I have so much going on and so much to keep track of. I am hoping to be able to simplify in the future, but right now I have to juggle a lot of balls. I like it to an extent, but let's face it, it is not always fun to feel like there is so much to do. Something has happened recently that I have wanted to to write about, but I couldn't yet. I have been focusing on it and doing so much extra work since I opened the gallery for it. The timing was perfect and horrible all at the same time. When I was about to open the gallery I had decided I would start to look into art licensing. This has always been my long term goal for financial security. You can make a good living if you have a body of work that is suitable for this field. I had sought out experts in the field and had received very positive feedback regarding my pet art. I told myself that once I was settled in the gallery I would begin looking for an agent or try to license myself. The Sunday after I had my grand opening I decided to take the day off. I went to Starbucks and ordered a big ol' vanilla latte and sat and people watched and relaxed. then I began sketching ideas for new paintings because relaxing is just not really in my blood. I was there for hours and so happy. i was so peaceful. Life was so good. I was going home and I decided to stop by the gallery to check some emails. Day off - whatever. I had received a very interesting email from a woman in New York City. She had, somehow, through a colleague seen my url announcing my gallery opening. She asked me if i was interested in art licensing and thought my work would be perfect for it. She told me to check out her company and if i was interested, to please contact her first thing Monday morning. I checked out the company site, i checked out her name. Thank you google! I learned a lot about her company and who they represent. Then I called Monday. She was interested in my art, my ideas, my future ideas, my children's book, everything. We were both really excited. She told me that she was one of the main people that got the Teletubbies into the U.S., and she worked with some really great artists whom I recognize and love their work. She explained that licensing takes time, but that she really believed my work is very unique and has a place in the industry. She needed me to get copy shots of all my art, she needed me to make comps of products to show certain companies. After deciding to make this company my exclusive agent I had a ton of work to do for them. Right after I had just opened a gallery and was going through the end stages of a divorce. The past 2 months have been almost insane. I have had a ton of work to do that right now pays nothing, been getting ready for licenisng shows and running the gallery and keeping up with design work that pays the bills. It has been a really exciting time, and to a certain extent I have not rally been able to sit and think about much of any of it. there was no time to think. I will have my art at the Stationary Show in NYC in two weeks. My agency is having me come out to The Licensing Show in June!!! Which is huge! They want me there painting in their booth. I cannot wait! All the art I am doing for my show is also for my agent. Licensing is an interesting thing. it takes time. Or it doesn't. The industry gets you, or they don't. You just don't know; Right now there is a major brand looking at two of my images to possibly purchase for beach towel designs. I am crossing my fingers. I am hoping this is my break that might make life a little bit easier so i can slow down a bit. Maybe not have to do as much design work. We'll see. I am hoping people get me and my art. I want to have someone want to publish my children's books, listen to my ideas, use my art on products so maybe people can smile when they see my silly dogs. My dogs make me so happy and I just want to keep painting them for as long as i can. I hope they make other people smile too. they are just plain old silly and I love them. I am now represented exclusively by Big Tent Entertainment and they seem to get me and my art. I hope it is a long and successful partnership and that they are rewarded for taking a chance on me. I know I bleieve in me and I am ready to show that to the world. Thank you Big Tent for seeing me and believing in what I have to offer.