Balzer Designs

Adventures in Arting Podcast: Wrapping Up 2020

Is it too early to wrap up 2020? On the podcast Mom and I are discussing the lessons learned in 2020 and what we hope for 2021. If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. On the off chance that you've never listened to a podcast or don't get why anybody would want to, here are some facts: (1) Podcasts are convenient. It's a recording that is available to you whenever and wherever you'd like to listen. You can pause, stop, start, fast forward, and rewind. Stream it through Apple Music or any podcast... Read more →

Vote Vote Vote

I carved a new block over the weekend. I’m one of the millions of Americans who voted early. I voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for many reasons, but here are four really important ones: Science is real. Climate change is real. Black Lives Matter. “How a society treats its most vulnerable is always the measure of its humanity.” Pre-existing conditions shouldn’t be a barrier to health insurance. Stand up for what you believe in. Your vote is powerful. It matters. Read more →

The First Thirty Days of Motherhood

Just before the baby was born, I was hired by The Washington Post and The Lilly to journal about my first 30 days of motherhood. You can read my raw, real, and absolutely honest account of those first thirty days on the Washington Post's website and in the Lilly newsletter. I think the illustrations they put in the article are weird and don't really match, but perhaps that's the artist in me? Here's a link to the article. I would say, "enjoy," but people have told me they cried while reading it, so instead I'll say, "I hope you take... Read more →

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! (We celebrate both in our household!) We are so delighted by the wonderful gift we received this year: He is a sweet little baby who loves lying on his side, stretching, tilting his head back, and jamming his fingers into his mouth. We can't wait to see more of his personality emerge over the coming year! Hope you are having a happy day! P.S. This month's livestream for members will be on Saturday (December 28) at 2pm EST. If you'd like to join in on the art fun (and meet the baby), you can join... Read more →

Baby is Here!

After 40 hours of labor, our beautiful baby boy came out kicking and screaming. It had been such a long and slow labor that nobody thought the end would be quite so fast. When he started to crown, it was just me, my Mom, Steve, and a nurse in the room. The nurse called for back up and told me to stop pushing. But I couldn't stop him from coming. No back up came. She called again. No back up came. She pulled the emergency cord from the wall and the room flooded with people just as his shoulders popped... Read more →

Life/Art Lessons from Moving

You guys, my life is a mess. It's a beautiful, crazy, lucky, insane mess, but it's a mess. I think I underestimated the chaos of moving and overestimated both my ability to do physical labor and my ability to keep up with everything in my business. But, I have learned several good life lessons in the past week (which also apply to art making) and I thought I'd pass them on: Just make a choice. At first, I was paralyzed by all the boxes and the new choices that had to be made. Where should this go? Will I regret... Read more →

My Experience as an Exhibition Juror

A few months ago I was asked to be the exhibition juror for the members exhibit at the Mosesian Arts Center. It's a non-juried show. All members are invited to submit up to 3 pieces of work for the show. From the submissions, I was to choose 1 Best in Show Winner and 3 Honorable Mentions. Once the show was hung, I was invited to come by the Mosesian Arts Center and see the work. I was determined to have a system for making my choices. Before I walked in, I made a list of criteria for myself. Work under... Read more →

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day! I'm spending the day at the beach with my family. (This is a spread in my Gelli Journal.) Hope you're finding a way to enjoy your Fourth! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Big News

I have to confess to having a pretty rough last few months. I've been sick and exhausted and stressed and dealing with a lot of body image stuff. But it has all been for a good cause, so I can't be that upset about it. After all, I've been growing a human being -- which is a totally amazing thing. Baby Boy is due in November and I'm pretty sure that my life will never be the same again. Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! "Play keeps us vital and alive. It gives us an enthusiasm for life that is irreplaceable. Without it, life just doesn't taste good." -- Lucia Capacchione From my family to yours! Read more →