101 in 1001 Days

Friday November 11th saw the end of my 101 Things to do in 1001 Days.

When I started the list back in Feb.2009, it was a challenge to just make the list, let alone think 2 + years into the future. But the time has past and I did accomplish many things on my list. Not all of them, but a lot. Did I think it worthwhile? Yes, very much so. It helped me set goals and although not all were met, I believe I accomplished more because there was a list.

This quote is quite true:

"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal.

The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." by Benjamin E. Mays

So today I have begun a new list of goals, some from my first list and many new ones. The next 1001 days will pass, whether I plan or not - so I want to reach for many new things - especially retirement! And fittingly enough, the 1001st day falls on my Mom's birthday in 2014!

(I will add my list to the side over the next week)

Check here for the original site of 101 in 1001, where you can help creating your own list.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

This past week I have actually been able to create or work on some art each day.

(and have now found my header for my Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up - hopefully I will figure out how to add words to the above!)

AEDM

Leah of Creative Every Day is hosting Art Every Day this Month and I am following her survival guide. There have been interesting nuggets each day.

Here are a few pieces I did this week from her prompts:

Walk outside and observe the world around you:

I love the leaves at this time of year - loved the rough wood behind. Love photography as well.

Make bad art (it's getting me in the mood tho for the holidays!)

Just Do it:

I had seen this heron in an old, old copy of "Flat Tail" and I loved the lines.
(I love herons as well) So I attempted a sketch - on a day when I really didn't feel too creative.

Create Small:

I do this all the time with ATCs .

The Artist's Way

I am a week behind! I finally finished Chapter 9 for our group that is hosted by Paula.

I love the message in this chapter that enthusiasm and play are paramount. Yes we need to have discipline, but the joy must be there in the creating.

I enjoyed the task of describing and visualizing what my future life will be like.

"I am an artist and an art teacher, holding classes for children".

Yes, I can see it! And I am working on steps to get there.

When the task asked us to chose an artist totem I knew what it had to be:an art doll I created a few years ago for a Visual Arts teaching course I took.

She has many of the symbols I associate with myself. She now has a place of honour on my shelves.

This week I will forge ahead with Chapter 10.

Shadow Shot Sunday

After snow flurries and coolldd weather yesterday, it was a nice surprise to find a bright sunny morning today. A perfect day to track down shadows!

I experimented with some coloured glass and loved the effects (thanks to Sylvia for her inspiration!)






And I checked around the house for some other shadows.

Be sure to check out Hey Harriet (that addictive meme of Tracy's) for some awesome shadows!

Wishcasting Wednesday

Today Jamie Ridler gain poses a very intriguing, seemingly simple question:

Who do you wish to have tea with?

As I thought about it, I thought of people in the past who I might have liked to have tea with - people like Katherine Hepburn, Virginia Woolf, Mother Teresa, Corrie Ten Boom or Rachel Carson for example - To listen to their accumulated wisdom, to hear their stories.

But I realized that what I would like most is to reconcile the women in our family, to gather the sisters, daughters, cousins and aunts together; to share our hurts and feelings and wishes and needs; to expose the past and wash it away with pot after pot of tea; to cry and hug and feel each others' pain; to reconnect in love.

A Jamie says:
"You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog. Support wishes by visiting other participants. It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together."

Multitudes on Mondays

This is turning into a very special way to look at the week that was and to express gratitude for the many wonderful things that have happened, even if they were simple pleasures.

This week I was so thankful for:

31. time out with my husband

(portrait of us inspired by Picasso)

32. being able to finish my progress reports -on time!

33. laughter and kindness from my students

34. for beautiful flowers on my table - tonight I bought red carnations

(to represent kindness and flowers- again inspired by Picasso - one of my favourites by the great artist)

35. music to dance to, to get me moving and enjoying the exercise

36. hearing from my children

37. an excellent math workshop last week, which tho was very long, was also very informative

38. beautiful weather for so long into November

39. time for art several times

40. receiving so many lovely ATCs for my birthday to come - Thank you to all those wonderful artists!

Stop by "A Holy Experience" for more "Multitudes on Monday", with the list that never ends!

Sunday Weekly Wrap-up - AEDM, The Artist's Way

Just a quick post as I have a bit more work to finish report cards for tomorrow.

Time for Sunday Weekly Wrap -up - my look at the week that was.

AEDM

This month is "Art Every Day Month" - a challenge offered by Leah at Creative Every Day.

I am enjoying working through Leah's Survival Guide. She provides a prompt each day, to spark inspiration and motivation. It is also a chance to see more of her artwork.

Here are a few of the pieces I have created and a summary of what I've done:

Nov. 2: Watercolour Horse - inspired from a card from Saratoga

Nov. 3: Finished ATCs for a swap (theme was Stamps/Scrapbooking)

Nov. 4: Painted backgrounds for ATCs

Nov. 5: Photography (more skies! I posted a few photos for SSS in the previous post)

Nov. 6: Worked on my art room! - Leah talked about having your own creative space on Day 4 and I finally got inspired to do that.

The Artist's Way

Paula at "HappySnappy" hosts this exploration of "The Artist's Way".

I have read Chapter 9 but have not done much on the tasks . My artist's date has been my daily time for creating or working on my art space.

Morning papers - nil. I did re-read those I have done this round and the round before (a year ago). It is not surprising, I guess , that some of the same issues arise.

Now that reports will be out of the way I can devote more time to actually working through this chapter.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Once again, it is time to share shadows. With bright sunshine this morning, I was able to get a few shadows.

And of course, I had to get a few shots of our cat.

Be sure to check SSS at Hey Harriet! -that super fun meme created by Tracy.