Saturday, November 13, 2010

Making My Way Back

 

You may have noticed my absence from the online world these past few months.  I’ve been dealing with a lot of stuff, much of it I am legally prohibited from talking about right now. 

 

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It seems that in this highly competitive world  once you have earned some measure of success others may want what they perceive to be their portion of it.  Over the last few months I’ve gotten a look into the not so pretty side of corporate litigation.  The realization of what can happen to you in this world almost made me hang up my colored pencils and call it a day but my husband told me to not let what I am going through kill my creative spirit and I am taking his good advice to heart. 

 

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It will be many hard months of work and waiting ahead for what I am going through but I am in a better place now to deal with it now.   In the meantime I am back and I will be forging ahead doing what I love – writing and illustrating my books that hopefully will help those in my industry do their jobs a little easier. I never got into writing to create some kind of empire or make a ton of money.  Publishing; unless you are a celebrity or fiction guru, is certainly not a money maker.  My goal was and still is to create a comprehensive set of reference books for the trade that will stand the test of time and provide a go to source for design inspiration.  A staggering amount of work goes into creating my books and every drawing is a labor of love for me.  I do this work out of a passion for design and my desire to share this passion with others like myself. 

 

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To those of you who have known about my situation and have supported me and given me such great and reassuring advice I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I’m sure I will need more of that before this is over.  For now I am hard at work on my next two books.  The Design Directory of Soft Furnishings Volumes I & II.  I’ve been drawing slipcovers for a few months now and loving it.  They are still in the black and white stage but soon they will get a pretty new coat of color. 

I am going to try to get back into blogging regularly now.  For some reason I was afraid to blog for awhile.  I guess I really was in shock and didn’t know what to say.  I was afraid of saying anything that could inflame my already tenuous situation and I was also spending 24 hour days researching my case.  I have missed my blogging friends so much and the great interaction that we have and I hope that I haven’t let it go too long so that no one will read me anymore.

 

I hope we can reconnect and I’m looking forward to getting back into the blogging swing.

 

XOXO  Jackie

25 comments:

Squeak said...

Oh my God, you poor thing! As someone who has been involved in litigation twice, my heart goes out to you. Try not to let them get you down ... and keep creating those beautiful drawings!

Marie~Window Designs Etc. said...

Wonderful to see your post. You have been missed!
I love the little tease of the chair and bench sketches.
You are awesomely talented and have such a giving spirit to share with this industry.
Wishing you strength, perseverance and peace.
Hugs,
Marie

vicki archer said...

Welcome back Jackie...I am glad you are. I understand exactly what you are talking about when it comes to books and publishing....it is completely all about the love we have of a subject ....xv

Sara Palacios said...

I do not know your situation, but by reading this post, I can only tell you the following. You have a tool that no one can take away from you, your creativity. If someone is taking advantage of that, turn the corner and re-invent the idea. That is the beauty of been a creative person, we can create any reality that we want.
Good to hear that you are back.

kayellen said...

You are so talented Jackie~~~you have my full support!!
So sorry it has been a stressful situation~~~ not fun:/

We have all missed you too!!!

Hugs to you and welcome back!!

xo
Kay Ellen

Deb said...

Oh Jackie, I have no idea what you've been through, but I will send you good thoughts! You HAVE been missed! Stay strong. xo

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear that your creativity has been challenged. I hope you know you have a lot of friends awaiting your return to blogging. As a designer who can also put needle to thread, you inspire us sewists by feeding our need for new and exciting ways to look at fabric from a realistic perspective.

Now get those pencils sharpened and work your magic on those black and whites! We need those new books!

Best,
Ellen

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I'm so sorry Jackie - I had no idea. I was thinking about you the other day since I was talking to my mom about some fabric selections for her shop. I'm currently dreaming of using one of your patterns for bedroom window treatments...

Hope your legal issues are ironed out as quickly as possible!

Karena said...

Oh Jackie I have missed you and your illustrations, writing. I truly thought you were traveling the world!

Come and enter my giveaway from Empress of the Eye!I think yoou will love the interview!

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Rebecca Grace said...

Missed you -- hope the ugly stuff is behind you and wishing you sunny skies and happy slipcovers from here on out.

Leigh Chandler said...

None of the madness has tainted your creative mind, hand and spirit! Love the new drawings and know you will come through this episode with flying colors! You are too talented and giving to stay down for long - glad to see you back at work.
XXOO

NR Designs said...

It's good to have you back, Jackie. And, I'm so glad to hear that you haven't given up -- don't ever let anybody take away your creative spirit. You've done so much to inspire people -- keep up the good work!

Kathryn Dillon said...

Oh Jackie, I am so sorry to hear of your troubles! I really thought you were taking a much needed break to re-fresh and re-create. I can only begin to imagine the challenge of your situation. It's great you have a husband,family and friends to encourage you to continue to do the things you are so good at. We all appreciate your generous talents and passion for sharing them with others. Kathryn

Wanda S. Horton - Interior Designer said...

We're so happy to have you back. While I don't know what facilitated your challenges, I know we would be missing your rare talents and it's so good you have a loving husband to support you through this journey. My Dad always says, "The cream rises to the top". I know that to be true about you. Hugs! Wanda

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

Whatever it was was apparently painful but glad to see you took good advice from that husband of yours and persevered. We need talented people like you in this industry. Looking forward to future blog posts.

La Petite Gallery said...

Hooray!
your back. Wishing you and family a beautiful and Happy Thanksgiving.

yvonne

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Welcome back Jackie. I can't begin to understand what you are going through only know that it's great to have you back blogging. I hope you find comfort from the blogging community from whom you have our undying support. Your drawings are so charming; it must feel good to get back to what you love?! Continue surrounding yourself in strength and support.

All my best to you for a meaningful Thanksgiving,
Deb

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Hi Jackie!
Looksgreat so far!!!!!!!Keep plugging there!!!!!! I have been doing some slips with pocket in the back.........I'll shoot you a pic if you want.... Maryanne xo

Amy Chalmers said...

I am a new follower and have waited for your posts and am glad to see you are back. I make window treatments and your book was the first book I ever bought about 20 years ago! You are very talented and I for one have benefited from your talents. So thanks!

La Petite Gallery said...

Dear Jacki, hope you had a great Thanksgiving, now get ready to do Christmas. Very clever cut outs..

yvonne

Kathy Lewis said...

I like your illustrations in their black and white form. The simplicity of the line drawings makes each design clear and easy to see. It also helps to envision these designs in different colors and fabrics when the color has not been preselected. Good job, thank you for working so hard.
Kathy

Jo at Style Key Westwe said...

I had no idea,Jackie, that you were going through these difficulties. I send you all good energy to cope with your situation. Just keep on with your beautiful designs and all that magical color will surround you with a shield that no unpleasantness can penetrate.

much love for the holidays.

Jo

Alyssa said...

Good luck! I am glad you decided to continue I cant wait for your book!

Anonymous said...

You are a talented person! you have that gift that others would die for!!! keep it up!!!

Gail Thomas said...

My name is Gail Thomas. I met you at the Windows to Success event this past October. I found you so incredibly humble for someone so incredibly accomplished. I am so sorry to hear about this unpleasant experience, but keep the faith as your talent is endless and not even the best litigator and keep you down.