10,047 Visits and Not Being a Super Star

I happened to look at one of the gadgets on my blog today, which counts the number of page views and visits since I started the blog. Too bad I didn't look at it earlier in the week when it hit 10,000!! Today it is at 10,047 visits with 16,645 page views but I would lay odds, that most of that is ME (LOL) looking back at my own stuff or posting new things. I find it very interesting (and convenient) to have all my stuff easily accessible online.

I started this blog in 2006 when I was headed to San Diego on a business/leisure trip. I wanted the blog to be able to post pics of my big adventure on the west coast, so I wouldn't have to email boring photos to my friends. The blog has evolved into a journal, with mostly artwork along with a few other things that happened in my life along the way, that I'd like to document. It has brought some new long-distance 'web-friends' who found my blog and we enjoy commenting on each others' work. 

I know I don't have a large web presence, but this is enough for me. Some of the people I know (mostly non-artists) ask me why I don't quit my 'real job' and really get serious to become a full time artist. I love to work on my artwork, but I realize, it will only be a hobby to me. In the past, I was deeply involved in a different medium - workshops, lectures, demos, some traveling, some national awards, but I retreated from that in about 2004. It got to be too expensive to try to 'keep up' with the big shots and it took away from the fun of creating. As in that medium and now in the fine arts arena, I realize I don't have the drive, time, money, talent or personality to be a Super Star and I am fine with that.

I like to follow many of the leaders in the field by lurking on the blogs, Facebook or websites, but sometimes their personalities are as big as their giant heads. Although there is a small group who are very successful and haven't let the fame go to their heads. I have been fortunate to meet some of these gracious, lovely, nurturing artists who I feel have become my friends. This alone has been a wonderful way that my little blog has helped me connect with some great artists and make new friendships.

So anyway..... to those of you that contributed to that big 10,000 visit number, thanks for visiting my blog!