{ My Word of the Year 2019 : TENACITY }

I am privileged enough to meet monthly with an AMAZING group of Creative Professional women in my adopted hometown of Blacksburg, VA. We have been meeting for years and have fallen into a comfortable rhythm of reflecting on our previous year each December and goal setting each January. Several years ago, we started choosing our ‘Word of the Year’ in January. My original word was ‘Courage’ but that did not feel quite right…

I know I have courage. I left an incredibly toxic relationship at the beginning of 2018. A relationship that needed to end much earlier than it did. A relationship that left with me with low self confidence and little self worth. Being alone scared me endlessly but it was the best decision I’ve ever made for my daughter and me. I took myself to and from China by myself to work with children in July 2018. This was a trip that changed my emotional, spiritual and financially life forever. I regularly create art and put it on public display. That takes courage. And then, five days before Christmas, the Children’s Museum where I have spent the past 1.5 years of my life as Program Coordinator for children age 0-5 years, announced it would be closing it doors for an unforeseeable time as it transitioned to a new location…and if we wanted to work there again, we would have to reapply for any available positions. Looking ahead to an unknown future as a single mother and a full-time working artist in a rural town in southwestern Virginia takes courage.

The word courage didn't fit this new chapter of my life.

The more I reflected on what I wanted 2019 to be, I wanted courage…on steroids. That is when I found the word ‘TENACITY.’

Courage plus spirit, grit and spunk; a fierce determination.

So bring it 2019. I’m ready.

What is your Word of the Year? How did you come to choose it?

{ INK INSPIRATIONS : PART ONE } : Sketchbooks // Oct-Nov

And the ink experiments carry on! I am working in so many different books at the moment and have no plans to stop any time soon. I am becoming more comfortable experimenting with color and bringing in experimental calligraphy with cola pens. My next step is to go in and add details with gel pens…a step I cannot wait to begin!

{ Valentine's Love Letter Workshop } : January 28, 2017 // Blacksburg, VA

I am so excited to partner up with my friends over at The Joyful Quill to create this truly unique bookmaking/writing workshop on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at The Artful Place in Blacksburg, VA. I will be kicking off the workshop by leading a 'Flower Fold' bookbinding experience. This mini book is adorable, so easy to make and looks terrific! Next up is Lesley and Jenny from The Joyful Quill to lead you through a writing exercise to help you craft the perfect love letter for your Valentine!

Pre-registration is REQUIRED...so please follow this link for event details!

Valentine's Love Letter Workshop

{ GRATITUDE } :: An Extension of my *Discipline* //

In my last post, I talked about why I decided to make 'Discipline' my Power Word for 2017. It started in the end of 2016, when I decided to resume my long standing practice of morning journaling. I knew that this morning ritual was key to finding answers I am seeking. Long before the new year began, I put pen to paper and began writing. Some days it is easy to pound out the pages, some days it seems to take me awhile to get the words out. This isn't book writing here, either, this is 'stream of consciousness, no body is going to read this but me' writing...nonetheless, it can be a challenge. One morning, I was writing and noticed that I was being very hard on myself. Berating myself in my journal about all that I was NOT accomplishing on any given day in regards to my art biz. So I made the conscious decision to add something to my journal...a nightly entry of what I accomplished that day. No matter how big or small the task is, it goes on the page. I have recently started to add what made me happy, laugh or feel joyous on that day as well.

What is this daily (and now nightly) practice doing for me...specifically my wonky mental health in the long winter months?

LOADS.

I never noticed how much I laugh on any one given day. My daughter is HILARIOUS. She hits the ground running every morning and it can take me awhile to catch up but when I do, we have these lovely quiet mornings together that I cherish. She sees me writing and grabs her little 'dairy' and sits at the table with me. We share a meal together and get ready for our day. This is truly a blessing.

My mind has been blown by the positive feedback my new approach to art is receiving. I will still make books (that is my true Soul Work) but I wanted to expand my artistic chops so I challenged myself to make one new paper collage per day. (You can check out a few of them right here or you can see them all on my Instagram feed).

Beyond that, now my day does not feel like it is one long to-do list that never seems to get done. I can SEE what I am accomplishing and it encourages me to KEEP GOING.

Do you have a daily practice that keeps you focused, moving forward and assisting you in living a life of gratitude? I would love to hear all about it!

{ * DISCIPLINE * } : My Power Word of the Year for 2017

While talking with fellow artist and business bestie, she challenged me to post my 'Word of the Year.' I chose DISCIPLINE without thought or hesitation. Towards the end of last year, I resumed my long standing love of journaling most mornings. I was feeling scattered, lost and frightened about the direction of my personal and creative life. I was still going to the studio and creating a massive body of work but my enthusiasm was waning. I had the best year of my art educator career in 2016 and loved every class I taught (and every person I met!) but I didn't feel expansive in the artwork I was creating...in other words, I was in a creative rut. I decided to get up early every morning and write my way to an answer. I know that the answer to all of my problems lays within my daily writing and will present me with the answers I need to move forward confidently. Beyond that, DISCIPLINE will take me to the studio every day. My job is to show up and get to work, the Creative Universe will care of the rest.

I wrote this as an Instagram post on Thursday, January 5, 2017. I was hesitant to post something that would make me so vulnerable. I try to keep my posts on social media art-based, educational or creative lifestyle based and very light. But I need a change in my life. I start every year out committed to making this my best art biz year yet...and as the year goes on, I get wrapped up in life and just can't seem to maintain the momentum. My life is beautiful...I am infinitely blessed on many levels but I want the challenge this year of getting my art career to move forward. I am reaching out to you for support and accountability. I am taking risks with my art work that I am thrilled about. It is VERY different than what I have been focusing on in the past. I will still make the handmade books. I will still print with things I find on my wanderings and outdoor adventures. This is my year of COLOR (bright, bold, vibrant!) and MINI (and I mean teeny tiny). I have a lot of other goals beyond creating art: I have more workshops (many are NEW) this year than any other year and I am creating more summer camps in addition to the 'Creative Girls' Tribe.' I have a lot more treasures up my sleeve in regards to my business that I will unveil as I pound out the ideas in my morning journal. Beyond that, I vow to share more of my personal art--my art journal spreads, my studio, my art making process, my insights through journaling, my successes, failures and frustrations as an artist--and my personal life including my beautiful, creative, funny daughter.

My wish is that you will join me on this journey.

What about you...Do you have a 'Power Word of the Year'? What is it?