We will see how this goes…

Is this the first blog I’ve tried to start? No. Will it be my last? Maybe, probably not. Who am I talking to… will anyone read this? Great question.

It is almost Christmas in the year 2024. And of course right after Christmas comes New Years and then the impending NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (that everyone always makes but never keeps to…) BUT this doesn’t count because I am starting BEFORE New Years and so maybe I’ll actually keep with it.

We will see.

I think the first thing every blog needs is a clever name and an introduction. I’m blanking on the clever name because I think I already had the best one (as a math teacher, it was called Going on a Tangent.. GET IT!!!?!?) How am I going to top that? Not sure but that does lead quite nicely into an introduction.

My name is Elise, I graduated in 2019 from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education and a Minor in Art. I married the love of my life, Freddy and a year later we brought home the most perfect pup to complete our little family (for now).

I loved school. So much that I never left it, teaching 4 years of middle school math (along with a few other random subjects I was unwittingly thrown into teaching). I have lots of reasons for switching careers, but thats for a different blog.

Though Math and Art don’t seem to be compatible, they always have been for me (I know.. this is super unfair and annoying.. don’t hate me). I think there is an art to mathematics and there can be a mathematics to art. Maybe I’ll have a ted talk about that someday… for now, I am happy to be making art and doing math for my own enjoyment and kinda as a part of my job!

What is my job you ask? Well. It’s very hard to explain. But I’ll try. I work for Finding Foxtale. My title is Director of Experience (though that should probably be updated). If I named my job more accurately I might be called a Product Designer and Manager. Or Graphic Designer and Marketer. Or Content Creator and Manager. I wear many hats (nothing new to teachers…) and have already learned SO much about SO many things. It’s been an amazing opportunity.

Why do you care? I’m not really sure. Are blogs supposed to give you something? If that’s what you were hoping for and now you’re here, apologies. I don’t think this is going to be that type of blog.

When I dream about what this blog will be (can be- if I stick with it >.< ) is more like a journal. A thought space. To share my journey through life and art. Discovering my style, and things about myself. Something I can look back on in a few years and have for forever, a glimpse into my life at 28.

Christmas Dreaming is playing on the stereo. The Tree is happily plumped in the corner, wrapped goodies nestled underneath her skirts. A sweet herby smell fills the air as roa snoozes by the front door.

I want to remember every moment.

Besides working at Finding Foxtale, I’ve had some amazing artistic opportunities lately. The most notable being designing a window installment for Grand Rapids World of Winter Festival! Pics and a blog about that project to follow. For now, to wrap, a clever name…

…

For now, we will call it “Talking in circles, Typing in squares”. Not as clever as going on a tangent but I think it will do for now:)

Thanks for reading. Till next time!