Day 276 - Christmas

I started making Christmas gifts tonight. I hope to make as many as possible for family and friends this holiday season - even a special one for my son. Shhhh.

Day 275 - Adversity

Adversity reaches through the pain to grasp hold of the knowledge of God.

Day 274 - Sick_Again

I am very run down and can't seem to get better from being sick this week. This weekend I hope to get some much needed rest and get completely better. It's lingered too long and makes it difficult to work. I think mental stress has not reacted well with my physical state. Getting up at 2 and 3 in the morning for the past several weeks has not been healthy. Moving forward.

Day 273 - Strength

Watercolor - Finally!
I believe God can use suffering to prepare us for something even more important down the road or perhaps to learn to treat ourselves and others better. With suffering comes growth, humility, patience and strength. There is a purpose to suffering and pain even though we may not know what that is until we get to the other side of it.

I thought a lot about strength today, especially the kind of strength that people develop only through suffering, trials and mistakes. If we can learn from the experience, help others because of it and spread compassion, I think God has worked the suffering out for His good purpose.

Day 272 - Moving_On

Watercolor

What It Means to Move On
from griefshare.com

Moving on does not mean . . .
• you forget the person.
• you never feel the pain of your loss.
• you believe that life is fair.

Moving on does mean . . .
• you experience a lessening of the pain.
• you can treasure your best memories of the person who has died.
• you can realistically accept the different aspects of your loss.
• you can form new relationships, try new things.

Moving on also means . . .
• you grow in grace.
• you accept your loss and forgive others.
• you understand that both joy and loss are a part of life.
• you believe that God is good, even when life isn't.

Day 271 - Blocks

Slow progress
From Cloth, Paper, Scissors Magazine:

14 Days of Art Prompts

1. Be inspired by your breakfast: Use the colors from your cereal box to start your next piece.

2. Use a mirror: Place a mirror on your work surface and make a painting by looking into the mirror.

3. Draw without looking: Draw a still life in a journal with your eyes closed.

4. Make a book: Google book binding and try a new binding technique.

5. Add glitter to something: Try German glitter glass or cut-glass glitter for a vintage look.

6. Create a Packing Tape Transfer: Place a piece of packing tape over a photocopy image and rub off the paper backing with a wet sponge.

7. Use old supplies: Use a supply in your studio that you haven’t used in at least 6 months.

8. Make a stencil: Take a picture of your favorite pet (or person) in profile and make a silhouette stencil.

9. Tear it up: Grab an old book and tear it up. See what you can build/cover/create with the pieces.

10. Fold it up: Try a piece of origami, search online for directions. Try it with vintage sheet music or even fabric paper.

11. Go opposite: Use the colors on the opposite side of the color wheel from your go-to palette.

12. Work big: Grab a piece of paper at least twice as big as you usually work on, and stretch yourself.

13. Work small: Sharpen your pencils, and grab your .005 Pigma® Micron pens and magnifying glass, and work small.

14. Carve it out: Take a moment to make your own artist stamp by carving an eraser with a craft knife.

Day 270 - Brain

Creative activities do so much for the mind and soul. They can develop confidence and discipline, help mental focus, increase problem-solving skills and calm anxiety. Basically, they help us stay young. Activities that enable us to use our hands engage mental activity. Gardening, cooking, painting, drawing, playing piano and creative decorating can enhance clarity and foster the learning part of brain function. Art related projects can help to express troubled feelings and difficult insights. Trauma, transition, and recovery all can be aided through art related activities as well as other creative endeavors. When feelings seem overwhelming, reach for a brush or a spade. Miracles may happen.

Day 269 - Passion

I read tonight that living your passion will allow you to effect positive change in the world.

I believe living your passion is about filling your life with energy and enthusiasm as you go through your day. Creativity in art, teaching and design fulfills that passion for me. I see my sister's passion in her landscape design projects (both personal and professional), my niece's home environment and her ability as a mother, and my other nieces' (there are so many talented ones) who are amazing artists and human beings. My nephews are photographers, entrepreneurs, fathers, nurses, doctors and designers. My brothers are theologians, all-around creative geniuses and doctors. My in-laws (wives and husbands) are incredible supportive spouses and role models. I have cousins who explode with creativity as artists and teachers. My closest friends are gifted in everything they touch.

