Retirement - Take II

Project 15 - Day 77

It's not that I didn't get it right the first time. But recently I have been reminded of the many reasons I took the plunge two years ago. They are the same reasons that I have decided to do it again.

I am relinquishing my spot at the gallery. The Artist Colony at the Esplanade's Portside Studio will carry on without me beginning on June 15th. I loved working there in the midst of all of that creative energy. I made new friends, both artists and Colony visitors. I listened in quiet amazement as clients talked about the art. I sold my work. I laughed with my co-workers. I learned a lot about business, art marketing and myself. It was a once in a life-time opportunity, one I would not have missed for the world.

But in the end it wasn't a hard decision to make. I have a need to spend more time with family. My Nashville family. My Carolina family. My Pennsylvania family. I have a need to travel, to visit places I have never been. I want to capture it all on my Nikon (if it ever comes home again). And if those images never grace a stranger's home, so be it. They will be imprinted in my memory and on my heart.

The Artist Colony was never my dream, it was an opportunity. I have no regrets. (I would have it I hadn't participated.) I didn't become rich and famous; nor did I fall on my face. I can walk away content with myself.

Now it's time to get on with my dreams.

So family....ready or not, here I come.