2023: A Retrospective

This has been a weird and often frustrating year, but what can I expect when most of the people around me are pretending that the pandemic is over? Fortunately, despite the pandemic, I was still able to get a lot of things done.

I made some new artwork:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/05/my-newest-assemblage-make-something-real.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/07/a-little-something-i-made-recently.html

I saw some beautiful work by other artists:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/01/monochrome-multitudes-at-smart-museum.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-2023-gold-coast-art-fair.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-2023-expo-chicago-show.html

I also went to a few interior design trade shows:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-2023-inspired-home-show.html  

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/06/neocon-2023.html 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/10/design-chicago-2023.html

I wrote a little about supplies that I was excited to use this year:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/04/add-to-cart.html 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/02/of-course-i-had-to-get-this-paint.html

I had a few new business ventures:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/02/mini-collages-at-tiny-frock-shop.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/08/book-signing-at-2023-black-womens-expo.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/12/my-first-international-art-show.html 

I shared my thoughts on technology and social media:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-hand-of-artist.html 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/08/its-not-price-its-principle.html

 

As well as my thoughts on the new Barbie movie and some exhibits at the Field museum: 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/07/my-thoughts-on-barbie-movie.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/07/life-and-death-at-field-museum.html

And the pandemic:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/03/my-3-year-pandemic-anniversary.html

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/10/taking-matters-into-my-own-sanitized.html 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/10/get-art-not-covid.html

 

I celebrated the 30th anniversary of my YA novel with a new cover design: 

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-cover-design-part-4-new-edition.html

And the 15th anniversary of this blog:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-15-year-blog-anniversary.html

And I designed these rooms:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/10/my-latest-interior-design-project-jewel.html

And I raised my rates:

https://tiffanygholar.blogspot.com/2023/07/time-to-raise-my-rates.html

And then there are some things I didn't blog about. I did some more interior design projects at home that I plan to blog about in the future.

 

I had a chance to show my work at a high school's art gallery.

 

A few things that ended this year that I enjoyed, namely the Netflix DVD by mail program and Zulily, shuttered by the greed of a private equity firm. Christmas felt different this year as well, and Kelly Latimore's work embodied it:

 

I'm not into new year's resolutions or superstitions. I don't make vision boards. Since 2020, I stopped setting big goals and try to just take things a day at a time. So at this point, with 2023 behind me, all I can say is that I hope 2024 will be a better year than so many of the years that came before it.

My first international art show

My first international art show opens today! Two photos from The Doll Project are being exhibited as part of the Dolling up the lens: Barbie exhibition in the PH21 photography gallery in Budapest, Hungary. Here's more about the show:

The Barbie phenomenon, spanning over six decades, has left an indelible mark on our culture. It has been a source of inspiration, sparking imaginations, while also evoking strong criticism for its potential impact on body image, self-perception, and identity. Unlike traditional dolls, Barbie emerged as an adult figure, presenting a complete spectrum of allure and sexuality, thus embodying a symbol of beauty and desire. Barbie's world-building transcended mere play; it resembled the art of theater production and film direction, akin to the creative process behind staged photography. Barbie, in her own right, can be seen as an early physical avatar, foreshadowing the virtual avatars prevalent in today's digital realm. Even contemporary video games draw upon the imaginative foundations laid by Barbie. In this call, we invite photographers to explore the multifaceted world of Barbie, embracing both its positive and critical dimensions.

The show will be on view from today through January 6th, 2024, so if you or someone you know happens to be in Budapest, stop by before it closes!