i hadn't given much thought to my word for 2011 until around two weeks ago when the word 'SELF' kept popping into my head over and over again...it suddenly hit me...of course! i've been feeling disconnected from my higher self for some time now, my daily meditations fell to the wayside months ago and i haven't done a lot of art or sketching these past few months either. on top of that, i have gained excess weight over the past year after i giving up my vegan diet and going back to being pescetarian (a vegetarian who eats seafood)....i believe the weight gain was due to the sudden influx of dairy fats back into my system coupled with onset of menopause. if you follow my blog, you will also know that i've been coping with aches and pains over the past year and my health has become an issue for me.
so it stands to reason that i need to focus on my 'SELF' and its many facets - including mind, body and spirit! better time management is a must!
as from tomorrow i plan to -
so it stands to reason that i need to focus on my 'SELF' and its many facets - including mind, body and spirit! better time management is a must!
as from tomorrow i plan to -
- meditate daily
- eat healthier
- walk regularly
- ride the exercise bike daily
- journal daily
- work in my sketchbooks regularly
- smile often
all of the above will hopefully get me back on track to being a healthier, happier, more creative and connected ME!
to encourage these endeavours, i have signed up to a few sketch and journaling projects which are listed in my sidebar under '2011 participation'. i figure i can encompass the lot into my daily art/sketch work. i'm not going to put any pressure on myself in finishing a page a day but i will at least spend a little time each day working on a page until it's completed. below is my first art journal page for the year featuring my word for 2011.
i prepared the page spread first with a couple of layers of gesso, then painted a layer of yellow-green and warm white using acrylic paints roughly cross-hatched to blend them a little. using an old credit card, i then scraped on some red and orange acrylics. when dry, i used my graphite pencils to sketch a self-portrait. RATS! i always tend to make my face longer and more narrow than it is...a little more practice is needed.
then i used aqua acrylic paint to stencil on some contrasts. i also used some rub-on lettering.
i painted '2011' in aqua acrylic paint and outlined it with my pigma micron pen. i used stickers for 'self' and a little writing finished off the page. it felt so good working in my art journal over the past two days.
i hope to show more pages from my art journals and sketch books each week.
have you chosen a word for 2011?
or do you prefer to set yourself goals?
or neither?
anywhoo, whatever way you choose to take it on, i wish you all the very best for 2011!!!
~ love, light and peace ~
Getting back on my spiritual track is a biggie of mine this year, too, as you know. And taking better care of myself, too. This is going to be a great year! I like your list. Really looking forward to seeing what you do with your sketchbooks and journaling in the coming year. This is such a nice spread. Did you begin a brand new sketchbook, too?
ReplyDeleteBest to you lady! And I hope we both feel better in 2011!! :):)
Happy New Year Serena. May 2011 bring you and your family peace and happiness.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your word and your goals for the year - I think daily bike riding may be tough 3/4x times a week might be more realistic, but hey that's me.
I'm a resolution setter however only yesterday I came across chrisbrogan.com and set myself 3 words for 2011 to pin my goals on. My words are focus, creativity & happiness.
Like your 1st spread... I'm off now to see what you will participate in this year. EDiM again???
This is amazing!! I love that you used acrylic paint on it. Self is a great word for this year. Good for you. Taking care of yourself is really important. Love the page!!
ReplyDeleteLovely work Serena! I have not zeroed in on any one word yet and I don't really set goals, I just have dreams and try to do something each day that I think will bring me closer to one of the dreams....I guess if I had to pick a word right now I would pick "Focus"...I tend to get deterred by other things and people and put aside what I wanted to accomplish....yep "Focus" it is this year!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and I hope all the flooding hasn't caused you any problems...my prayers go out to those who are in the middle of the crisis right now!
Tina xo
These look like great projects Serena! I may sign up for one (or all!) of them myself as I've been looking for a way to focus on art while travelling.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to jump start the new year and SELF is a perfect word! Happy New Year to you too.
Hi Serena,
ReplyDeleteI was about to write to you again because I was worried that the floods in QLD might have affected you. Hope not.
What a great word to pick for the New Year. I have a few resolutions too and hope I can stick to them.
I love your first journal page. Can't wait to see the others on your journey of SELF!
I really pray that all your health issues have gone away with 2010.
Hugs and hope you write soon.
