Hi everyone!
We had a lovely New Year's Eve watching movies and then, at midnight, we toasted out the old year and welcomed in the new one while listening to Auld Lang Syne on the radio. That song always brings a tear or two to my eyes. Beau and Aaron went off to bed but Brad and I stayed up a while longer. I dragged my tired body off to bed at 2AM only to be up again just after 5AM. It seems I can't shake my early bird habit no matter what time I go to bed.
Just prior to the new year, I bought a Buddha for my kitchen. I'm amassing quite a collection of them now. I love the Tibetan/Indian style of Buddha best because he has a calm, peaceful and tranquil aura to me.
I think this Buddha goes quite well with the reds in my kitchen too. May he help me to remain calm amidst the chaos of cooking the evening meals in the kitchen.
In 2009 and 2011, I attempted the 52 weeks of Me project which entailed taking a self-portrait each week. I've never been a photogenic person in photos and I'm usually the one in the group with my eyes closed....nearly always captured mid-blink. So I took on the SP project as a personal challenge and a way of battering down those insecurities about my looks. I managed 19 weeks of self-portraits in 2009 and, last year, I managed around 34 weeks of self-portraits until my health issues arose and put a spanner in the works. Hopefully, this year I will do even better.
I snapped this photo earlier today for WEEK ONE in the 52 Weeks of Me 2012 project.
OH, and as promised, here is the quick sketch I did on our day trip to Burgess Park last week. I got to use my new KOI watercolour field set for the first time. YAY!
I'm not the greatest at landscapes so I found some leaves to sketch.
I finally settled on my word for 2012 and will post about that this week.
I hope 2012 is off to a great start for you all!
We had a lovely New Year's Eve watching movies and then, at midnight, we toasted out the old year and welcomed in the new one while listening to Auld Lang Syne on the radio. That song always brings a tear or two to my eyes. Beau and Aaron went off to bed but Brad and I stayed up a while longer. I dragged my tired body off to bed at 2AM only to be up again just after 5AM. It seems I can't shake my early bird habit no matter what time I go to bed.
Just prior to the new year, I bought a Buddha for my kitchen. I'm amassing quite a collection of them now. I love the Tibetan/Indian style of Buddha best because he has a calm, peaceful and tranquil aura to me.
I think this Buddha goes quite well with the reds in my kitchen too. May he help me to remain calm amidst the chaos of cooking the evening meals in the kitchen.
In 2009 and 2011, I attempted the 52 weeks of Me project which entailed taking a self-portrait each week. I've never been a photogenic person in photos and I'm usually the one in the group with my eyes closed....nearly always captured mid-blink. So I took on the SP project as a personal challenge and a way of battering down those insecurities about my looks. I managed 19 weeks of self-portraits in 2009 and, last year, I managed around 34 weeks of self-portraits until my health issues arose and put a spanner in the works. Hopefully, this year I will do even better.
I snapped this photo earlier today for WEEK ONE in the 52 Weeks of Me 2012 project.
OH, and as promised, here is the quick sketch I did on our day trip to Burgess Park last week. I got to use my new KOI watercolour field set for the first time. YAY!
I'm not the greatest at landscapes so I found some leaves to sketch.
I finally settled on my word for 2012 and will post about that this week.
~ Love, light and peace ~
I like the red Buddha!! He is serene and calm. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely picture of you. You have such long lashes!! I hope you can do the entire 52 weeks this year.
Great sketches. You have the big set of the Koi watercolors--nice! Looks like they work well. In your hand, at least--LOL! ;)
I hope you are feeling better. You've definitely been in my thoughts, dear one! :):)
I love your red Buddha it looks wonderful in the kitchen. I love the "slimmer" version myself. Much more in line with the teachings.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for managing to stay up past midnight. I was in bed by 10:30 and out like a light by 11:00. No worries, I heard the fireworks at midnight and wished all a silent Happy New Year.
Best wishes on your 52 weeks. You can do it. Speaking from experience you just have to push through even when you think you don't look so hot or feel so great. That actually is a part of it. We have to take the yin with the yang. I will keep checking in on you ;-)
Peace~
Dawn
The new red Buddha looks great in your kitchen. Maybe that's what I need for my kitchen to help me with cooking!
ReplyDeleteLove the self-portrait. I hope you can do all 52 weeks this year.
I love those splashes of red in your kitchen which are so inviting, and yet the buddha has a really calming influence there too! very yin and yang!
ReplyDeleteI like that shiny red Buddha! I agree that he has a calming affect on me too!!! When I see a Buddha, I always try to think of a Buddha in my heart...or Jesus in my heart. A way of being that is good and kind.
ReplyDeleteLove your nature sketches!!!
I see a lot of Michelle in you in your photo this time!
