word of the year... Explore!

revolving, evolving worlds, color and sparkle

 

how did you do with last year's word of the year?
(the above image was taken at the Denver Museum of Art)

My word was change last year...

What a year it was, and I learned that choosing a word means you learn about all sides of it, the good and the bad.

I think in the back of my mind I hope to learn the good from a word, but I often get kicked around by them.
This year I learned change isn't always good or for the better. Changes can be too numerous and overwhelming. Many changes are not for the better, they just are life.  I learned I like changes when I choose to experience them but when they are forced on me like a bad cocktail guest, not good.

I learned it takes strength to face change, acceptance to cope with it, and mental effort to process it.

there is a lot out there to explore

This year I considered a phrase of the year, being very specific as the universe needs to know just what I want, lol. What about  "experience good things". Just for balance you understand... I've done the other side of that, now I'd like to know what it's like to fall butter side up.

Somehow our luck needs to change for the better this year.
We do everything we know to do, to prepare, to foresee issues, to handle life, but somehow we are always picking up life's pieces, with some having rolled under a sofa. 

The main word, the focus for this year,

will be "EXPLORE"

explore ideas for art, make more, see more in museums and work done by other artists. I'd like to explore new groups here, since there are groups of painters, beaders, doll makers, writers, ancestry, etc. I'll visit the groups and see if the atmosphere feels good or restrictive.

Explore publishing. I'd like to work on my novel this year. It has a mystery element, and I realized I must come up with the mystery and solve it!
Explore music again. I grew up playing piano, and have a keyboard I've not opened. I have a ukelele I want to  play again too, so maybe find a teacher this time.

Explore making art with my supplies, use them freely without concern for waste. Each time I make something I learn about the principles of design. It releases my spirit. I forget time and pain.

Explore the area... see the West... visit towns, go and do.

Explore will define itself as the year progresses. Explore will teach me, and give unexpected experiences.

At the end of 2018, I joined a small new art quilt group with people I like, who want to grow in their art. I have learned to be alone this year, but also know I thrive by being with people who are smart and funny, engaged in life, accepting of others, and that like who I am.I've learned to walk away from people who are the opposite. Age has it's merits.

My list of goals for this year... along with breathe deeply and keep going...

Take Ukelele lessons

Set up the keyboard and play piano again

Paint weekly/ draw/write on the novel

Pursue publishing

Read or look through quilting books

Organize the studio totally

     Go through patterns

     List books

     Sort fabric drawers

      UFO’s sort and decide

Journal quilts

Drink more water, eat better, try to sleep well

Dance again

See the area…get in the car and go to new towns.

Open each box in basement

Contact friends, set up dates, meet for game nights

Meet like minded people who are accepting and smart, funny and creative, and kind

Join some groups like beaders, writers, ancestry, doll makers, painters

Use my supplies with abandon even on work that won’t be shown or competitive

Learn to use my digital 'slr' camera and edit photo software

Write more studio interviews and post on blog which means visit studios

Explore

Uh Oh, me too, short arms...Oh they meant meteors... never mind!