This December as the winter weather descends, what better way to spend an evening than wrapped up in a blanket and a tale of romance? Elizabeth Ann West is an author and former military spouse who writes charming Jane Austin fan fiction and variations. Elizabeth talks with us about how her work and life as a military child and military spouse helped prepare her for life after Dependent status. She candidly shares how her work gave her a sense of stability, strength, and identity during her recent divorce.

Half of me feels like the time has flown by, but the other half spent a few months of the summer feeling like I was trapped and would never leave here. Fortunately, that fog has lifted quite a bit and I’m just trying to get back into some kind of normal-ish routine.

In this month's Artist Interview, we take a spin in the ballet slippers of dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher Kathryn Lanier. Kathryn shares her passion for dance,  the role of dance in her world as a military spouse, and the story of one very special Nutcracker Ballet performance that reminds us why this ballet is so cherished.

Leigh Cortez is an art student-turned-artillery-soldier-turned-milspouse-and-tattoo-artist-turned-MFA-student-turned-artist. Her bold and compelling work is layered with autobiographical meaning. With her paintings, Leigh invites a dialogue both within the military community and with "outsiders" exploring modern military life, tradition, trauma, unpredictability, and belonging. Leigh's thoughtful descriptions of her work and process, as well as her candid story about the path she has taken, reveal her self-possessed, passionate, and deliberate character.

I continue to paint every day and constantly stretch the boundaries of my abilities. I belong to a group of four mentor/friends that travel together and show our art at different venues.  We have been to Waterworks Art Museum in Miles City, Montana,  are currently showing at the courthouse Art Museum in Clarksville, Tennessee and are looking forward to a venue in Japan!  Travel is always a plus to getting these shows.

In April, I published my second collection of poetry: Permanent Change of Station (Middle West Press). The poems revolve around the move that brought us from California to North Carolina. My daughter was two, and all of the changes of environment, coupled with all of the changes associated with coming into her toddlerhood, was quite traumatic for her.

The past year since my interview has been full of changes and excitement. We moved to North Carolina and it took me a while to find a studio to begin dancing again. I was fortunate to find the Carolina Performing Arts Studio that just opened near my house. I met the studio owner and ballet teacher, and immediately found my new home there.

This month, MilspoFAN is proud to introduce you to Adelia Wilson. Adelia is a painter and a third-generation Air Force spouse. As Adelia tells her story, I find myself drawn in by her palpable enthusiasm for life. Her dreamy artwork, rooted in her spirituality and a desire to honor the military that she cherishes, is equally compelling. As Adelia says, she has found both an outlet and a calling in her painting. I'm so pleased to share her story with our MilspoFAN community

Over the past year since my last guest blog, I've had so many wonderful things come about. I'm excited to share these as I look back on our military life journey of over twenty-six years. We've been “retired” from the Navy for eleven years now. Our current home we've been in for ten years – the longest we've been anywhere in our entire adult lives. I finally have that picket fence I always wanted...it ends up in so many paintings of mine, a continual theme of home and stability.

My Dear MilspoFANs, It's July and I have the perfect interview for you if you have Summer Fun on the mind (or need a break from PCS season)! This month I'm so pleased to share an interview with Tammy Bruce, a talented painter who is sharing her love of making art with people all over the world. Not only does Tammy teach art during relaxed and inclusive mobile painting parties, her company, Mai Tais and Monet, employs several military spouses.

I’m sitting on my terrace, preparing to attend a fùtbol (of the World Cup type) match between rival attaché groups (Navy/Marine v.s. Army/Airforce). At the game, I will be sitting with Las Mafiosas, a group of women that represent about fifteen different countries.

This month, we have the good fortune to get to know Katelyn Spinosa- Actress, Singer, and Model. Katelyn is a spirited, talented artist whose dedication to her craft is reflected in her success wherever her spouse’s career in the Army takes them. Be sure to take a moment to check out the musical performances linked to in the interview to hear Katelyn’s enchanting voice.

Elizabeth is a joy and an inspiration to hang out with. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor are glowing and infectious. Beyond that, she is a talented multi-media artist and designer (and a kick-ass web developer!). I am so happy to have met and befriended her, and have been looking forward to sharing her interview with the MilspoFAN community.

My dear MilspoFANs, our Artist Interview this month is with Jehanne Dubrow, an award-winning poet, an academic, and a Navy spouse.

I must confess, when I received Jessica’s invitation to write a guest post with an update of what I’ve been up to this year, my first thought was: “Well, crap. How do you stretch abject failure into 500 words? ”How’s my new book coming, you ask? Well…that depends on how you define “book.” If you call a 1/3-filled pink heart-covered notebook scribbled with an outline, scene ideas, random notes and tidbits of research a “book” - then it’s going fantastic!