2013 From Here to There

Daily Scrap

Beginnings

From here to there, the quiet in-between

This is the cover of a new journal I'm putting together. It's inspired by Mary Ann Moss's new class; Ticket to Venice which I am thoroughly enjoying. A new year and a new journal to keep track of the moments of my life and my creative journey. Not that I need another journal as I have now have 4 that I am currently working in. Some gals have lots of shoes; I have lots of journals and I LOVE making journals so when the mood to make another journal strikes I go with it. Of course when I continue to take Mary Ann's classes it's impossible not to be inspired to make another journal. I don't always title my journals but when I unearthed this much beloved image from a catalog, the text just sort of fell gracefully to the cover and I knew it was perfect and felt right. I love when that happens. 

I believe this thought stemmed from the idea of the slow and ambling travel that Mary Ann follows through her trips around the world; an easy pace, eclectic and often stumbled upon destinations. I thought, why not bring that to my life this year whether or not I can go very far. I like slow travel and I often feel life moves along much too fast for the most part. I like moving slow and savoring the moments, some moments you only are given once and if one hurries too much those moments might be missed. I want to savor the 'quiet' in-between. I don't want to hurry past something that just might hold a special gift for me to find, discover, explore.

I've chosen my word for 2013.

Kindred

similar to somebody or something: 

close to somebody or something else 

because of similar qualities or interests

an affinity with somebody or something

Late this past year I found myself feeling very connected to my need to be creative more so than I ever have previously.  I am most at peace and and most centered when I am following my creative desires. I will be 54 next Monday and feel very comfortable being where I am. Sure they are lots of things I wish I could change, things I would love to do but if I can't or never fulfill those parts of my life I can still feel good about where I am right now. That feels good. I've also pursued and continue to grow through on-line classes and among other 'kindred' folks in my on-line neighborhood. I've made so many new friends this past year that I want to bring them all into this new year. The support of that community and the one here, through my blog has been so sweet and inspiring; that is worth keeping and tending to. 

I'm also doing something new this year. 

I've chosen a symbol for the year.

Kite. 

I like the idea of having a symbol to carry throughout the year and also something I can bring into my artwork during the year that reflects my life. 

A kite can be a simple or very complex structure.

A kite can float slowly on the wind or whip wildly around.

A kite is tethered and grounded by a string, 

or it can soar free.

I like this idea very much and wish to inspire others to do this with me throughout 2013. I'd love to hear from you if this is something you'd like to pursue with me. I'd love to hear what your symbol for 2013 is and what it means to you. Please share if you are so inclined.

Goals for this new year are to continue to grow as an artist. I feel very good about having achieved my art goals for 2012, one of which was to become more comfortable painting faces which I did and continue to do. I rarely can say that at the close of a year but I stuck to it and put that fear behind me. 

Happy New Year everyone. Wishing you all whatever you intend to reach for in 2013.

xxoooxxx