I would say I am surrounded by people with strong passions who make a difference in my life and the lives of others.

Day 268 - News

I heard good news tonight regarding important people in my life. My day was complete.

Day 267 - Completed

I was able to complete several projects today, get things organized for the week ahead and actually watch two DVDs - Contact and Ironman. Two very different but very good movies. Contact was amazing. I love Jodi Foster's line..."We are not alone". I remember my mom reading books about the universe. She told me once that she would have liked to have traveled in space. I'll bet not everyone in my family knows that about her. She was really something - strong woman of faith in God, but open to many possibilities. I miss her.

Day 266 - Overindulge

Great post from Cheryl Richardson today:

She commented on how we might overindulge in activities that can prevent us from experiencing life to the fullest. They are not negative activities to begin with, but can become roadblocks. The last three hit home with me.

Here is her list:

Drinking caffeine
Drinking alcohol
Checking or sending emails
Talking on the phone
Texting
Engaging with others on social media sites
Watching TV
Chronically complaining about what isn't working
Fueling drama
Rushing from one task/activity to another
Getting "caught up"
Taking care of the needs of others

Day 265 - 100

None of the works below are completed yet.




One hundred days until I complete my 365 days of art. I already can't believe how much I've learned about painting, drawing, deadlines, myself, my work and friends. My family and God I already know and trust. Everything else has changed since starting this blog. I am also reconnecting with other important people in my life. More to come.

Day 264 - Yeats

The intellect of man is forced to choose
Perfection of the life, or of the work,
And if it take the second must refuse
A heavenly mansion! Raging in the dark

William Butler Yeats

Day 263 - Missing

It is almost four years since my husband passed away. I can't believe how much I miss him today...

Artwork to follow

Day 262 - Closing

I am closing in on 265 days - just 100 days away from my goal. It's strange to be so close and to have done so much work. The pleasure is in the work. I asked my dad once what activity gave him the greatest happiness. One simple word...work. I will never forget that moment Dad. I love you for it.

Day 261 - Friday

I love Fridays because I can get my professional work done. I paint, design, prep for classes and just breath. Tomorrow I will spin and play the piano as well. Fridays are good.

Day 260 - Draw

I completed 4 drawings today and will paint on each one tomorrow. I need the stress relief of painting after a difficult week. They will all be awesome : )

Day 259 - Done

Drawing for Watercolor
I had a number of deadlines this week and saw them all through to completion. As for today, I am done.

Day 258 - Creative

Watercolor
I learned a few drawing tips for creativity the other day:

1. Get a design reference.
2. Make digital observations
3. Create a sketch from the observations.
4. Just capture the essence of the reference.
5. Try something that makes you not create perfect art!

Day 257 - Secret

We all have our public life, our private life and our secret life. That is the one that defines you. Dexter

Day 256 - Before

Our hope lies before us and not behind us.

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off" (Proverbs 23:18).

Day 255 - Must

Photoshop enhanced watercolor

I talked with a friend today who lost her sister to cancer this past week. It brought in a rush of images and feelings and I realized I must complete my book on grieving. After this week's heavy workload, I will address it. The need is there and I have the personal story to share.

Day 254 - Past

Watercolor
from griefshare.com

It would be dangerous to drive down the street if your attention were focused solely on the rearview mirror, looking at what is behind. Grief tends to make you look to the past, to what you lost. The pain of that loss, it's true, will be with you forever, but to move on, you must focus on the future as well as on the past.

You can either stay in that grief, or you can move on. You always have that, and you can't expect that one day you won't ever feel sorry that you lost a loved one. That will always be part of you.

Use your past to build on your future.

Lord God, You are my hope. I do not want to forget the past, but I cannot live there either. Amen.

Day 253 - Finances

Watercolor
This is always a tricky subject to tackle. I have been paying careful attention to how I spend and how I invest. I recently read this is the key to creating and keeping wealth.

I am not a huge money person, but need to consider retirement and taking care of myself so it has been a priority of mine to learn to develop good money habits. I am always trying to live within my means (tough on a limited budget), but I am learning to respect my money and use it wisely. The article went on to say not to beat yourself up over past financial errors, but to focus attention on new behaviors that teach us how to handle money and trust for the future.

Good advice!

Artwork to follow.

