We arrived back in Taos, and our beloved studio, just last week. You should have seen us trying to steer the Uhaul trailer in and out of the snow (and ice) packed driveway. But we managed, without having to phone AAA (which cannot be said for the long trip from Atlanta to Taos when our gas gauge quit working and we ran out of gas. Oi!)

Then it's boxes and bubble wrap and the undoing of all we'd done to get here. 

But in between all the chaos of resettling, we're spending time at the studio table, collaging, drawing, arting.

I give you "Love Is", our newest piece. This is our first creation since arriving home, because in all the turmoil of the past three months, it is Love that has seen us through, steering us safely back home.

The Winter issue of DIGITAL STUDIO will soon be leaving the stands. Replaced by the spring edition (which, I am happy to report, we're in as well!)

But this feature on Duirwaigh Studios has lots of bells and whistles, including several full-page prints. Buy, kiss, and fondle yours before they're gone!

While some of you are aware that we've been in Georgia since mid-December, addressing a Series of Colossal Blessings disguised as Series of Unfortunate Events, what many of you don't know is that we spent the fall creating new art.

Typically July - November is the busiest time of year for us, as most of our publishing partners are asking for art they can launch the following year. This year was no different, except that when Thanksgiving finally rolled around, instead of resting after the race, I got the flu, traveled to Europe unexpectedly, then wound up spending two months away from my beloved home and studio in Taos, buried in despair-repairs.

And it occurred to me, just a few days ago, that one of our newest art pieces --one of those pretty, poetic paintings we made last fall --could be my best friend (and teacher) right about now, if only I would listen.

So I'm gong to share it with you.

Mired in details? Overwhelmed with underwhelment? Wondering where 2010 has gone when you haven't even formulated a plan yet? Distraught because your beautifully-conceived plan has gone haywirishly off-track?

Just remember the cranes. And point your life in the direction of freedom.

When it rains it pours, literally.

It's raning it's pouring the Old Man is Snoring.

Rain rain go away.

I'd been putting this off as long as I could. But since we've returned to Kennesaw, we've had to face some pretty devastating news. Remember the disaster/emergency relief declared for the south last fall? Rains came down and hard, weaving a path of wet destruction for many. Including us. It washed out our roof, our garage, our car, and half the walls in our house.

No problem, I thought. That's why you buy insurance! So for the past few weeks, we've been waiting for the news from the adjuster. And let's just say, our new year didn't start with good news.

We were packing and sorting anyway, for a big move, but now life seems to be shouting GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!

But before we can get out, we're going to have to save our house, our roof, our car. There's no moving away from an animal this wounded. Tens of thousands of dollars in damages and I don't even want to tell you what All-State insurance company is offering. It's embarrassing and I'd rather focus on the positive.

And speaking of positive, we believe firmly that CRISIS is just OPPORTUNITY in disguise. So we'll use this as an opportunity to do something radical. We're going to learn how to ask for, and receive, help. We try to have at least one charity auction per year, and this year, we're the charity. Introducing, THE NOAH's ARK Duirwaigh Relief Fund. You can help any number of ways:

Adopt a new friend on ebay
http://stores.ebay.com/Duirwaigh-Gallery-Art-Collectibles

Donate funds to our relief fund on paypal:
www.paypal.com  - account: mernie@duirwaigh.com

Send us good mojo!

As many of you know, Duirwaigh has been a provider of inspiration for over a decade. We've created inspirational films, music, stories and projects --and labored to keep those musings available for free.

If we've touched you in some way, please consider us a friend in deed, who's now a friend in need. We thank you in advance for any and all kindnesses shown, great and small.

And hey! If you know a roofer, a repairman or a construction crew, send 'em over!

Happy New Year!

And to celebrate, Duirwaigh is moving, which means packing and sorting and SELLING.

You may be scratching your head. "Wait. Didn't they do this already?"

Yes and no. Let me clarify:

May 2008: First moving sale. Nine HUNDRED and eleven auctions on ebay. This was to clear the path in our home and gallery warehouse so we could actually see the floor and begin the real work.

October 2008: Second moving sale. Because once was not enough, and having seen the floor, we yearned to see the walls we hadn't seen since 2001.

Present day: Third and hopefully final moving sale. This should allow us to free up the house in Kennesaw for a new family. Sell it, rent it, no one intends to occupy this address any more. But this is not the end! While we may still have ties to Georgia for some time, our hope is to move all operations to Taos, New Mexico in 2010. (and someday Prague!)

Guess what? This means that for the third time in a year and a half we are up to our armpits in cardboard boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap. Fairies, goblins, dragons, nymphs, mermaids and trolls line up along the walls awaiting the journey to a new home. And this can only mean one thing: Ebay. Well, two things actually. Ebay and Craig's list, but you gotta be a Georgian for the latter.

There are three hundred and forty five items in our ebay store at the time of this writing. Stop by and peruse the aisles. http://stores.ebay.com/Duirwaigh-Gallery-Art-Collectibles

We've got rare and unique items there, as well as artist proofs of many of your favorite prints and cards from Duirwaigh's past. If you're not a member of our mailing list, you may wanna change that now. We've been known to offer our mailing list members extra discounts on ebay items.

If you don't see us again for a few weeks, take heart! We're here, we're just buried in all the goodness. That's me in the corner. I may be losing my religion, but I've found the tape gun and I'm not afraid to use it! 

Duirwaigh is hosting a huge sale on ebay !! Take advantage of our upcoming cross-country move, by bidding on original art, sculptures, illustrations, and collectibles. Many of the items are from our own permanent collection and have never before been on the market.

Also, for you fantasy fans out there: love faeries? myth? magic? Many rare color proofs, giclees, prints and cards from our old website are available on ebay for a limited time. INCLUDING a RARE DEMO of the first-ever Knock at the Door video.

Check out the offerings from:

Brian Froud
Wendy Froud
Kinuko Craft
David Delamare
Charles Vess
Linda Ravenscroft
Amoreno
Ian Daniels
Angel Dominguez
Christophe Vacher
Marc Fishman
Stephanie Roberts
Marc Potts

To view the entire dragon's hoard of goodies, go here.