Hi Serena, art journaling. I want to do that! I love yours. You would laugh at the one I tried yesterday for the new year. I think my kids could do better. I used to be so good at drawing but I think it is gonna take some practice to get my artsy side working again. Pescetarian! That's what my son calls me. Honestly, I didn't know there were different names for the level of vegetarianism. I do still have shrimp and some fish, but not very often. The one thing I don't think I could give up is cheese and milk which is why veganism wouldn't work for me. I gained a lot of weight over the summer and have finally gotten most of it off. I changed my eating completely some years ago so eating healthy is second nature to me now. Sometimes I am just aghast at what folks will put in their bodies. Egads! :) SELF is the best place to start when it comes to creating change. Wishing you all the best on the journey. Blessings of peace, joy and love. Tammy
ReplyDeleteI love it! Self... A wonderful word to guide you. I often forget to pay attention to my "self". I choose the word believe to guide me this year.
ReplyDeleteI wish you many blessings and much happiness in 2011! xo
Oh Serena, I think that word is PERFECT for you, because YOU have had a very busy year with very little focus on yourself!! I love the picture, you are an AWESOME draw-er!! I can relate to the "no pressure" part of your participation statement!! A little can go a long way!!! Blessings to you this New Year :D
ReplyDeleteIt was great to see the steps of that work! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Serena, I like your list!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't set goals at the beginning of a new year, but I have a permanent list in my head.
So, if I had to choose a word, it would be PERSEVERANCE. I need to keep trying, to keep strong and to keep believing in myself.
Hope our universe will help us reach our goals!
Happy New Year to you, your lovely family and your friends!
ReplyDeleteExcellent list and wonderful art journaling pages.
WONDERFUL! Yes you do need to keep your SELF in the fore front of your intentions. If not you then who?
ReplyDeleteTake care of your health, mind, body and spirit.Love your art!!!
Love you Serena
Happy New Year.
great list for 2011..I have been thinking of a word and what seems to come up is : RELEASE. am going to explore and see what happens...
ReplyDeleteHi Serena. I love your plans. Your sketchbook drawings are great. I plan on doing a couple of your "things to be done list" and one of them is the posting a page or two of my journal. I've got a couple of pages and perhaps tomorrow. I try not to make resolutions anymore because I don't keep them. I do better with a list of things to do that's posted on my frig and checked off when each item is completed. I haven't given much thought to my word for the year but I'm working on it. Take care of yourself.:)
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of themeing the year with a word... and honestly, the first thing that jumped into my head was 'self control'. It's one 'idea' at least, if not actually one word. I need to be responsible for my health and my weight, the way I use my time and the way I parent. I'm easygoing and I'm ok with that, but I'm turning 40 and I know that an effort towards self control will reap big rewards. Thanks for giving me the focus! Now I have to go write a list...
ReplyDeleteYour wish for 2011 is similar to mine. I just posted about my wish for more connection between mind, body and spirit. I have set a few goals as well.
ReplyDeletei just love your page and it has inspired me to do something everyday in my journals
Lee:)
Yes! yes! feel free to add anything to the flickr group. Thats what its for. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great word for 2011--take care of yourself first--in all aspects of your life--it's just so obvious--and I love this journal spread!!
ReplyDeleteHI Serena
ReplyDeleteI wish you the Happiest of New Year's!!!
Love and hugs,
Tamerie
P.S. I hadn't thought of a word for 2011, but as I was writing this comment, the word 'peace' popped up. So, for me in 2011, I think PEACE will be my word. Thank you for inspiring it!
I love the last resolution, "smile often." That made me smile.
ReplyDeleteIt's been too long since I visited and yet, your art is still as amazing as ever. I loved that shared your sketch book. And I really loved how you used the color "red," which is a favorite of mine.
I have another blogging friend who shared her own journal. You might want to stop by and visit her site. I think you'd enjoy her writing very much. You can reach her here: http://whynotstartnow.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/celebrating-myself-home-with-an-art-journal/
BTW Happy New Year and please do take good care of yourself:~)
Hi Serena,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, pages and word!
Hm, no, I haven't chosen a word.
All the best wishes for you in 2011
Hugs,
Anna
Hi Serena! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving the comments on Vitamin D I wrote about. I do agree that if we listen to the media for our health concerns, no doubt we are confused totally! Actually we are suffering our ills due to some extremely clever marketing and a lot of lies. Stay tuned on my blog! I am creating a website and NEW blog to go with it, all health centered. I am a certified nutritionist and health professional (recently) and have a passion for helping people find the truth and wellness!
