Celebrating a Decade

It was approximately 11 years ago, I asked my friend Bobby to help introduce me to the Denver art world. I knew he was the one to ask because Bobby knows someone that does just about everything and he is an incredible hype man. I knew he would know the right place to start. He encouraged me to try my hand at an open call juried show and even committed to submitting work as well. It was the challenge I needed to get back to something I had loved so much. Creation.

There was a time I thought art would be my only career, I was accepted into RMCAD/Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design at 18 years old. Sadly, I made the decision not to go. While this may have saved me from insurmountable student debt, it also changed my trajectory. I did attend one semester at Front Range Community College, but I found it harder to focus in a college setting than anticipated and withdrew before the end of the semester. Feeling discouraged, I found a job working at Barnes and Noble. I liked it, I felt like I was still surrounded by the creative/artistic people I wanted to be around. That satisfied me for a little while, but I fell into a trap, I started to focus more on what “job” I could “make a living” from. I skipped from retail to banking and then into a medical field. I did well but never felt satisfied, I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind.

Over the years I watched my husband focus on his passion for music and pivot or change to make his creative pursuits part of his life. I saw him make sacrifices and compromises to obtain his dreams. It helped me reflect on what felt off or what was missing. While I never stopped doodling or crafting for myself, I had never put myself out there as an artist. It was this reflection that lead me to ask Bobby for help.

I didn’t get accepted into that juried art show. I was a little bummed, but I didn’t let myself quit. I continued to work on developing skills. I focused on pen and ink illustrations with simple black lines and stippled details. I would take a sketch book and pencil with me everywhere I went. It didn’t matter if I was with a group of friends or alone at a brewery, I was drawing. I shared my art on Instagram and quickly gained a community of like minded artistic minds and a following of new friends. I participated in Inktober, I joined local markets and pop ups and I entered more group shows.

I’ve had countless solo shows, markets, commissions and opportunities along the way. Some I failed at and some went better than I could have dreamed. I am proud to say my art is in collections all over the world. My prints have been purchased, shared and enjoyed by so many. The last 10 years have been emotional, rewarding and expansive. I found my way in this little art world and I gained more community and friends along the way.

 To celebrate I’ve refreshed and rebranded, added hundreds of prints from this past decade of work, including many never before available. I also created a Gallery section to share series from the past 10 years. I hope you take a few minutes to look through the pictures and enjoy them like you’re meandering through a museum. Get lost for a minute with me.

 All of this is to say, Thank you! I wouldn’t be where I am without the appreciation and support. It means the world to me.

Aubrie