Big news this week! Here was accepted to the Sanchez Art Center's 2026 Left Coast Annual Juried Exhibition, one of 50 pieces selected by Scott A. Shields, chief curator of the Crocker Art Museum. The show runs April 10 through May 10 in Pacifica, California. Meanwhile, I've been prepping the studio for new work, enjoying fiber time on a girls trip with my bestie, and feeling extra grateful as Bubba continues our kitchen build.

Here was accepted to the Left Coast Annual at Sanchez Art Center, juried by Scott A. Shields, chief curator of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. One of 50 works selected for this annual show. This acceptance feels like validation for all the uncertainty of 2025. The private producing, not knowing exactly where I was going, who would see this collection, running on a mix of passion and steady internal validation. Finally getting traction at the end of 2025, and now 2026 feels powerfully aligned, moving with the clarity and momentum I day dreamed of.

My ideas are rushing in faster than I can tuft them. On top of sketches, I have been playing around with small scale studies. This cutie is for an upcoming piece. Working at this scale lets me test colors, combinations, emotion, relationships, before committing to a large work. These experiments have lit a fire within me, they are essential helping me figure out what happens next.

Dyeing textiles again this week, a rooted consistent ritual that feels steady like the studios heart beat. My 2026 goal of a 100% upcycled piece felt like a massive audatious goal when I set it but week by week I am slowly making steps towards it, loving the process. Preparing materials, mixing colors, submerging fabric, waiting, it’s my favorite.

This week I focused on cleaning my tools and organizing materials as I prepare for new work. A fresh refresh for my space, my tools and my creative spirit. My love for this vintage tufting tool from the 1970s only deepens. Caring for it properly, dusting off the fibers, lubricating the metal, organizing all of my most used supplies, it’s an essential part of honoring the practice.

A close up of a stack of my works. I've been dreaming of a solo exhibition. When I close my eyes and picture a room filled with my works, my heart races, it’s thrilling. deciding what I would include, what to expand on, what to highlight, all of the big and small decisions to create a cohesive body of work. These pieces are starting to talk to each other in ways I only dreamed of.

Our banana rack, stocked with delicious apple bananas. For smoothies, banana bread, popsicles, pure enjoyment. Apple bananas are truly one of a kind. I used to miss them so much when I lived off island. No other banana tastes like them. Pure magic!

Crafts I brought with me on my weekend girls trip with my bestie last weekend. It’s just what I needed. Heart to hearts, fiber arts, delicious foods. One of my all time favorite annual treats. I love her to the moon and beyond!!! I’ll share more on the hat and the embroidered volcano once I finish them.

Before: The kitchen when it was just bones. Looking back at this helps me appreciate how far we've come. Bubba's ability to design, build, and actualize our dreams never ceases to amaze me.

After—Fridge, stove, sink. The kitchen is taking shape. Bubba is so dreamy! Watching him transform raw space into functional beauty reminds me how lucky I am. He’s still building the rest of the cabinetry, after we’ll start tiling the backsplash together, before we frame out the window frame. How luscious is the view?!!??

Hawaiian chili peppers are our new obsession. Sweet Pea and I have been harvesting them, drying them into chili flakes, combining them with oil and aromatics, Bubba's favorite, and leaving them whole to add to soups, stir-fries, anything really. They pack the most delicious light heat!

Bubba’s been gone this week for a work trip, so I'm running on fumes, but celebrating the Sanchez acceptance, and quality girl time, have both kept my spirits up. Im so deeply grateful for this community, your support and the opportunity to show up weekly to share what we’ve been up to.

Love,

Coco