ReplyDeleteFor 2011 my word would be Health!
hugs
suZen
Awesome, Serena! Your list of SELF things seems very much like mine. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou picked a perfect word for 2011! I love all your goals, and your journal spread is wonderful as always. But I think you're much more beautiful than your drawing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good, positive plan for getting yourself where you want to be, spiritually and physically. Your journal also looks to be off to a great start.
ReplyDeleteBlessings in the new year.
Gwenny
brilliant brilliant brilliant! I hope you stay on track without any pressure. I just signed up for creative everyday, and noticed you were 298 and I was 299. so I raced over here to tell you. (strange, I know, but on a list with so many it feels a little "highschool"...that I know somebody there/here....ok, so I having a mad day, but i am excited). I forgot about the single word for the year last year. I love what yours is, I am feeling similar...I will come up with one too now you have inspired me. xxx
ReplyDeleteYour journal pages are just lovely! I tend to not make a set list of rules or goals. Just intentions. I think my word will be persistance. Never give up. Always perservere. Yep that it! I have been pondering what my word is going to be and that is it! Thanks for the little kick there. Made up my mind! Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteRita - Yes, it looks like you and I are on the same spiritual track this year. No, I didn't start a new sketchbook as I have quite a few unfinished ones that I really want to complete.
ReplyDeleteSue - My bike riding is done on an exercise bike indoors so it's easier for me to achieve on a daily basis as I ride while I watch TV. Love the three words you chose.
Gina - Thanks! Yes, I use acrylics a lot in my journal work so it works in well for the UPC January theme.
Tina - Thanks for the well wishes re. the flooding. Queensland has certainly copped a battering the past month and more rain is expected. I feel so bad for the people who have been evacuated in the flooded areas....I worry about the animals too. :( 'Focus' is a great word...I could use some of that myself.
Kate - Thanks...it would be great if you took up one of the challenges too. Sketching is a great way to do art when you're out and about.
Norma - Thanks. So far, we've escaped the floods apart from the problem with the water run-off we now get from the new housing lots behind us.
Tammy - You CAN do it! The great thing about art journals is that they are personal and don't have to be perfect. I don't eat a lot of seafood either.
Caroline - Thanks. 'Believe' in yourself and all else will fall into place...great word!
Eden - Thanks. So true...projects can't be enjoyed if we put ourselves under pressure.
Sandi - Thanks...I'm going to try and share more process work this year. I just need to remember to take photos during the process. lol
Simony - Thanks. Perseverance always pays off...well wishes for 2011.
ReplyDeletePaula - Thanks!
Gemma - Very true...and if I'm not well, I'm of no use to anyone else. Thanks for your nice comments on my art.
Bettyann - Thanks! 'Release' is a great word for 2011. It teaches us not to hold onto the negatives...release them and move on.
Gloria - Thanks. I don't like resolutions either. I've set myself some tasks as guides without pressure....beats stressing over it.
Anna - 'Self-control' does count as one word in my books. I could use a lot of self-control myself when it comes to saying NO to those foods that I know will go straight to my thighs. lol
Lee - I'm glad you feel inspired to do some everyday journal work.
Diane - Thanks!
Tamerie - A Happy New Year to you also! 'Peace' is such a calming and beautiful word to choose...individually and globally.
Sara - Thanks. The red is very effective in the spread. Thanks for your friend's link...I will definitely check it out.
Anna - Thanks!
SuZen - I've added you to my blog list so I can keep track of your posts.
Jane - Thanks!
Janet - Thanks. Awwwww...that's a very sweet thing to say.
Gwendolyn - Thanks...I hope this word will help me focus on the Self in all its aspects for 2011.
messy fish - Thanks! That's cool that you have signed up for CED too!
Heather - Thanks! 'Persistence' is a powerful word...I wish you well with it for 2011.
My very best to you Serena for 2011 - all happiness and good health!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed catching up here - and good for you, getting back to what feels good and is good for you this year...and of course being a Gramma now you need to continue to look young and be flexible and free ....
ReplyDeletelove the journal page, self portrait, etc...
Happy New Year Serena! I love your journal pages! I totally relate to your word for the year. It almost literally hit me at the end of last year when someone made a hurtful comment - just a stereotypical view they have had of me for years and years - and it got me thinking of how much I've been trying to please and never truly thought about what I want in a very deep sense. 'Selfish' is used to mean something negative but actually it's so important to look after yourself in order to be more giving! I hope 2011 will be a wonderful year for you, you deserve it!
ReplyDelete