Temperate Tuesday

Here is part of the listing for 'temperate' in the thesaurus: self-restrained, restrained, moderate, self-controlled, disciplined; abstemious, self-denying, austere, ascetic; teetotal, abstinent.

The meaning I am referring to is "self-controlled, disciplined".

As I find myself looking into the maw of the new year, I find that I am drawn to make some resolutions and being more disciplined is one of mine. I find that I am not structured enough in my day. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a schedule, but I don't want to waste so much time either. Some days I find it is getting dark (granted that is pretty early in the day) and I haven't accomplished much at all.

For example, I intended to do a small watercolor yesterday and I did not. I didn't totally waste the day, but I didn't get to the watercolor. Granted I am not feeling up to par, but I am afraid that is not a really good excuse. I just have a head cold and am a little achy and unsteady. It seems like the unsteady part might actually contribute to a better chance to make a really loose painting (she said with a smile).

I did make a shopping list, clean the refrigerator, go to Meijer and get the groceries, put the groceries away, make pea soup, work a few crossword puzzles, make dinner and do dishes, but that doesn't seem like a great deal to get done in a whole day. Oh, and I sketched a bird.

I have a few things that I would like to accomplish in 2011 and I like making lists, so here goes:

- set aside time for art each day
- participate in the sketchbook challenge
- go to a life drawing session
- learn to do digital art (take the time to really learn Art Rage)

And more in general:

- listen more
- spend more time with family and friends
- get more sleep
- keep a cleaner house
- cook more
- budget my time and my money better

I am sure I am forgetting something very important, but these will do for a start. What about you? Do you make resolutions? I don't generally make New Year's resolutions because I am forever nagging myself to change, but I thought it might be a good idea to actually write them down.

Oh, here is the little sketch I did get done yesterday.

This is supposed to be a yellow warbler. I think I should have drawn his beak open in song.

I am off to have a healthy breakfast and then walk the treadmill and then am going to set aside a bit of time to do nothing but art. I also need to get another journal made. I think I will make one for the Sketchbook Challenge. It will be fun to actually write in one of my own.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to "see" you again tomorrow.

xoxo