Today I do a bit of a reconnection to my local art world by volunteering as the Docent in their member-run gallery for five hours this afternoon.

I try to volunteer somehow once a week or so. It is *deeply* validating. It’s a happy place for me.

I get to work on my art surrounded by beautiful pieces made by new friends. I get to listen to soft music, converse with visitors, handle sales.

I can’t tell you how good it feels to be useful, to be actively engaged in contributing to something that brings light and hope and positivity to the world. I could go to a soup kitchen or help with some environmental efforts, but I feel like this is something I can do that others can’t. It parlays my skills into something that needs doing, that others can’t really do.

It makes me feel needed. Relevant. Hopeful. And it’s something I can choose to do to help cleanse my darkening soul a little from feeling utterly depressed and helpless. It’s not a lot, but it’s at least *something*. Every bit of positivity helps.

So I’ll take my iPad and an art history book I’m working on, and simply contribute by being there. It does truly help.

https://www.redwoodart.net/

#art #artistlife #Artlife #Volunteering #RedwoodCoast #EurekaCA

Eureka city council passes strong anti‑war resolution after community pressure

Eureka, CA – The Eureka city council unanimously approved a strengthened anti‑war resolution opposing U.S. military intervention in Venezuela at a special meeting held on January 12. The meeting was called under pressure from, and following sustained organizing by, the Humboldt Anti‑War Committee (HAWC), who had proposed the initial resolution in early December. During the meeting, their repeated public demand was that the city adopt clearer, stronger language opposing war.

[...]

https://fightbacknews.org/articles/eureka-city-council-passes-strong-anti-war-resolution-after-community-pressure

Just completed my 21st event of the year as an art vendor, having moved here to Humboldt County in northern California eight months ago.

i’m deep tired.

But I’m proud that I did it. From shifting my career away from academia toward freelance art, I found a home that would encourage me and events where I could find my people. I started making work that was of interest to the people of my region, and learned a whole lot about what they wanted and needed.

These events have been exhausting and validating at the same time. I couldn’t have asked for a softer landing after choosing to relocate to a new home with no safety cushion, no acquaintances, and no orientation to the area. It was the most terrifying leap of faith I’d ever done. And it is slowly paying off—maybe not in money but in community networking and encouragement.

So I’m tired now. I’m going to pick up the pieces this next week and assess what comes next. Tonight, however, I am indulging in an adult beverage and a warm yummy comfort-food dinner or cheesy hamburger rice. And a good audiobook I’m enjoying.

Whew. Big time exhale.

#art #artlife #artistlife #RedwoodCoast #EurekaCA #IndieArtist #artvendor #Craftfair

Tomorrow is the Humboldt Artisans Craft and Music Festival here in Eureka, CA in northern California.

I’m a vendor this time, and I’ve never done it before. I’m nervous. It’s three days long, and I’m hoping I have enough stock. I’m lucky in that I can print things each night here in my own studio if I run out a particular item, but it’s still going to be a long weekend.

Should be cool—they turn off the lights, so it’s all wintery and fun. All the vendors have to have their own lighting. And there’s holiday music in each of the three buildings, so It’ll be nice. My building apparently has electrical and heating issues, so I’m a tad concerned about that, but I use my own battery, so I should be okay.

I’ll be selling some new holiday greeting cards along with all my other stuff, as well as my new 2026 Bird Calendar, so I’ll have seasonal stuff that’s appropriate.

Wish me luck!

https://humboldtartisans.com/

#fair #festival #craftfair #musicfestival #indieartist ##artfair #RedwoodCoast #HumboldtCounty #EurekaCA #Artistlife

I had such a good day volunteering at the Redwood Art Association today. It’s one of several local art co-ops, and has a large member-run gallery where we did “intake” day for the next upcoming show.

I got to check-in artists as they dropped off their pieces for the new show or picked up entries from the previous exhibition, meeting them and seeing their work. I got to sit with some long-time volunteers who delightful and positive, and we laughed and told stories the whole time. It felt like being part of a family.

The new show was focused on fiber art and sculpture, and there was everything from quilts to protest art, mobiles and wooden assemblages. 87 pieces total, i think? I can’t imagine how they’re going to hang some of it.. The creativity was off the hook!!

It was a really really good day. I needed it.

https://www.redwoodart.net/

#art #artistlife #artlife #IndieArtist #RedwoodCoast #EurekaCA #HumboldtCounty

Got this done on my livestream tonight. It's a piece I'm calling "Trillium, Trio, and Tree". It features fauna present in Eureka, CA's Sequoia City Park. It includes trillium, ivy, clover, ferns, and a Redwood branch and trunks, as well as a grove of Redwoods in the upper picture plane.

I like texture and Art Nouveau-esque stylization, so I often combine them. It's entirely done in Procreate by hand, not using any generative image slop tools. This piece will be a greeting card and a print.

Speedpaint: https://makertube.net/w/1sHos6Exrkz4jkr6KY6BnS

Artist Links: https://coreyartusimageryinfo.carrd.co/

#art #MastoArt #Procreate #IndieArtist #RedwoodCoast #EurekaCA

So the forecasted rain has finally hit Eureka this afternoon, and Humboldt County is blanketed in gray skies, wet roads, and dripping roofs.

Apparently, the California Redwood Coast area isn’t known for it’s sprawling vistas of orange and red leaves as deciduous trees turn colors. Most of the area is covered in coniferous trees that don’t change.

So autumn here, in some ways, means a bit of a return to hibernation, of warm fires, of cozy.

Rain doesn’t stop these hearty folks up here. But it is a herald of the return of the area’s signature Pacific Northwest climate, which is relished and enjoyed by most.

Tonight, I will have a cappuccino bomb made by a local candy-maker I met this summer whose booth was beside mine at some local street fairs. I’ve had one before, and they're delicious! Our wood stove is cranking out delicious heat.

And a feeling of tired warmth, of withdrawal, of protection and fatigue settles in.

I sewed sheer curtain walls for the interior version of my booth today out of cheap plastic organza. I think they will look nice.

And I listened to the rain begin.

#RedwoodCoast #EurekaCA #Rain #Autumn #cozy

#nokings #eurekaca

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2025/oct/18/no-kings/