Hey there, Stranger! Nice to see you again!

Hello everyone! I know, it's been quite a while since my last post. I bet you're wondering where I've been the past few weeks? OH, where to start? I suppose the biggest change in my life is with the ye ole day job. For the past four months or so I've been managing a bakery/cafe down here in Austin, Texas. After working in a few kitchens as part of my exploration of my culinary passions I landed a management position and am loving it! It's wonderous waking up in the morning and actually enjoying "going to work" for a change. This change has also lead to new plans for a future wine bar-bistro of my own in the next couple of years! Plans are already in the works with the url purchased and a logo underway for this new venture. I will keep you all apprised of developments with the bistro as it progresses...

In the world of art and writing, I am now up to about 16 completed paintings in my current series, which I started back in 2017. It is my hope to have a full 20 to 25 completed in the next couple of months so that I can begin preparing for a solo show some where in Austin in the Fall. For the remainder of April, through May, one of my older paintings will be featured in the "Red, Hot, and Soul" art auction show benefiting the Zachery Scott Theater. Only 35 artists were chosen for this auction out of hundreds of submissions. I am extremely honored to be a part of this event.

You can bid on my painting here:

https://501auctions.com/rhs/item/1086495

So... Writing... Yeah... *hangs head in shame* I have had the absolute worst case of "writer's block" the past few months. This is the first time in my entire life that I can remember experiencing a severe case of WB. I know there are a lot of theories on why this happens at times to artists and writers, and even more suggestions on techniques to break it. I have put myself through the emotional wringer, beating myself up for not being inspired at the moment to write. I have successfully outlined the remaining chapters of the YA paranormal novel I started last year. I have also begun a new short story and am researching for another horror novel I hope to start work on right after I finish the YA novel. And for now, I need to allow myself to be at peace with those small accomplishments. As mentioned above, I continue to paint and am developing a strategy for opening my own bistro.

Writing will undoubtedly return to me when the time is right. I spent several years putting out one to two, sometimes three, books a year. This pause was probably much needed so that I could recharge and rediscover my voice. All of my creative endeavors are universally connected. Thus, as long as I am creating, I am being true to myself...

That is all for now. Thank you, all, for your continued interest in and support of my work. I promise to not be so elusive the rest of the year. :)