Feelings, cleaning house, and celebrating wins
My aussies Chase and Stevie, just before the yard sale, and selling our couch.
Wow. I knew we’d get here eventually but it’s still hard to believe we are leaving Portland in 22 days now. TWENTY TWO DAYS! Of course, that will be just the first part of our journey. We’ll be driving from Portland to Boston, and flying from there to Lisbon on August 31st. We’re calling it our farewell tour, since we have friends and family sprinkled across the country, but the main motivation to drive, is our dogs. Boston offers the shortest direct flight at 6 hours, rather than 20-something with layover(s) from Portland.
My beloved Jose Buon was the last to go, and I was so sad to watch him walk out the door.
Last weekend I had my final US shop update AND a moving sale. In hindsight, maybe not the best idea, but we did it, and it was a pretty successful weekend overall. People were lined up outside of our house 40 minutes before we “opened” and that was so funny to me. Like, we don’t really have great stuff. ha ha. But our yard was packed full of people for a solid three hours. I watched my plants, seconds pottery, books, kitchenwares and bits and pieces of my familiar life walk away with strangers for a few bucks. It’s a strange shift from collecting to purging. From attached to detached.
But I suppose this is what moving and starting over is all about. The last time I did this was in 2005, when I sold my home in Sandy Hook, CT and all of my belongings to move to Portland. I took whatever would fit in my little Acura Integra, and drove west. It was emotional, and there were things like window treatments, a solid cherry Craftsman dining table and chairs, and my studio equipment, that were particularly hard to part with. (I still have one set of those curtains almost 20 years later ha ha). But as I look back at the things that were important to my 27 year old self, and at the things that are important now, I know deep down it’s just stuff.
We’re only taking 10 bags, and our two dogs with us to Portugal. Everything else has to go. The fun part, my studio assistant Anna is renting my house! So I’ll be leaving my studio in place here in Portland. She’ll be doing some production work for me, and I hope to come back in 2025 to make some work here as well. But we’ll see how that goes as things settle down.
Our former office and plant room.
So I guess I am just sitting here in my partially empty house, and thinking about all of this. I also wanted to share some exciting milestones, because I think it’s important to celebrate wins, especially since I have a habit of accomplishing a thing, and immediately jumping into the next project. So here are some exciting things:
In May and June, Mariana and I had follow up meetings with the two cities were pitched the community studio to, and both cities are interested in helping us bring this project to fruition! So when I get there in September, we’ll have another round of chats to see how we proceed. We’re also working on the documentation to become an Association (non-profit), which will help us to apply for grants and assistance to grow our programs.
I had hip surgery on June 7, and am amazed at how much I have recovered already, and how much I was able to accomplish while recovering. Still a work in progress but I can’t wait to be healed and start setting up my new studio in Portugal and getting back to work!
Prior to hip surgery I created over 130 new pieces of art, which I completed (fired and glazed) after my surgery. I got them all posted to my site last weekend, and y’all scooped most of them up lickety split! That always amazes me, even after almost 3 years of selling my art online. I’m humbled, and beyond grateful that people choose to spend their hard earned money on my creations. I don’t think that will ever cease to amaze me. Thank you.
Fundraising for Com Fusion Community Studio & Gallery. I’m amazed by how many artists, friends and people who’s art I admire, have stepped up to help us build this community! I have been able to collaborate with so many artists I admire, and the pieces we have raffled off have helped us raise $12,000 so far! In addition to that, so many people have asked about coming for a residency or to stay in our guest house already. So many people have straight up made the most generous donations, from $5-$250, every time I see a donation come through, I am so grateful. And every little bit helps so much!
This last one is not an accomplishment as much as it is a small sign from the universe that I am on the right path. The International Academy of Ceramics is having their annual conference in Caldas da Rainha and Alcobaca, Portugal two weeks after we arrive! You bet I got tickets to attend, and I am so excited to have a chance to connect with so many artists from all over the world.
A few of the planters from the last collection
I’m feeling so many feelings, overwhelm and gratitude are top of the list, but also a strange mix of joy, accomplishment, sadness, self-doubt and excitement. I’ll do my best to keep sharing those here. Especially since so many people have commented about how lucky and brave we are to be doing this. I want to be transparent and clear- I don’t really believe in luck as much as hard work and planning. There has been a lot of research, planning, and trial and error behind the scenes. And as far as “brave” goes… neither of us feels particularly brave. We’re just trying something new and hoping it works out.
When it comes to decision making, I started asking myself this question (back in 2005 before the last big move): what will I regret more at the end of my life, doing this, or not doing it? It’s lead me down some pretty incredible paths so far, so we’re doing it!
If you have questions about any of this, don’t hesitate to send me a message or leave a comment.