A Transformational Year

A Transformational Year

I had been creating work out of my home studio for past 10 years, discovering my path and learning who I was as and artist, with many opportunities and success, while Ben was also discovering the creative spirit within him as well. I have been friends with Ben since 2016, and over the years I witnessed his evolution and growth as a person, and creative. Throughout that time I had been showing my work at fine art festivals around the state by myself, building my art collectors and community while also showing through multiple galleries. He was making his wire wrap necklaces, got into fabrication and engraving while creating custom pieces, and shared his work with people at music festivals, as he refined his craft and vision. Throughout our entire lives, we were on similar paths, and both had a history of music and vocal performance. As adults, we both were on similar spiritual and creative paths and our lives intertwined throughout it. As a past relationship that was not life-bringing for me ended in 2021 the clarity and space for my and Ben's relationship to blossom came into fruition.

This time last year, I was dealing with chronic paint in my hands and arms that lasted for over a year, after being caught up in the relationship that was not meant for me and caused me to store a lot of negative emotions, that needed to be released. I am so thankful to now be free from the pain, and emotionally well. That winter I continued to seek rest, and spiritual healing throughout the winter shedding the old, to make way for new life, and dived into the creation of my work producing some of my strongest paintings, finding deep revelations within life, and reconnecting with my childhood spirit. My river painting, Water of Life, was one of these masterpieces.  I learned to take things at a slower pace and simplify. I used to be very independent and did everything on my own, but was finding how to ask for help and not put too much pressure on myself. The supportive relationship with Ben, transformed the way I was able to go about things in many ways, stepping from my masculine energy, more into the feminine.  At this time I also took a step back from social media to be more present and give space to my soul. This was a very transformational time for both of us, shedding the old, and stepping into the new.

In the spring, on Easter, Ben and I were engaged in the healing Andes Mountains in Ecuador. It was a rebirth for me, spiritually and emotionally.( I often listen to sacred songs from South America while painting) I felt a new life starting, as Randi Ford came to an end, and Randi RipleyFord came into being. After our engagement, everything fell into place, and we found a new home up north, about a mile away from an old barn my dad is giving new life to, by creating a gallery space for us to show work by appointments, a living space for them, and a woodshop. I grew up in a barn house that my dad renovated, so there are connections there.
 

Since we moved and sold my Grand Rapids home, we've been working tirelessly to transform our Swiss chalet, removing hidden mold, laying floors, painting, and building our studios, while also helping my father transform the barn. With Ben's experience working for his dad in the past doing construction, and my experience working on home construction projects, we were able to work together to take care of things. We transformed the basement space into my studio, while Ben built a room for his studio in the garage. Luckily with all this hard work, we were still able to have outdoor adventures, kayaking, biking, and hiking at our new home.
 

At the end of the year, we connected with the local community at two art events, that went very well. Afterwards, we kept catching sicknesses, and spent a lot of time on the couch sleeping, as we put together the finishing touches to get ready for the new year. We surely did need rest before the start of 2024, so we were thankful for that. We are glad to have overcome challenges to make us stronger and build our new life together. The area we are in, our living space and studios reflect our spirits, and we feel at home. I grew up in a small farm town in the woods, as well as in a barn house my dad renovated, and so this all feels like home to me in ways the city of Grand Rapids never did.

Now that we are settled, we are excited about the opportunity to create work that inspires and brings beauty to others' lives in 2024, channeling the peace, nature and spirit we are in tune with here. I am so happy to be able to go down the road and find inspiration to paint, and to be able to easily access Lake Michigan to create stunning sunset paintings for you, and excited to see how living here will affect my work.