Three weeks ago, I shared the news that our business was transitioning in a new direction.
If I’m being honest, the day that announcement went out was really hard for me. It felt like something I had given so much of my life to was being taken apart so that I could start feeling like myself again — and so something new could be built in its place. There was a lot of grief that day. But I also knew deep down it was the right decision, so I tried to trust the process.
When the announcement went live at 10 AM on February 17th, orders started coming in almost immediately. Within a minute or two my phone was lighting up with notifications. At first I honestly thought something was wrong with our website because there were so many coming through that I couldn’t believe it.
Within 14 hours we had sold more than we often do in an entire month.
It was wild. And incredibly humbling.
Along with the orders came emails, messages, and notes filled with kindness. I expected there might be some backlash or disappointment, but instead there was just love, understanding, and support. Many of you wrote to say you understood the decision. A few even shared that you were in a similar place in your own life and that this announcement made you think about changes you might need to make too.
Your support meant more than I can put into words.
Because of the volume of orders, it did take us longer than usual to get everything shipped out. We simply don’t have the staff to process that many orders in such a short window of time. But our small team worked incredibly hard and we were able to get everything out within 10–12 business days. Normally we’re much faster, so thank you for the patience and grace you showed us. I’m deeply grateful for my team and the long hours they put in to make it happen.
During this same time we also launched the Love & Remembrance Collection, which has already become one of the most meaningful series I’ve created.
I made these pieces for people who want a gentle way to honor someone they love. Whether that person is still here or has passed on, these paintings were meant to be quiet reminders of connection, memory, and the love that stays with us. Seeing how deeply this collection has resonated with people has been incredibly moving.
We also released The Great Blue Heron, a piece that feels very personal to me. I often see blue herons when I’m out in nature thinking through big decisions. Over the years I’ve come to love what this bird represents — quiet strength, wisdom, and patience.
And while these past few weeks have been full, I’ve also been back in the studio working on new pieces.
Right now I’m finishing two small collections that I’m really excited about. One is an ocean-inspired series (sneak-peek above!), and the other is a collection of animals in nature doing their jobs. Every painting in these collections is 5 x 7 inches, and they’ve been incredibly fun to create. We’ll be releasing them in April in a slightly different way than we’ve done things before, so stay tuned!
One of the best parts of this transition has been reconnecting with my artwork.
It feels wonderful to be painting again. I wish I could say I’ve had endless time for it already, but the truth is that shutting down about 80% of a business is a lot more work than I anticipated. The good news is that the computer work should slow down over the next couple of weeks, and I’m really looking forward to devoting at least half of my work week to creating again.
Personally, I’m doing really well. I feel healthier both physically and mentally than I have in a long time. This transition wasn’t an easy decision, but it has already brought a sense of clarity and peace that I’m very grateful for.
Caedon started t-ball season and is loving it! We had his first game the past Saturday and it was a true joy to watch him play. How is he 4 already?
As for what’s ahead, I’m still excited. Still ready for the adventure and the challenge of rebuilding. And most of all, incredibly thankful to be in a position where I can make this transition and continue creating the art I love.
Thank you for being here and supporting this next chapter.
— Amanda
Comments
Life is a series of changes, much love and blessings as you and your family transition to this exciting new chapter.
I honor your commitment to your family. They are everything. I have loved your art for years now. I especially love to connect with friends by snail mail. I understand many people do not take the time to slow down and put to paper words that can be read and reread but I love it. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities to deeply and beautifully connect with friends. I will miss the note cards especially. I have ordered your heron for my wall. Unfortunately I have less wall space than notes to write. I wish you all the love as you move into the future. I will miss you.