Starting Over In Any Moment

In this moment, I’m sitting at a little restaurant by our house. The walk here was so cold that I had to tuck my head into my jacket up to my eyes, dig my hands deep into my pockets and go as fast as I could. I made the trek though, without hesitation, just for a chance to get away from the house.

I’ve always loved the start of the New Year as a way of getting centered and dreaming but this year was different. The first came and went and I found myself feeling more in a funk than I ever have. I was fueling my body with sugar (Ben & Jerrys for dinner, I’m not even kidding) and staying up super late (what do you think happens when you eat Ben & Jerrys for dinner?), waking up early with the boys and dragging.

I couldn’t pick up a camera. I couldn’t finish a sentence. I just sat and doodled in between the rushes of being mom. Honestly, it was my sketchbook and my short workouts that pulled me through. A few days before the month ended, I decided enough was enough and I cut the sugar. I had a headache for 2 straight days.

I came out of that fog a new person. Seriously, a new person! Now, I’m sleeping way better which makes everything in my day better (I can write again!) and now I’m looking hard at 2022.

What should we do?
What can I do this year, with intention?

The word I keep coming back to is FOCUS.

To be honest, I’m so damn over the busyness. The scroll. I deleted Twitter permanently. TikTok permanently. I’m toying with the idea of being done with Facebook for good too.

Although I’ve always loved Instagram, I’ve been a bit disenchanted with it recently. It’s been hard for me to find the inspiration to post. Maybe it’s just a season? My people are there and I love the IG art world.. so it might have to be a pause and come back refreshed.

All I know is I am craving focus. Focus on my boys, my art (photography) and my blog.

I swear, all of this is a never ending process . I try. I fail. I think again. I try again.

So here’s to starting over in any moment and focusing on what is most important to you.

- Elyse’

“Missplaced”

Analog Collage
6x6, 2022

BAD APPLES - Analog Collage Collection

Society puts a lot of pressure on women to be a certain way. In ‘Bad Apples,’ the analog collage series, I work to shatter the negativity associated with choosing a different path. Using paper, old book pages and glue — I create art that proudly tells a different story.

This collection reminds us that there’s beauty in who you are, no matter what you’re told to be.
It represents freedom, femininity, equality and yes, a bit of magic.

On the Road & In Flight are a part of the first collage show with PxP Contemporary. You can purchase either of those straight from their website. The remaining 11 pieces are for sale right on my website. You can shop both by clicking on the buttons below.

Thank you so so much for being here and checking out my work. I appreciate you!

On the Road, Original Collage
8x10, 2020

Available for purchase on PxP Contemporary

In Flight, Original Collage
8x10, 2020

Available for purchase on PxP Contemporary

Believe It, Original Collage
6x6, 2020

Electric, Original Collage
6x6, 2020

Skin, Original Collage
8x10, 2020

Out, Original Collage
6x6, 2020

Pieces, Original Collage
6x6, 2020

Feel It, Original Collage
6x6, 2020

Held, Original Collage
8x10, 2020

Storm, Original Collage
6x9, 2020

Solitude, Original Collage
6x9, 2020

No, Thank You, Original Collage
5x7, 2020

Taller, Original Collage
5x7, 2020

DO YOU SAY YES?

I was thinking about it the other day — about some of the people I admire.

Photographers, sharks, athletes, artists, you know, the makers.
People out in the world doing interesting and creative things.

And I thought about what it is I admire most.

Easy.

They said YES.

Sometime, somewhere in their journey, they said YES to something uncomfortable.
To something scary.
To something they might not have felt ready for.

They said yes to looking dumb.
They risked failing.
And then they risked failing again.

They said yes to changing course.
Yes to trying.

They get up early.
They do the work.
They say yes.

So to anyone out there saying yes, when you so badly want to say no and run far away and hide forever, I admire you.

Keep going.

Remember to Dip a Toe in 2020

It all started with a harmonica my son got in his Christmas stocking.

He was excited and eager but didn't have a clue what to do. I attempted to show him, but trust me, I wasn't the one to do it, so I pulled up a video online so he could see what it was all about.

One simple google search and there were pages and pages and pages of results. Lessons, tutorials, classes and how-tos. Beginners, intermediate and masters -- any and all ages.

And as I played a couple songs for my son, picturing him as the next Bob Dylan, all I could think about was how we can so easily learn about anything. Absolutely anything.

And that's so cool, isn't it? That we can pick any topic, walk to the edge and dive in, head first.

When it comes to exploring creatively -- the opportunities are endless.

Dip a toe.

You've got nothing to lose.

- Elyse’

I’m waist deep, as we speak, in digital collage art. As someone who has literally dipped all of my toes in something different, it feels good to be progressing. I might be going under with this one! Combining my photographs with other elements to finally complete my thoughts.

Skillshare is my companion into the night and I’m currently watching Marcos Morales’s classes on digital collage. Neat stuff.

Anyways, as always, I’d love to hear about what you’re exploring in 2020 so I can root you on! I hope this year blesses you beyond!