Foto woven print. 4x6 matte, hand woven. Images of a church in the main city of San Jose & a flower during a 7mi hike, both in beautiful Costa Rica. I took the fotos in 2012 during a student volunteer trip, and created the foto weave in 2020. I spent hours focusing on healing myself by perfecting my craft instead of using alcohol as a crutch like I had in the past.

@erose.photos

Foto woven print. 4x6 matte, hand woven. Images of a 14 foot cliff jump at a swimming hole & blue truck on the side of the road, both taken in beautiful Costa Rica. I took the fotos during a student volunteer trip in 2012 and created the foto weave in 2020. I spent hours focusing on healing myself by perfecting my craft instead of using alcohol as a crutch like I had in the past.

@erose.photos

This is a collage (newspapers, magazine, music books) of two koi fish in a yin and yang position. It was made during Dry January - where I found I have had extra time and energy to be creative!

During the first Covid-19 lockdown our tattoo shop decided to draw the alphabet. This was to let our customers we were still doing our part in the local art community. I believe this was for “S” skull. We are located in Topeka Kansas. Fine Line Tattoo and Body Piercing

"Crocheting helps me maintain my sobriety."

I live in Northern Minnesota, and I earned some Grant money through my county to buy yarn so that i could crochet winter gear for the homeless in the area. I plan on making hats, mittens, scarves, washcloths, and possibly even a blanket. I hope to have all the pieces done by Summer so that they can be distributed in this upcoming Autumn.

I created this piece to celebrate the completion of my first 10-week EMDR therapy cycle. It represents the vastness within us that we can access when we go inward & heal. Acrylic & pastel on canvas.

I painted this from a photo I took standing outside a yakitori joint in Kyoto, Japan while I was waiting for my husband to finish his final course of a giant, deep fried garlic bulb (yes, bulb) in the busy, little restaurant. We had reached 11 months sober during this trip around Japan. As I stood there with a belly full of skewers I basked in the glow of the orange lanterns and looked forward to an early night after a day of vigorous sightseeing and to waking up hangover free and ready to do it all again the next day. 10" x 10" oil on canvas.

With this painting of Bryce Canyon I wanted to play around with a looser style. Keeping a vivid contrast between the sky and the hoodoos was also my aim. I painted this from a photo I took during horseback riding tour on a trip I took there a few years ago. 10" x 10" oil on canvas.

I always knew, deep down, that I was done, but I couldn't say it out loud or allow myself to believe it. I counted to stay accountable and to set goals. I could feel the 100 days milestone coming up and it felt different, more essential. Reaching 100 days of sobriety was the turning point of true change for me, I knew I was in, all in, and life would never be the same again. (Alcohol-free since August 2018)

@lovelightandglitter

Good Times Clay Co @goodtimesclayco was launched by Sarah Patnaude (Sober Date: 4/22/2019) in the fall of 2020. She always had a creative side with an entrepreneurial spirit, but struggled to find that "one thing" that she was truly passionate about. When she started playing around with polymer clay in the summer during quarantine, she became hooked. After sharing her creations on Instagram and getting positive feedback from friends who wanted to buy them, Sarah decided to go all in and launch a small business. Her favorite thing about polymer clay is experimenting with new colors and shapes, and seeing other people, especially in the sober community, rock her earrings!

Outside of GTCC, Sarah works a full-time corporate job, has a husband and a 3 year old son, and is an avid runner. She is one of three co-founders for New Fashioned Sobriety @newfashionedsobriety, an alcohol-free community for womxn seeking connection, friendship and support outside of traditional recovery programs. The group hosts free virtual meetups on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for sober + sober-curious folks. They also launched Zero Proof Run Club, a sober running community for womxn, which you can join on Strava, a free fitness app.

Midnight Forest Black Bread in its ready to bake stage.

Final stage of Midnight Forest Black Bread with homemade gravlax, and homemade ricotta cheese. Dressed with a fresh dill and garlic oil.

This piece is about being committed to being sober and any other aspect of my life that requires discipline and perseverance. It is a reminder to myself to be objective with my emotions, and move on from them in a way that is positive and healthy. Feelings are valid, but don't get consumed by them.

Acrylic on Bristol smooth paper.

19" by 24"

Most of my paintings since becoming sober have been about balance and setting guidelines. So in my work I give myself parameters to follow. The same that I now do in my sober life. This is a good example of that balance. I told myself to focus on reds and maintain only two focal points, the red flower and the black waterfall going in the opposite direction. No more blacking out for me, it's all about the flowers.

Acrylic on Bristol smooth paper.

19" by 24"

This is what a Saturday hangover free breakfast looks like these days. When I was drinking like a maniac, this kind of thoughtful activity in the kitchen would not occur. I am so thankful for my sobriety of almost two years. Everyday is a gift.

All of these digital art pieces were created under the project "doodle of the day"- a 30 day project I started during my time doing "Dry January" (dry forever for me now). These started as doodles I made during my classes- turned into digital art. Most of these are quotes I hear during class, or quote submissions from classmates.

This piece celebrates my 5 year sober anniversary. I started drinking because I was really shy and awkward in social situations and by putting on a liquor jacket I was able to transform into someone else. However, I am a black out drinker, and I got myself into scary situations. Being sober has taught me that I'm worthy of other's company by just being me. It is really that simple. I have found so much freedom in not following along with the pack, with honoring my needs, and focusing on myself. Mixed media on map.

I took this photo of my cousin. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to being a kid again, before college, before drinking, before assault. That inner child is still here, and we are healing together. Regrets will always be present. It's about moving forward with them.

This photo represents all the support I have had along the way on my sobriety journey. It wasn't easy at first and I received a lot of push back from my folks. But I wouldn't be here today, 5 years sober without encouraging friends, and eventually family. There is strength in community, and when you find one that helps you soar, you can truly fly.