I've got 2011 in mind

I don't know what it is about the number eleven but I have quite an affinity for that number...maybe that is why I feel that 2011 will be a banner year for me and for The Indy Playground :)

I've been experimenting and here is something I have been working on...it's four panels and supposed to read 2011 when put together.

See my work in progress:

I've added more details to it since the photos were taken but will post again when they're finished.

See you soon! Gotta check on my sugar cookies. The smell is calling to me. Yum! Yum!

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On Trying to be Myself

I was supposed to post this the day I left for my climb last January 14 but was unable to because my internet connection was really acting up. It is now nine days post-climb and a whole chasm has opened up and closed, wrong has been set to right and so I was wondering if I should even post this. But since this is about being myself I thought I'd like to remember this day and how it felt....

Here is what I wrote:

I opened my email today and was instantly struck by the title of Chris Guillebeau's (of The Art of Non-Conformity) blog post title "How to be Yourself".  I'm subscribed to receive his blog posts but don't get to read them all the time due to so many other things I need to do, so I leave it in my inbox to back track when I have time.  Today, the title jumped out at me and the article struck a chord because I had just had some words with my partner about my trip this weekend to climb Mt. Pulag (2nd Highest Mountain peak in the Philippines).  He is pretty miffed (and that's a kinder word) by my decision to go on that climb, which has been planned out almost a year in advance (I missed last year's reunion climb due to a running injury).  He says I'm no spring chicken anymore (again, those are kinder words) and I must be crazy to go up on this climb - it's not like before that I could go hike/climb wherever I pleased.  He worries about my ankle (which I broke about 7 years ago and which flared up last year when I started running), given, yes I appreciate the concern.

But I really don't like being told I cannot do anything in such a way that makes be feel like an imbecile.  If I believed everyone that told me I could not do it then I'd probably be so full of regret and never live my life the way I want to.  Here's the thing, he likes to run, eat, drink and watch TV.  I never complain.  I like to do my art/craft, do outdoor stuff, read (I can live without a TV but not without books and my computer :)  So my point is, what I like to do is equated to what he likes to do - I leave him be to do the stuff he likes (which is every week) and when I want to do something I like, uhm, climbing a mountain once a year, I expect full support, KWIM?  And he asks me, what do I get from going on that climb? What do I get???? Uhm, how about I'm just finally being myself.  That is who I am.  That is the kind of girl I am.  I love the outdoors, I love adventure, I'm kinda weird, and yes quirky, and I finally want to live a life where I can have the best of both worlds...be me and yet still love someone who is totally not me.  Is that too bad to ask for?

Chris says "Since trying to be anyone other than yourself is usually ineffective, why not begin by deciding to do only what is true to your own inner compass? If you did it for just one day, what would that day look like?"

This is what one of those days would look like... Indy the outdoorsy person is back, at least for the next 3 days before I wear my other hats again of mom, artist, entrepreneur, bookworm..

And Chris again goes on to say "Being yourself is risky. Something could go wrong, and then whose fault would it be? (This is another reason why it can be easier to let other people make your decisions—then you can blame them when it doesn’t work out.)

But in the long-run, you know you’re capable of being a good self. You know you’re capable of taking the risk. Even if some people don’t understand, you can find a way to pursue the life and work you’ve always wanted." 

 Life is short.  Seize the day!

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!! May all your dreams come true this year!

2011 comes to me with so much hope for the future.  I am excited...no ecstatic, to start the new year with all my goals mapped out and to watch them come to fruition.  2011 is my year!! I lay claim to it.

2010 ushered in the birth of my creative business.  It was a time I said, yes, I am ready to make this my life, I am ready to take that leap, I am ready to fly! The latter part of 2010 was really busy and I am thankful for all the blessings that came my way and continue to come my way as I greet the new year.

I'd like to honor 2010 with a photo collage of the year that was in Indy art :) 

I have learned so much the past year as I explored, experimented and dove into actually doing a life long dream of painting onto canvas.  I learned not to be afraid of handling water color, drawing faces...of actually drawing again!  I learned to stop comparing my work to that of others.  I learned not to be afraid of making mistakes.  I know my art is still evolving and I still have to learn how to do other things, use other materials, learn techniques....

All in God's good time. 

I want to thank especially the people who were instrumental in my phenomenal growth as an artist...

My family and loved ones, you were my backbone - your incessant belief in me and unending support has enabled me to sprout my wings - you all know how much I love you.

My beloved friends, old and new - your constant encouragement, sound advice and help have helped push me from just wishing I could do this to really doing it - thank you, you are God-sent.

My online friends, soul sistahs, buddies, co-flying artists, followers, readers - you are all sources of endless, endless inspiration to me. I would not have the courage to be here without you.  Thank you for being there, leaving comments, telling your stories, sharing your art, sharing your heart. 

My most valued clients - thank you for believing in my art, loving what I do, trusting that you will love what I create and continuously coming back for more.  Thank you for keeping my dream a reality.  I truly am blessed.

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