back to my creative journey

I've been thinking........  if this blog is about my creative journey then I need to stay true to my intentions.  I realize that I have not been posting as often I could have been.  I, have always and still do, struggle with being judged.  My childhood was tainted with not being good enough.  I know there are many other women out there who have the same fear.  It's one that can be overcome, each time it presents itself, with action.  I have decided to step forward with courage in my heart.  It's about my creative journey, good and not so good.   I hope it will encourage you to step out, too.  I'll be your cheerleader.

My word for 2013 is cultivate which means to apply oneself to improving or developing.  One of the places I can cultivate is right here on this blog of mine. These are some of the art that I have been creating in my journals.

I was thinking of my sister, Bonnie, who loves butterflies.

My sister Bonnie has a severe case of viral meningitis.  She went into the hospital on 12/8/12 and didn't leave until 1/18/13.  I was feeling a little down about her and her situation when I did these pages in my journal.  Once I allowed myself to feel my feelings I decided to paint my way out of the doom and gloom.  They say art heals, well I believe it does, too!
Needless to say, creatively I have been feeling like I'm in the ebb, again.  I know it's natural to go there but it doesn't make it anymore comfortable.

On Wednesday, 1/16/13, I went to take care of my sister.  She was being released from the hospital and I wanted to be there to help with her recovery.  After a few days, she encouraged me to paint something for her.  Which I did by standing at her kitchen counter and talking with her.  These are the paintings I created.

Both of them were done with water color.  A medium I had little experience with.  Words are needed to complete them.  So maybe I'll show them again later when they are done.

Here's the greatest piece of all.  One night I coaxed Bonnie into creating a piece of art.  At first she was hesitant because she is not able to control her dominant hand.  So this background was created by her painting with her left hand.  It is truly a masterpiece! 

PAY IT FORWARD 2013

I have always been fond of "paying it forward".  I'm looking for someone to join me in the fun of sharing handmade gifts. 
Teresa

 on your mark... get set... let's have some fun!

Do you like to RECEIVE handmade gifts? Do you like to GIVE handmade gifts and bring joy to others? Do you want to join a blog hop that involves giving and receiving in a PAY IT FORWARD manner?

PAY IT FORWARD 2013
I am participating this project because I believe that giving handmade gifts is important in many ways. Not only does it bring joy to others but it helps us as artists stretch our creative bones, make new friends and connections, and spread the handmade movement further and further into our world.  I commit to giving a handmade gift to one person who signs up to participate in this project and who is willing to "Pay It Forward" on ther own blog.  Ready to join the fun?

GUIDELINES

1. If you would like to participate, please sign up by leaving a comment below on this post.  Follow up by emailing me at smileee001@gmail.com with your contact/address information.  The first person to show commitment to the project will receive a handmade gift from me!!!

2.  Post this project on your own blog--I will email you a simple cut-n-paste to make it easy.  Gather one new participant and be willing / prepared to follow through with the "Pay It Forward" part!!!  (I will send your handmade gift once you've shown commitment by gathering one new participant)  Please link back to this original post: ("JOIN THE FUN! Pay It Foward 2013").  I will include a link to your post so we can follow the project from its origin.

3.  I will give you a small, heartfelt handmade gift.  In turn, you give a small, heartfelt handmade gift to your participant and bring on the joy!  (please wait to send a gift until your participant has gathered their own new participant)

(also please only enter under one blog... unless you are willing to perpetuate more than one chain)

(If you want to join but my slot is filled, follow the link below until you find an open slot)

My participant and her "Pay It Forward" blog link: 
Kara Monroe (click on her link)

my word for 2013

"to apply oneself to improving or developing"

Last year I was introduced to the idea of choosing a word and applying it to the year, using the word to motivate and guide me through out the year.  In 2012 my word was New Beginnings click here to read more  I had many new beginnings. 

This year my word is cultivate.  You may associate the word with farming and agriculture and that's OK.  My creative journey, as well as my life,  and farming have a lot  a similarities.  The definition I am referring to is "to apply oneself to improving and developing".  All the seeds I planted, all the new beginnings I have started, I am ready to tend to them and develop them.  It feels calmly exciting!  

 

I belong with a group of artist and we are all sharing each other's 2013 word as just another way to encourage each other.  If you want to read more words just click on this link.

Did you choose a word for 2013?  Tell me if you did and what your word means to you, I really want to hear.

Keep Smiling!

Teresa