.png){kind=small}
I am spending the last day of 2010 tying up some loose ends both personal and SDA job related. One of the things I wanted to get done was making a spiffy cover for my sketchbook.
I used some scraps of my hand-dyed and printed fabrics and fused them together.
I used gel medium to attach the fused pieces to the sketchbook and then did a layer of medium over everything.
Once it is completely dry, I will attach a ribbon tie to hold the fat thing together!! I am very happy with the whole project and part of me does not want to send it off. But that is what I signed on to do and I will enjoy knowing it is out there for others to see.
How you feeling about the end of 2010 and the start of a new year? I always spend some time pondering where I have been and where I would like to go.
As an artist, I tried some new things this past year. So far I have not had great success entering them in venues, but I plan to continue some of the exploration (more on that later) and attempt to push myself in new directions and also honing the work I find satisfying.
As an aging woman, I am mindful that I must keep taking care of myself. My sinuses seem to be under control for the time being. The ENT said not to come back unless I have a totally awful sinus infection! I did have a very serious incident with my blood pressure which scared the heck out of me. I am on new medication and seem to have it under control. I know I need to continue to eat carefully and keep an active life. Scooter is a big help, but I think it is time for me to join a gym and do some weightlifting and possibly some water aerobics.
As a busy person. I flit from project to job to activity, leaving a trail of detritus on my desk, in my studio, in the tv room or where ever I have been doing something. I find that the day comes when I can’t take it any more and I have to spend the day cleaning up after myself. I want to simplify my life and so I plan to spend 15 – 20 minutes a day tackling the detritus of the day before. I know that I can set my timer for 15 minutes and get a whole lot done that I would otherwise put off.
My 2011 Project: I have devised a project for the coming year. If you read my blog very often, you know that I buy lots of great books. I thumb through them and then they end up in a pile some place in my office. My goal for 2011 is to start going through my books and selecting exercises, perhaps one a week, which I will chronicle on the blog. I think Friday or Saturday of each week, I will plan to post what I have done for that week.
I had so much fun making the cover for my sketchbook this morning. It felt good to be in my studio thinking about color and design! I have lots of deadlines coming up. I have taken a month or more off from serious art work. It is time to jump back in and I can hardly wait.
I want to thank all my readers, known and unknown. You keep me going. You make my life interesting. You keep me thinking. You make me laugh. I wish you the best for the coming year. I hope you will continue to come here as I soon start my sixth year of blogging.
Tonight we are going out to dinner and then going to hear Pink Martini, a Portland musical group that we love. Here is a sample.
re: joining a gym
Too bad you don’t live a little closer to the east side. Club
Sport in Tigard has a great aqua class. A lot of the women are “of a certain age” and we have a wonderful time. Very social class too. If someone hasn’t shown up for a while, people start asking around and calling just to make sure everything is OK. Makes dragging out of bed in the morning worthwhile.
HA: YOU are going to start going to the gym and I have decided to put that aside for a while and do more yoga either at home or at a studio!! LOL I’ve done it for two days now and it makes me feel so good and loose! I also love the quiet time.
I try to pick up as I go along….then it’s not so painful, and I figure I’ve got to put the stuff down anyway, so why not put it where it belongs? b-o-r-i-n-g!
Love, love, love your sketchbook cover! It is so you!
Happy New Year – a few days late!
xo
Spiffy indeed, I like it! Is the perfect foretaste to what waits inside.
Spiffy cover indeed – I like it!
I wish you a very happy year Gerrie!
I am a lurker on your blog. You inspire me with your creative energy and enthusiasm. May 2011 be another inspiring year for you.
Pat
Thank you for every beautiful message you sent me during these last months. I can’t possibly tell you how much they meant to me.
Looking forward to getting back into the joy of creating and can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Wishing you good health and lots of creative energy in 2011.
You have been an inspiration and comfort for me in 2010. Thank you very much.
Let’s see what wonderful things happen in 2011.
toasting you and all your creative energies, wit, and spirit as i type. yes, i’m down with 2-0-1-1!
Happy New Year, dear Gerrie. I wish you health, happiness, joy, creative successes, and much fun. Thank you for being such an inspiration. I for one, am so glad 2010 is over and look forward to a new year. I pulled out some of my books today and great minds think alike! I really want to work through some of Sandra Meech’s books, and Finding your Visual Language. This is going to be my year to grow as an artist. Thank you for always making me think, for your humor, and your gorgeous artwork. Of course, a peek at life with Scooter is something I look forward to, as well as Miles and Mia. Take care and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers.
Love to you, too, for a happy new year!
What a great end of the year wrap up and move forward! You sound realistic and positive. I like your idea of an exercise a week. Perhaps I will play along as I have a book or two I’d like to get to, and I can always take time to draw more. You model a full and creative life and are as much an inspiration to me as you find your readers are to you!