2026?!

It's hard to believe it's new calendar time again, but here we somehow are!

I've spent the month juggling commissions, my hands, and finalizing the designs and month order for my 2026 calendars. This/next year's theme is "Arden Nouveau." This calendar includes many pieces that seldom see the light of day because their unusual dimensions make them a bear to print and present for shows (I try to avoid custom cutting mats), as well as many of my extremely rare watercolors.

I worked in watercolors regularly for several years and was/am honestly quite good at it. Since watercolor doesn't go bad, I still have a treasure trove of paint that I keep meaning to use. My main reason for not comes down largely to time. Acrylic simply dries faster, allowing paintings to move at a clip. With watercolor, one has to be careful to not overwork (which muddies colors and damages the paper) and leave lots of drying time. This is most frustrating when one hits a painting groove that could last for hours. Thus, acrylic remains my first artistic love, but watercolor remains a potential mistress, beautiful and tempting.

As you can tell from the included previews, this calendar also follows my "Studio Stories" format. Right now, I'm channeling Hemingway (as in brevity, not personality) to tighten each painting's essay. This not only helps them fit the space allotted but nixes my habit of too many adjectives!

Calendar pre-orders will officially open next Monday, November 3rd. Delivery/shipping will be early December for both purchased calendars and Patreon gift calendars (tiers $10 and above). Calendars are $25 each if hand delivered; additional shipping costs will be determined by destination. I can only afford a limited number after fulfilling Patreon gifts, so reserve yours ASAP if interested!

Can you believe this will be the first time this piece has been included in a calendar?! I love it so.

In addition to calendars, commissions, and house projects, I've also been talking to more artists friends about what they've done for their hands. The results remain 50/50 on carpal tunnel surgery either being the best thing ever or absolute hell because said friend couldn't create for a year afterwards. Thus, my next non-invasive attempt to tame my joints will be dropping weight. I've read that an increase in weight contributes to increased joint pain (logical) even in one's hands, and early menopause beat my metabolism with a nail-studded stick. Even if trimming down doesn't help my hands, it certainly won't do the rest of me any harm! :P

May you all be well and wonderful, dear friends. As always, if goings on in the world mean you need your Patreon monies for life, please, PLEASE take them and take care of you, first and foremost. I'll still be here. HUGS