Summer Time Flow
Hello dear friends!
It’s been a minute since you’ve heard from me. Life is very life-y these days which is to say up, down, and everything in between.
Thank You
What gets me through the lows and makes the highs all the sweeter is how much I have to be grateful for. Your support for what I do, the ability to make art for you and your loved ones is nothing short of a privilege. I’ll never take for granted the support I receive because I want you to know I see you and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.
A New Way of Being
I am continuing to keep a low profile socially, even though lots of people seem to be out and about here in SoFlo. My days consist of painting a lot in my studio and I seem to have a different sort of fire in my soul to create work. Art has really stepped forward as the medium through which I process all the lessons life has handed me this past year. I’m not sure where this journey will take me in regards to the art I’m creating but I trust that if I keep showing up to the blank canvas day by day I’ll get to where I need to be. As the wise are known to say, trust the process. I am working on not judging my art, myself, or others around me. Radical acceptance is a necessary beast for me to tackle!
Taking Home New Art
Another development as of late: James and I have committed ourselves to do a bit of art collecting over the past year. We feel if people are going to support us we need to do the same and we love art so it’s a win-win. We set aside a little extra each month and have made several modest purchases with our savings. I would love to know what you have collected during Covid, or how you showed your support to your community!
Some of our lovely purchases include…
Two Cleon Peterson prints https://cleonpeterson.com/
A beautiful Devin Morris photograph http://www.devinnmorris.com/
A nude painting on wood by local South Florida artist Tara Sinclair
An original work on paper by Victor Meneses www.artnotfart.net
We were also gifted a magnificent moody ocean painting in an old hand-carved gold frame. Needless to say, we are almost out of room at our home but somehow we always find somewhere for the latest piece. Onto the ceiling next?
What’s Coming Up!
I have been working on a few new textiles, continuing my shoe collection collaboration with Coast and Koi, designing a fab one of kind hand painted Jordache romper, and all-new "Candies", my petite paintings collection.
So yes, I've been busy! I also have a wonderful cotton dress for summer that will be ready next week.
The Amanda James Gallery is starting to look amazing and the boutique looks better than ever! New feathers in the ceiling, yummy hot pink hand-tufted rugs on the floors, and we’re fully stocked for all our summer locals! We are really excited about next season and we will be opening our fall season with a group show including a wonderful New York artist in our newly renovated gallery space... stay tuned!!!
Self Care, Popcorn Flicks, & A Lifelong Goal Achieved
I am still doing my six-day 130 degree infrared workouts which have been a lifesaver. I can’t recommend enough, whatever you’re able to do, do it!
In my down time, James and I have watched every superhero, DC, and Marvel movie we can find and I have been listening to two podcasts.
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PS... I love Van Halen and thought you might like to see how I have almost reached my hair goals of looking like David Lee Roth... lol.
As this post comes to an end, I wanted to take a quick moment to say Rest In Peace Blitz. My family has said goodbye to my dad’s faithful 19 year old Australian Shepherd. He was an amazing pup and will be sorely missed.
I wanted to close this post with a minor call to action. In a year when we’ve been afraid of death, it’s important that we remember how to live. If you’re feeling the weight of the world or just need a breather, put down your phone, avoid social media, and take care of yourself <3
X.O.
- Amanda Johnson