Lesson learned, plans to come ::

1. If I stand in the middle of bravery and fear for too long, I'll starve to death. I'll battle which way I'm going to let the chopped tree fall and wither away into a puddly mess. No nourishment. No light to grow towards the sun. I found myself trapped in that place between August and November. I finally fell towards bravery in December and opportunities have sprouted from the planted roots of indecisiveness and stillness. Lesson learned :: movement and growth are so absolutely essential, but so is the middle ground because it fuels the fire to melt the frozen stream. Bravery is my word for 2017. 

2. I'm so eager for a free, warmer weekend soon to get back outside for the purpose of exploration and foraging. Finding natural oddities to manipulate into sculpture and wreathes has woven into my soul. In the meantime, I have a bag full of dried hydrangeas (pictured above -- the shadows!!!) awaiting my hands to use in a passion project. Perhaps I'll install a few to hang from the ceiling of my apartment studio space because -- the shadows!!! 

3. Bravery Mission. This is a near and dear project born in 2016 that has taken root. The previously blank journal now has a few submissions of bravery stories from anonymous writers. I hope you'll join me at the table in 2017 to share the brave and courageous spaces and stories in your daily life -- my prayer is that someday, Bravery Mission will be a web of anonymous musings that encourage readers in their own deeply rooted, lionhearted bravery. Click {here} to submit your own anonymous Bravery Mission story and click {here} to explore the project. 

4. In connection to Bravery Mission, I'm in the very, very beginning stages of writing a book by the same name. "Bravery Mission" will be a collection of essays of experiences I've had, courageous moments I've recognized in others, and pieces influenced by the posts in the Bravery Mission blog. I want my book to reflect bravery in all spaces of life as I hope to empower fellow humans, ladies especially, and help them recognize that bravery is already there — even when fear seems to be pulling you under. 

5. I was a camp counselor for four summers at Camp Fontanelle, and seeing as I won't be able to return this summer as a staff member, it's on my heart to continue to serve the place that's shaken my life in the best way. 10% of any sale made from my KATEWORKS Shop from now on will be put towards sponsoring a camper's week at camp because I so strongly believe in the importance of camping ministry. Know that when you purchase my work, you will be blessing a camper's life and faith journey, and that truly means something valuable. 

6. I can't say much right now so this is a playful teaser -- I've been in contact with a few artists whose work and philosophies closely resonate with my own and we will be discussing potential collaboration opportunities in the future! The community and encouragement aspect I've found with these creatives is vital to my current practice, especially as I graduated from my college art clan last May. Stay tuned... ;)

7. I'm sure I have another plan nestled into my brain besides this last one, though I'm having trouble digging it up (mainly because I woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m., drove 2.5 hours to Grand Island from Omaha, then worked from 8-5. EEK). So! The last bit I'll share is that I'm going to be website and social media strategizing -- defining my brand in a more solid, accurate representation of my artist voice and what I want my work and words to portray. This means I'll be working on majorly updating my website and coming up with a game plan for my online presence! Intentionality and purpose are biggie goals for 2017. 

My heart and soul are so prepared for what 2017 is holding in her arms as she knocks eagerly at my front door. I'm welcoming her warmly with these creative opportunities and chances to connect with my fellow humans. What is 2017 knocking at your door with??