutilized. In consideration of this next phase of activity (my portfolio),  I began the transition from my current studio into this larger space.

A New Workshop. The objective is practical-  to create an econmical, user friendly, functional workspace where projects can spread out easily. Over the summer all of the old windows were replaced and more natural light is now streaming in. Currently we are installing standard overhead lighting, updating the electric outlet situation, adding simple partitions and painting the walls and cement floors. The ceiling is in great condition with natural wood beams and the industrial look that's so popular these days. 

Overall,  the entire basement was in need of a good clearing out and freshening up after many years of typical family accumulation. That dismantling is now well underway. To trash, sell, thrift or gift is the operational plan.

Sales and Promotions. Lastly, how will I reach customers without traveling far or being present at events (the few that there are)? My regular site for online transactions has been ETSY and I will consider growing that branch in 2022.

In sum, God bless you, my readers, and may God provide for you this year. It is not easy for any of us these days, but let's continue forward with grace and in the knowledge that we are dearly loved by God. "Et verbum caro factum est!"