It's a particular habit of mine that, when I'm feeling anxious or unsettled, I like to go to art galleries. Seeing other people's creativity is refreshing, like a cup of tea or a hot shower. And it calms my mind.
One day last year I was wandering around a local gallery when I spotted a painting by Kirsten Tradowsky. Kirsten paints representationally--she's not a showy painter, but her work has soul and a gorgeous, rich, yet muted palette. I inquired about the painting, but it was out of my price range, and, as you can imagine, paintings have not been not at the top of my list of economic priorities.
Over the next few days, I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I emailed Kirsten to let her know how much I appreciated her work and to ask if she'd add me to her mailing list. I received a lovely note back, and, a few months later, an email inviting me to an open house. J., Isaac and I went, and I bought a piece from her and wrote about it here. My sister saw my blog post, and sweetly commissioned a watercolor for my birthday.
And then it hit me. Kirsten was the perfect person to paint a banner for The Family Room. I asked her if she would do it, and she agreed. My favorite part of the banner is the image of Isaac at the beach that Beata took more than two years ago. Neat likeness, huh?
It's taken me a few months of coding hell, but I finally taught myself enough to design a new look. I'm launching it in honor of BlogHer 2008, where Vicki, Shannon, Kristina, Jennifer and I will be presenting a panel called "Blogging About Our Children with Special Needs." I wish you all could be there, but someone will be live-blogging the session and I'll post all the links here.
So, ta-da, here it is: the new look. I hope you like it. And as always, thanks for reading.
Wow, that's sensational! Oh, the envy of those attending BlogHer...I'll be salivating for those links, my dear!!!
Posted by: Niksmom | July 05, 2008 at 04:15 AM
It's perfect. I love it.
Posted by: goodfountain | July 05, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Wow! Awesome.
Posted by: Special Needs Mama | July 05, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Susan, it's beautiful and that story made me teary.
Posted by: Jordan | July 05, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Lovely. So lovely.
Posted by: squid | July 05, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Gorgeous! love the color scheme!
Posted by: Kristina Chew | July 05, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Gorgeous - and the blue and the beige are the two colors I used in my house! Good taste, lady!
Posted by: drama mama | July 05, 2008 at 06:58 PM
It's beautiful, Susan! I absolutely love the new look. Congrats!!!
Posted by: kristen | July 05, 2008 at 10:57 PM
It's beautiful and classy. Gotta love it!
Posted by: Ellen Gerstein | July 08, 2008 at 12:19 PM