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Pushed Out of My Comfort Zone

Last Sunday I drove 12 hours to one of my favorite places on earth – the Omega Institute in upstate NY – where I attended a 5-day art workshop with Flora Bowley, the artist that taught me to paint many years ago.  And even though I’ve been back home for a couple days, my head is still buzzing with … Keep reading…

The hotel artist is gone for good!

WHAT? Yes, its true, but only the name @thehotelartist is gone, not me or my art. From now on,  I will go by my real name on Instagram – @catrains.artist (ok, artist is not my part of my name, but I’m sure you get the idea!) This decision was a long time coming, and almost … Keep reading…

Countdown to freedom

22 blessed days until I no longer have a day job. My heart is wide open and glowing as I type these words. Yet here’s the bigger truth.  I have ALWAYS been free. I was free to stay in a day job for 12 years, even when my heart longed to do art full time, … Keep reading…

Why abstracts?

When I started creating art 24 years ago, I choose collage as my medium because I could not draw.  Who can not tear up magazines and put them back together, right!?  I fully explored this art form, found a unique expression through 3D collage and had a successful run selling my 3D collages. Life eventually … Keep reading…

I quit my job, at last.

Yes, its true. As of January 1, 2018, I will once again be a full time artist. Typing these words fills me with so much joy that I literally feel like doing cartwheels and telling everyone I meet! I will transition to full time art in 2018 by working one-week a month as a contractor for … Keep reading…

Transformation into the Hotel Artist

TODAY I’m taking action, and I feel both exhilarated and nervous about doing it.  After discussing every possible positive and negative outcome with trusted friends and fellow artists, I finally decided to change my Instagram username from @catrains_collage to @thehotelartist. Although a small action on the surface, there are so many uncertainties that continue to swirl in and out … Keep reading…

Day 17 – ALL is in perfect order, whether at home or on the road

After 12 days on the road, I’ll be driving back over this bridge in a few hours toward the Omaha airport, arriving home later tonight for a heavenly weekend hunkered down in my art studio.  I have loved every minute of where my day job has taken me these last 2 weeks –  New Orleans, Dallas (personal side trip for family), … Keep reading…

Day 15 – “Do you like all the travel?”

The number one question I am asked as I travel for my day job is “do you like ALL the travel?”, usually said in a tone that says “you surely don’t”.  In fact, someone asked me this again today. Admittedly traveling almost weekly does have its challenges, but I always answer this question the same way, with simple gratitude for … Keep reading…

Day 14 – Doing “art” in Iowa

With no time off between business trips (I don’t count helping someone pack all weekend being off :), I flew to Omaha, and then drove 2 hours to Sioux City Iowa last night to begin 4 nights working with a client there for my day job. Did I mention that I finally bought a new bright … Keep reading…