Hey Serena! I love that little red Buddha. That's the kind I like too. I have one from, Thailand, I think. Hard to remember where I get things anymore. We also have a chubby, happy Budhha that my hubby got from India when he lived there years ago. My youngest son chose Buddha when his 8th grade class was given the task of writing about a "light bearer". Unfortunately, he didn't find his life so interesting. :/ Your sketch is fantastic. Wow! That leaf just pops off the page and the pine needles are perfect. So nice to see you in pictures. Wishing you a great week. Hugs, Tammy
ReplyDeleteI love your banner on top of your page Serena! Lovely SP's too! I wish you and your family a beautiful, peaceful and healthy 2012...all my love, Maria
ReplyDeleteLove your nature sketches! Gosh, I never thought you'd be insecure about your looks, I think you are beautiful inside and out, Serena! Hope you have a wonderful 2012 and it brings healing and happiness for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHi, Serena! Great to be back in blogland after two weeks away for Christmas in the USA, and catch up with you here now. :o) As a Buddhist practitioner, I LOVE your red Buddha... and your lovely kitchen too! Wishing you & yours all the very best in 2012--HEALTH, PEACE, LOVE & JOY! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteAren't insecurities the most silly and frustrating things? You're beautiful, and your sketch and self-portrait are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
Happy New Year Serena!
ReplyDeleteGood for you attempting the 52 weeks of you photos. Nice photo.
ReplyDeleteI love that Buddha. Never have I seen a red one..
and of course your drawings are great. I might really buckle down and do better this year...or rather try harder. I'm such a messy sketcher..ha.
Hi Serena,
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I love Buddha in red. The piece looks great in the kitchen.I hope he brings you much joy and serenity.
Your photo is lovely and good luck with the 52 weeks:)
You've christened your Koi set with a terrific sketch, well done:))
HNY!
Fran
I love your red Buddha. He looks wonderful in your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you are continuing the 52 portraits project. Your first picture is beautiful.
When I looked at your sketch I initally thought your leaf was real and that you had placed it on the paper. Then I realized it was something you had drawn. You are incredibly talented and continue to inspire me. Have a wonderful week and Happy New Year.
I love your kitchen and the Buddha looks so nice there. Happy New Year! I look forward to another year of blogging with you.
ReplyDeletehappy new year! :D the red Buddha does look pretty good in your kitchen :)
ReplyDeletehopefully you get a to finish the self portraits this year and your health gets better
Hi Serena,
ReplyDeleteLove that red Buddha! It looks perfect in your kitchen. Your photo is very lovely and the sketch awesome!
Hugs
Sounds like you have lots of exciting art projects going on. The 52 weeks of Me project sounds interesting. I do some self portraits just to practice portraits until I get good enough to try them for others. Love the Koi watercolor set and love your picture!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful how inspirational nature can be. Burgess Park is packed full of it, no doubt:)
ReplyDeleteLovely drawings!
xx
Happy new Year Serena! You are such a beautiful woman and should have no questions about that! Just look back at all your portraits and you will understand that.
ReplyDeleteYour art is amazing! How realistic and colorful your drawings are! Love your style.
Wishing you a very wonderful 2012.
I have to agree, the Buddha does look nice in the kitchen especially beside the plant. Its face gives that serene look while its red color keeps it alive.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've actually been thinking of visiting a Buddhist temple, to learn more about meditating and their philosophy. I've been curious about it lately.
Oh and good luck on the 52 Weeks of Me!
What beautiful 'beginnings'. Love that red buddha..and your sketch is wonderful! Happy 2012!
ReplyDeleteLove the sketches! And I admire you for doing the self portrait challenge. That's one of my insecurities, too, so I'm not sure I could do it. Yea for you :)
ReplyDeleteCalm is always good, and if he called out to you then he belongs! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year; hope it's a good one! :)
Wow that looks great. I love the colours that you used in painting the leaves. I greatly enjoy using watercolour.
ReplyDeleteI am feauring some drawings that I've done in my sketchbook and I've even got some watercolours too.
Come check them out.
Cao
As always I absolutely love your artwork. It's different and refreshing all the time. And believe it or not, I have that EXACT same Buddha in my kitchen as well...RED !!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds.....
Happy Merry 2012 to you - love the pics!
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYour leaves are great, so detailed too.
Interesting looking Bamboo.
Hi Serena!
ReplyDeleteMy son was telling me about your son's blog...and now they are following one another!
That is terrific!
Just had to swing on over here to tell you how happy that made me!
Ciao Bella
I'm off to catch up with your posts.
CREATIVE CARMELINA
Serena, Happy New Year!I'm starting a journal for 2012 it has a red Buddha on it. Auspicious color as well as very calming.
ReplyDeleteI like the format of your blog and your sketches are awesome as always. You are very photogenic...
and serene...like your name. Glad you are continuing the self portraits.
love you
gma
Great photos and love all the red in the kitchen... as to the watercolour sketches... love them... you make the simplest things look so great and you always shoot them in interesting ways... creative to the core...xx
ReplyDeleteSerena, your colour sketches are beautiful (and so is your photo!!) Love the red Buddha in your kitchen. Yup, it belongs there. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, girl! Looking forward to another year of visiting your beautiful work!!
xoxo
Your art has such great colors in it so I am not surprised your kitchen is the same! The reds and greens just pop in there! Wishing you a great year of portrait taking!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!~ I love the Buddha. He's awesome. Good for you doing the SP again. :)
ReplyDelete