An adventure trip to Ethiopia and Qatar in the Fall of 2023 kickstarted a year of many travels, both near and far.
It has taken me a while to fully articulate what 2024 has meant to me. It has been a time of reaching out, reconnecting with the dearest of dearest friends, and striving to relate in new ways, more deeply, more truthfully. With this has come an openness to hearing and accepting their perspectives about me, about life, and in turn, responding not with defensiveness, but with love and compassion.
I journeyed to places for one-to-one, heart-to-heart, sister-to-brother, friend-to-friend connections, and in doing so, my travels led me quite literally across the globe. I shared in a tapestry of emotions, from despair and loss to exuberant joy, and on the way, celebrated the art, nature and food of some of my favorite locales like Brooklyn, Maui, Stockholm and Chiang Mai.
Some places felt almost brand new, like my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Helen, a friend since the early 70’s, reacquainted me with the old homestead, and truly times have changed in the Burgh! I made a stop at Randyland on the North Side, which is one man’s fantastical collection of found objects that takes form as an eye-popping art walk. It is such a gift to the Arts. Then there's the view of the three Rivers, which is phenomenal, revealing the unique geography of the city.
Earlier in the Spring, an especially close group of friends reunited in Maui. The four of us called ourselves 'The Quad.' After an exuberant week of catching up, Margarita, one of the Quad, unexpectedly died. It was a devastating loss. Her son said of her passing: "She gave us so much, so there’s no way we can be empty.” It couldn't have been more true. It also spurred on my trek of reconnections...It's the giving and sharing that ultimately makes us feel whole.
Above, in pictures, I share some highlights from my travels in 2024.
JAN MICHAELS JEWELRY AT WINTER ART FAIRE 2024
After a year of travels, I'm happy to announce that I'm staying put this December and coming out of retirement for 2 days to participate in the Art Guild of Pacifica's Winter Art Faire 2024 - It will be held at the Sanchez Art Center on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 AM to 5 PM. You'll find me in Studio 3.
I'll be showing a bounty of classic Jan Michaels Jewelry with many pieces from my own personal collection -- All in time for Christmas!
You'll be able to shop for necklaces, bracelets and rings from very early Jan Michaels collections. And as many of you already know, most pieces are one-of-a-kind at this point, so if you miss it, it's gone forever!
The Faire hosts a slew of talented artistans who will offer a full range of fine crafts that will make for unique holiday gifts, such as pottery, textiles, original paintings, soaps, jams and teas, lots of art on the walls, and so much more.
I do hope you can come by to say hello and join me for some fun holiday shopping.
DETAILS
Winter Art Faire 2024
Saturday, Dec 14
Sunday, Dec 15
11 AM - 5 PM
1220 Linda Mar Blvd
Pacifica, CA 94044
I'll be in Studio 3
Contact me at jan@janmichaels.com with any questions!
NEW ART EVOLUTION
Besides jewelry, I'll be showing a few new mixed media pieces at the Faire, including this 2' x 4' Transformation Thangka. A thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting that typically depicts a deity or manadala and is used for personal meditation or spiritual instruction.
This is an exciting evolution that combines many of the new skills that I've learned in the last few years with fine detailed work.
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