Where is January Going and Why So Fast?

Can you believe it is already the 21st of January? Didn't I just watch the new year come in? I was going to be so much more productive in  2010, but I am behind already.....

I am getting some things done, but with the Australian Open in session I am not doing as much as I should be. I did try to do a bit of sketching while watching yesterday and this is what I have to show for it:

I'm not sure who she is supposed to be. She doesn't look like anybody I was watching, but then I saw so many faces, perhaps she is a composite of them.

 

And this is the bird feeder that hangs out the front picture window. I was hoping for a bird to land, but no luck at that time.

Meanwhile I am getting a bit of a late start this morning. I went into town with the hubster - he had to have his cholesterol checked before they would renew his prescription - and then we went to Bob Evans for breakfast. I had the best omelet with onion, tomatoes and spinach. It was done to perfection - creamy and delicious. Too often when I order an omelet it is overdone and the egg is hard and dry, but not this one. Yummy!

My goals for today are:

1. Walk the treadmill mostly uphill for 30 minutes

2. Empty the dishwasher and do the dishes that are in the sink.

3. Wash down the kitchen cupboards

4. Work on my collaborative book exchange

5. Watch tennis

6. Go to my Photoshop webinar

7. Burn the huge amount of files that are in my "Art Stuff" folder to CD or DVD and then delete them from my hard drive so I can start over without getting overloaded.

So I'd better get a start on it if I am going to get done.

Just got off the phone with my Mom. She has made an appointment with a woman doctor who is in St. Ignace and gave me her FAX number to have her biopsy results sent. She made an appointment for next Tuesday. I am so glad that she is following through so promptly.

It is a beautiful, sunny day, if a bit cold. The wind chill may be in the low teens, but seeing the sun is so invigorating (at least if I am indoors looking out or enjoying the play of the sunlight on the walls).

I feel as though I am rambling, so I gotta go!

I hope to see you tomorrow.

xoxo

Happy New Year

Well this is the last day of 2009 and I think I am ready for 2010, or at least I will be when I get the new blank journal I ordered from Dick Blick. I think I have accomplished much of what I set out to do at this time last year. I completed my first art journal and have continued to follow the plan of practice, practice, practice.

I have more goals for 2010; they are similar to last year in that I want to continue to grow as an artist, to try new things, to dare to go outside of my comfort zone, to be creative everyday. Already in 2010 I have registered for two workshops: one is at Hollander's in Ann Arbor and is for making a concertina journal from a found book and the other is several workshops over three days at Artiscape in Columbus, Ohio. I must thank my dear friends Nancy and Tina for telling me about these respective opportunities and for also registering. I have taken a couple of workshops (both at Hollander's), but have always gone alone. I think both of these workshops will be so much more enjoyable going with a friend.

I would also like to develop my non-dominant hand a bit. I got this idea from my friend, Nancy. For one she is taking a creative lettering class and is a leftie (southpaw?) and she is trying to write right handed and is doing quite well at it (in kicks the competitive aspect for me)  and for another she loaned me a book about the brain and the amazing changes that occur with stimulus. I am about half way through and am fascinated with it. It is called "The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, M. D. I wish I could see just a tad better with my right eye. I would be tempted to try wearing a patch over my good eye for a bit of time each day to see if I could strengthen it. There was a thought that if I had worn a patch when I was a child, my right eye would focus, but the old school of thought was that if it wasn't done at an early age it would be too late. I have mostly only peripheral vision in my right eye (which is a good thing especially when it comes to driving), but I am unable to focus with it.


Here is my first attempt at writing printing with my left hand. It turned out better than I expected, but was very difficult and awkward.

I have also begun another journal page with a face. This time I have tried not to have "her" straight on. I have no idea how she will develop, but when I am finished with my morning coffee, I will don my painting apron and see what transpires. I will take pix as I go and share them.

 

 Sorry about the picture quality.

I am so looking forward to a new year and all the wonders and changes it promises.

Happy New Year to you. If you are out and about celebrating and drinking, please don't drive.

xoxo