Last call for art.

closing up shop at ShelbyMathisStudios tonight

Hey there, happy Monday.

There’s no essay headed your way today as promised last week. I’m not apologizing, but I am here to say that I need a few more days with my next publication, and you’ll know why then.

But today I wanted to pop in to say thank you if you’ve purchased something from my Etsy store. I’ve sold over $1,700 in artwork and prints in the last few months, and I’m so excited to get to share my work and support my sabbatical this way. All profits after printing, shipping, and non-profit partner donations get to go straight toward my upcoming sabbatical.

Fun fact: just from orders in the last week, I’m sending prints out to Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, and ITALY! Seriously, community makes everything so much better.

Closing time.

EVERYTHING in my store is 10% OFF! Not only does the sale end today, I’m shutting the doors on my shop. I’m closing my Etsy shop indefinitely after tonight, so get your order in today! Buying art today from my shop means supporting me, supporting my non-profit partners, and supporting rest for artists. It’s how it all keeps trucking. Here’s where you can find me on Etsy:

Bloom Where You’re Planted.

Another way to support me is through a Venmo donation. If you send $15 or more, I’ll send you this digital poster (below) I designed as a “thank you”. I’m offering the print in exchange for a smaller contribution to my sabbatical. This is an affordable, easy, direct way to support my trip, my time off, and my art. I know not everyone can afford what I am offering on Etsy, but this is an easy way to be a part of making my sabbatical a reality. Here’s my link:

What’s next.

As for my sabbatical, I leave in two and a half weeks. Can’t wait and also …there’s much to be done. You can read more about my plans and how I’m funding it here in “A new offering”.

I’m making the final bookings, having final logistical calls, wrapping up work projects, doing the last-gathering-before-I-leave things, and completed a trial run of packing because I’m taking carry-on only (for two continents and two different climates and two separate seasons and totally unique activities and dress codes! Seriously, it may be an accomplishment worth writing Home about someday.)

This is the task-heavy part, but I’m getting ready. The anticipation is rising. It’s almost here.

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for a couple more longform essays before I leave on my sabbatical. Thanks for being here. Thanks for buying my art. Thanks for staying curious about it all.

See you soon,

P.S. If you missed it, I just celebrated my 10th work anniversary! You can see the timeline, hear the stories, and take in my reflections of 10 years as a working artist, told in three parts:

• Part one.
  (Years 1-5 of my creative career)

• Part two
  (Years 6-10 of my creative career)

• Part three.
  (10 lessons design taught me about life, and life taught me about design)

Thanks for celebrating with me!