Thoughts on 2023…and getting ready for 2024

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….

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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?

Goodbye 2014/ Hello to an Amazing 2015!

Hello Everyone. Sorry it's been so quiet around here lately. But that's all about to change.

It's that time of the year to look back to all that happen and push forward into a brave new future!

My both at the SFEtsy Indie Holiday Emporium 2014

 2014 was a pretty whirlwind year for me. I made so many changes. I took some pretty scary steps this year, but looking back, I feel pretty good about them . Here's a bit of a look back in my year.

1.  I managed to have two solo art shows.  One at a vintage clothing store, The Mysterious Rack, and at Farley's cafe. It was really amazing to create such a huge amount of new work. I've put some of the new portraits here in my Etsy shop if you would like to check them out. I will be adding more original work soon.
2. I had my best art fair ever this November. Thanks so much SFEtsy! I'm still learning about the art fair world but am less scared of it now.
3. As some of you know, I started working 3 days a week at New Bohemia Signs. It's been a pretty interesting adjustment from working for myself for 4 years. But man, it was something I really needed.   
4. I was really excited to receive a mentioned on this blog post about my custom portraits. Thanks Cool Moms!

I suppose the last day of the year is the time for resolutions...here's my plans for 2015! I am so ready for a new year of challenges and successes!

1. First off, redo my artist website!Well, I will confirm that I working on it! I'm building a brand new one from scratch and pretty excited about it. It is time to take myself much more serious as an professional artist and illustrator.
2. Get back to writing more on the blog...ooops.
3. Get involved with more artist groups. I love being one of the leaders in SFEtsy, and plan on getting more involved. I've also joined the Academy of Handmade.
4. Getting published. Getting my work out there in the real world. Etsy has been great, but I have to keep reminding myself that it is a small world there, and I need to expand.
5. Adding more work to my shop...weekly.
6. Finally finish the book I've been working on the last couple of years. Get it published (we are self publishing)...printed...and make it real. 
7. Get into more galleries and shops. Bonus: To get into larger art galleries beyond where I am now. 
8. Learn how to hand lettering!
9. Find some kind of healthy exercise that I enjoy. The last month or so my health has not been the best. (Mostly just a string of really bad colds). Being sick really reminded me that I need to find ways to take care of myself and stay strong.
10. Read more books and turn off the internet more.  

Well that about wraps it up. I suppose I will call these plans not resolutions. They might have better luck being accomplished that way. But alas, here's to a awesome 2015 to all of you. May all your plans be successful, and this year be filled with new and exciting surprises for us all!

Happy New Year from Bluehour Studio!

Debbie Styer 2013

 2013 was a strange year. Full of triumphs and disappointments. My business was pretty steady and I got into a few new shops this year but really need to focus and get myself out there in order to survive and thrive as an artist. My biggest disappointment? The holiday season. Truthfully, it was a pretty harsh reality check this season. I suppose I need to figure out how to sell illustration when customers are more interested in buying hand knitted scarves...Anyone have any ideas? My head is still spinning....

So, of course, It's that time of year and I'm sitting here thinking of all big changes I'll make happen in the next 12 months. The New Year is filled with such promise. It is a great time to reflect, get rid of what is not working and start again with a clean slate. I'm getting so excited to get going! Here's to an amazing 2014!!!

1. Redo portfolio site! I need to add some of the illustrations from the book I've been working on.
2. Finish that book! My deadline is April 1st!
3. Create a hand written typeface for the book!
4. Find part time job. This is pretty crucial to my well being!
5. Get more involved with The Makeshift Society.
6. Get more involved with my SFEtsy family. Help out more!
7. Introduce myself to more magazine and blogs. Get published!
8. Make more art! (At least 2 pieces a week!)
9. Experiment with new projects!
10. Make a new jewelry collection!
11. Apply to City Arts Gallery!
12. Less Etsy, more Gallery! (Of, course I will still be adding more work to my shop, but I think I need to get my work out there in the real world, where people can appreciate it up close)
13. Start working on larger, more complex editorial pieces. 
14. More walks, more cafes (basically get the hell out of the house more)
15. Daily Journal writing... I'm restarting The Firestarter Sessions book!
16. Get my work into more stores. 
17. Start visualizing what my Big Picture looks like, instead of being bogged down by the little things!
18. Exercise, move...get more energy to do more stuff!
19. Make more connections, collaborate on projects!
20. Redo this blog! Write more, post more, connect to others work.
21. Keep learning and pushing forward!
22. Bring camera with me always, take more photos, capture more references for illustrations.
23. More mini vacations! 
24. Get more organized!

