The Mushroom Wanderer (detail) by Debra Styer, 2023

Well it was a pretty tough year, yet again. The war in Ukraine continues and the Hamas War is terrifying on incredibly sad. As for this year, I’m very worried that the U.S. will become a chaotic mess with the upcoming election and I hope we all remain peaceful as we vote for the next president. (Praying we finally say goodbye to Trump).

As an artist, it can be really difficult to focus on work when so there much is going on in the world, but I think it is something we must do.

Even though it was a tough year, I did mange to get bunch of new work done. I was in 3 art shows at City Art Gallery, participated in a few illustration classes and I was happy to be one of hosts of Folktale Week for the 6th year. I am working on adding my recent work to my Etsy shop and on here so stay tuned….

So…Here’s to 2024!

I’m hoping for another art filled year!

My goals for this year will be focusing on learning hand lettering, working on some new some editorial projects, and trying to get into a few more galleries. My main focus will be creating portraits of inspiring historical women. I starting working on some of these paintings last year and look forward to creating more.

On a personal note, over the last 5 years or so, I have been really working towards getting myself out there in the real art world. I have been steadily growing as an artist but something always stops me from taking the leap and showing my work to publishers and art agents. Well, this seems like a good year to take that next step and get over this crazy shyness.

Praying for a peaceful year and world.

How are you feeling about 2024?