Whew! 2025 was a busy year. I retired from teaching at the end of May. I miss my students & coworkers (Shoutout DIS)! I had to pack up my little apartment and move out by June 1, 2025. Props to the hubster who worked tirelessly to transport all the belongings I’d accumulated in 10 years of teaching. He was in beast-mode!
Still, I am LOVING the retired life up here on the mountain in Mule Creek! My studio is much fuller now than before, but it’s my happy place.
Pretty much immediately, we realized that my off grid solar system was WAY underpowered. So we upgraded my array and added a new hybrid inverter/charge controller and lithium batteries for a 24V, 3KW system. It wasn’t cheap, but it was necessary. Good thing we’ve got an electrician in the family!
We then upgraded the cabin’s solar as well. I can only take credit for some grunt work and figuring out the solar panel wiring to boost our output power to 120V. Hubster did all the hard stuff. It was needed for sure. Now we have plenty of power for all our needs!
On the artistic side, I had a fun project for promoting our remote community in southwest New Mexico. I created a 3×3 inch magnet (and sticker) for our postmaster’s friend who collects refrigerator magnets. It was a fun little project and was given away to our neighbors, friends and family.
G & I took a fun trip to Pagosa Springs, CO to ski and enjoy the hot springs. We had so much fun! The skiing was AMAZING. Wolf Creek ski area boasts the MOST snow in Colorado and they definitely did not disappoint. The Club Wyndham resort there is great. It is a timeshare, but look on any booking site and you can get a rental there for a price comparable to local hotels.
I have to say the hot springs in downtown Pagosa Springs are the BEST. Lots of pools at different temperatures. You’re sure to find a place to hang out, destress, and have some great conversations & adult beverages. 🥂 LOVE it 😍
After that we headed for Flagstaff, AZ. We were joined by our Irish friends (hi Doug & Linda!) and our kids. We had the best time.
In Flagstaff we got to see our granddaughter dance in the Nutcracker! Performed at NAU with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, it was a superb performance. We are hoping to make it an annual family Christmas celebration.
I took an online art business class – Leverage Your Art from ‘artrepreneur’ Stacie Bloomfield and I’m currently reading her book The Artist’s Side Hustle. It’s helped me a lot in setting up my own business & using art I already have to create income. Stacie runs the very successful online company Gingiber and is a wonderful teacher.
Finally, I’ve been updating my website, Etsy store, and blog. I’m focused on finding my own signature style & creating new artworks that will fit my aesthetic.
With that in mind, here’s a gallery of some of my favorite new work! I included my vision board – my hopes for 2026. Enjoy!
All artwork copyright Liz Stevens illustration LLC 2026. Please do not steal my work or use without permission.