A thought...I going to print this list! Carry it with me. Post it on the wall! Don't forget it!

What is on your list? 

Now imagine yourself with all the things DONE! Feels pretty good doesn't it! Yep!

Here's to You! May you have an amazing 2014!

Happy New Year from Bluehour Studio!

Debbie Styer 2013

 2013 was a strange year. Full of triumphs and disappointments. My business was pretty steady and I got into a few new shops this year but really need to focus and get myself out there in order to survive and thrive as an artist. My biggest disappointment? The holiday season. Truthfully, it was a pretty harsh reality check this season. I suppose I need to figure out how to sell illustration when customers are more interested in buying hand knitted scarves...Anyone have any ideas? My head is still spinning....

So, of course, It's that time of year and I'm sitting here thinking of all big changes I'll make happen in the next 12 months. The New Year is filled with such promise. It is a great time to reflect, get rid of what is not working and start again with a clean slate. I'm getting so excited to get going! Here's to an amazing 2014!!!

1. Redo portfolio site! I need to add some of the illustrations from the book I've been working on.
2. Finish that book! My deadline is April 1st!
3. Create a hand written typeface for the book!
4. Find part time job. This is pretty crucial to my well being!
5. Get more involved with The Makeshift Society.
6. Get more involved with my SFEtsy family. Help out more!
7. Introduce myself to more magazine and blogs. Get published!
8. Make more art! (At least 2 pieces a week!)
9. Experiment with new projects!
10. Make a new jewelry collection!
11. Apply to City Arts Gallery!
12. Less Etsy, more Gallery! (Of, course I will still be adding more work to my shop, but I think I need to get my work out there in the real world, where people can appreciate it up close)
13. Start working on larger, more complex editorial pieces. 
14. More walks, more cafes (basically get the hell out of the house more)
15. Daily Journal writing... I'm restarting The Firestarter Sessions book!
16. Get my work into more stores. 
17. Start visualizing what my Big Picture looks like, instead of being bogged down by the little things!
18. Exercise, move...get more energy to do more stuff!
19. Make more connections, collaborate on projects!
20. Redo this blog! Write more, post more, connect to others work.
21. Keep learning and pushing forward!
22. Bring camera with me always, take more photos, capture more references for illustrations.
23. More mini vacations! 
24. Get more organized!

A thought...I going to print this list! Carry it with me. Post it on the wall! Don't forget it!

What is on your list? 

Now imagine yourself with all the things DONE! Feels pretty good doesn't it! Yep!

Here's to You! May you have an amazing 2014!

2010...It is gonna be a good year!

I'm getting ready to start my New Year now that I have a couple days off work and I can start planning my strategies for my upcoming crazy illustration year. I think it is going to be a crazy exciting year filled with new jobs, new friends and more pressure put on myself to get things done. 2010 will be a fabulous year! I'm excited to start.

My resolutions? Well... there are so the top 3 are:

1. Get a new day job. Something that would be more creative than my current job at the museum and something that could give me more time to work on my illustration.

2. Get bluehour studio to fly. I would love to be doing this on a full time basis and getting more pieces published.

3. Get more organized and ready for whatever comes next. The business class I took last fall was great and would like to find some other classes to keep me motivated. Anyone have any suggestions?

oh, yeah...and I want to lose 10 pounds and learn to meditate.  Is this all too much?

So...Bye bye...to the old...hello to the new year. Wish me luck!