Did I just wake up from a dream?

Meet Stu and Mika.

You haven’t heard from me since before COVID. Well, I’ve finally surfaced, and I’m ready to divulge some juicy updates.

I wish you’d come out the other side like me with the same joy and a new perspective on life. I live with the saying, “One day at a time,” and it manages to keep me grateful for the simple pleasures in my life. My friends, health, and a roof over my head.

Some of you know my dad passed a couple of years ago during COVID. It’s a life experience we’ll all go through, yet we’re never taught or provided any tools to get through it. A practice that helped me was writing with a vision of my dad with a cigarette in hand, looking at me with his soft, deep eyes saying, “Worry about nothing.” So I was able to carry on with love in my heart.

Since my dad’s passing, I’ve found a new freedom. I’m turning 65 in a few days and realized, hey, isn’t that the age when people retire? RIGHT? Well, let’s say I am practicing what that looks like. 

How does an artist retire? 

The answer is we don’t. I may not have to run a business anymore, but I am working at “courageous creativity” and sharing it in the world and here with you. I love making things and will continue to have my greeting cards available here on the site. I’ll be working on a website overhaul over the next few months. The most exciting news is that I’ll be launching a Kickstarter soon that was influenced by my 100-day project, which you can revisit.

I’m melding my love of words and images together into a cast of characters card deck.

I’m hoping you’ll stick with me into this next chapter and follow along. I’m working on a special opportunity for those who are interested, so stay tuned and get ready to make magic with your imagination.