I'm baaaaack!!!

For reasons I will not bore you with in this post, I am officially beginning my new year right now!  Yes, I am a month late, I have no resolutions, and I have no word of the year...

But... What I do have is fresh perspective, a whole lot of enthusiasm, and a motto for the year to come... Let's Dudish!

So, what does "Let's Dudish!" mean?
For me, it's a reminder to:

Stay true to myself, my goals, and the things that make me feel alive.

Say "Yes!" to opportunities that make my heart sing, and politely decline ones that don't speak to my soul or that just don't feel right.

Take better care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally... 
And, be kind and gentle with myself along the way.

Leave plenty of time for play.

and...

Have fun!

I'm really excited to (finally) be leaping into the new year...
I've missed blogging and YOU!

I would love to hear what your plans are for 2016!
(If you wrote a New Year's post, 
leave me the link in the comments so I can catch up!)

I'm Back With Fresh Perspective For A New Year!

Believe.

When my dear friend Eva suggested that I choose a "Word of the Year", my first thought was "Health".  (If you read my previous post you know why.)  After giving it more thought, I came up with a new word... "Believe".

2011 was a year of (many) medical crises for my family, the worst of which was in August when my father-in-law almost died.  At the time I couldn't write about it because my emotions were much too raw.  But now, many months later, I am able to share with you how that time has changed my perspective...

Without sharing the gory details, I can simply say that he was laughing and joking over a family dinner one night, then the very next day he was in critical condition and a nurse was telling us to "prepare ourselves" because things were "very, very bad".  It continued to be a roller coaster for the following month - one minute things were looking up, then the next minute things things were critical again.

During the hardest times, when things were bleak and I was at my saddest, I kept finding pennies wherever I went.  I believed they were a sign that everything was going to be okay... And it was.  My father-in-law's recovery and return to the kind, compassionate, strong man he was at the beginning of August is astonishing.  He is a living miracle - all of his doctors and nurses have said so.

So, for 2012, my word is "Believe".

This year I am believing...

In miracles

In hard work and dedication

In hope and faith

In myself

In others

In big dreams 

and

In endless possibilities.

Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, creative, fun-filled, miraculous New Year!

xo

Kristin

p.s.  If you've chosen a "Word of the Year" I'd love to hear what it is!

The Latest Edition of Somerset Studio Magazine...

September/October 2011

Has 2 of my (Hitchcock inspired) mixed media paintings in it!

pages 113 and 117

Thank you to the crew at Stampington & Company for including me in your beautiful magazine!

And a great big thanks to my friend, Roc, for the congratulatory email that let me know my paintings had been published!

The Last Sketch of 2010 and Creative Goals for 2011!

Happy Gnu Year!

I figured I had just enough time to squeeze in a little more silliness before the end of 2010.  I couldn't help myself... Oh how I love to play with words!

I also thought this would be the perfect time to write out my creative goals for 2011.  I don't know about you, but I always feel like writing something down makes it more real... more official.  So, in the spirit of keeping myself on track in the coming year, here goes...

2011 Creative Goals

• work on, finish up, and mail out The Sketchbook Project (this is at the very top of my list because the deadline is January 15th!)
• learn how to sew
• build a website
• take more photographs and learn more about Photoshop
• attend more life drawing sessions with Stevie
• work in my sketchbook daily (even if it's only 10 minutes!)
• paint at least 52 new paintings
• finally create the children's book dummy that has been kicking around in my head for so many years
• submit to a creative magazine
• submit a t-shirt design to Threadless
• update my etsy shop with new artwork often
• look into selling my work at local art fairs, shops, and galleries
• create more edible art
• keep having fun!

Lots to do, but I have a whole year to do it!

What are some of your goals for 2011?