Day 252 - Longer

Still not done.
I have very little time to paint now so projects are taking longer. I am still working each day, but progress is slow. At least I am pleased with the work.

Day 251 - Teacher

"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. It might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit."

John Steinbeck
1902-1968, Writer and Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

Thanks Cathlyn!

Day 250 - Resume

From griefshare.com


When a loved one dies, the week of the funeral is usually very busy. It is filled with details and obligations and visits from friends. But in the weeks and months that follow, if you are honest, you may be surprised to see those around you resuming their normal, everyday lives. You may feel, "How could they?"

Yet you know this is natural. Life does go on, but you may wonder how you will ever be part of that life again. You cannot merely "turn off" your grief; you will carry a part of that grief with you always. But as you walk through your grief journey, you must take conscious steps forward each day.

I have chosen to resume my life.

Day 249 - Labor

Watercolor
I still worked on labor day (a little), rode my bike 20 miles and painted. A good day of active rest.

Day 248 - Enough

Photoshop
From griefshare.com

A person in the grieving process should never be rushed by others. You need to fully process your feelings and emotions, and you should not feel guilty about taking the time to do so. In order to proceed with healing though, there will come a time when you have to say, "Enough. It is time to move on."

The article goes on to say that we will resist moving forward because the majority of the time, we will seek the path of least resistance. Sometimes, it feels easier to give in to self-pity or other negative emotions than to get involved in activities where you have to deal with other people.

When the time is right, saying enough is enough will be a step in moving forward.

Day 247 - Complete

Watercolor
I worked hard to complete this painting today even after a 4 mile walk, making a great homemade breakfast and working (even on a Saturday). I'm happy with the result.

Day 246 - Slow

I have no idea why this painting is taking so much time (turning out great in spite of my poor camera phone pix). I seem to be laboring over it and fussing too much. Mirroring the tremendous amount of work on my plate at the moment perhaps?

Day 245 - Forward

Being able to move forward in any area of your life is a choice - even not moving forward is still a choice. It can be hard to make any kind of decision, but taking a breath, clearly thinking things through (my Dad's famous words, TTT), choosing a clear cut avenue and taking one step regardless of any internal emotions is progress.

Ways to move forward include serving others in the community, expressing emotions to a trusted person, or beginning a new sport, hobby, or activity. Trying to control life is never an option. Working with life always is.

Day 244 - Almost

I am almost caught up with my blog. Today was very long. 10 hours of computer work but I got to paint for 2. I hope to keep this up. At least labor day weekend is coming where I can labor over my paintings!

Day 243 - Begin

Watercolor of lily pads
Tomorrow begins the new semester. It will be interesting to see how the fall unfolds.

Day 242 - Renaissance

Watercolor


I am continually undergoing a creative renaissance. I read an article recently on inegrating the three steps of creativity - inspiration, action, and analysis — into daily life and then applying the principles to the passion that is within. Passion is doing what you love. Finding what that passion is all about is done by studying and practicing what drives you. The author, John Dillon says that when you "integrate creativity into your life and apply yourself to your passion, you will accomplish great things and create a successful and happy life".

I love it.

Day 241 - Revisit

Photoshop

Since no one liked my "abstract" digital painting of myself last go round I revisited it with another version in which I digitally crosshatched my image.

Day 240 - Time

Although there are many positive changes in my life at the present, this is a tough time of year for me because in October it will be 4 years since my husband died. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed at all. It is a time for reflection...as always.

Day 239 - Positive

I was reading Cheryl Richardson's newsletter and she was talking about positive changes in life. This blog has served to make an incredible number of positive changes for me. I've not only painted, drawn or digitally created something almost every day for the past 239 days but have begun playing the piano again, gone through my house and begun the official renovation, redecorating, and renewal, worked on several children's books and web sites, gone to interesting places, read a number of new books, tried different workouts and took a good look at what I want to do and where I want to go in life.

Here are her questions:

1. What positive changes have you made in your life?

2. How have you stayed motivated to make these changes?

3. How has your physical, emotional, or spiritual well-being been strengthened or improved?

4. What qualities of character have been further developed? Are you more courageous, patient, or light-hearted, for example?

5. What challenges have you faced or what obstacles have you overcome?

6. What hard decisions did you make that dramatically improved the quality of your life?

7. How have you been a better partner, spouse, friend, or co-worker?