One of my favorite motivational quotes comes from Neal Donald Walsh: "Yet here is a secret of all Masters: keep choosing the same thing....over and over until your will is made manifest in your reality." And when the going gets tough, which is sometimes the moment before reaching the finish line, I recite this encouragement in my mind..."just keep chosing the same thing". And whatever project or activity I'm struggling with seems to finish itself!I also recently came across a fun way to think of these goals. Artist Karen Winters refers to them as "the things I'm looking forward to in 2009"on her blog The Creative Journey. And since I began both my blog and a facebook page in 2008, I will celebrate the launching of these two activities and the coming year by posting a few of the things I'm looking forward to in 2009.
--sending out query letters to find an agent for my novel
--finishing the last few pages of a whooping crane coloring book project and zipping it off to my layout partner in this endeavor
--spending a week of watercolor practice with Ann K. Lindsay and art friends in New York
--visiting Cape May and enjoying nature in a few other new places
--spending more time painting watercolor landscapes and the birds I've photographed
--developing a notecard series (or two) of backyard birds
--spending more time in the outdoors, hiking, sketching, photographing, kayaking
--creating a handmade moleskin sketchbook and filling it with a year's observations, stories and sketches
--creating new ways to display and market my art!
Okay, that's enough for now. I noticed there is a lot of playing on my list. Welcome 2009!Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year with many things to look forward to!
Photo: Greater sandhill cranes flying to roost at the Hiwassee Island, Dayton, TN.
Art: "The Return", original watercolor by Vickie Henderson.
I wish you good fortune with all your thoughts for 2009!
ReplyDeleteMind if I tag along in your OUTDOOR
activities. Sadly, my Kayak has become a little too tight in the seating department over the years.
Thanks for the thoughts, I often become despondent.
Happy New Year my dear.
Happy New Year Vickie!
ReplyDeleteI love that painting, by the way. How are you promoting and marketing your art now?
That is an awesome list Vickie.
ReplyDeletei find it fascinating about your novel. Care to tell more? Is it mystery, romance, you know just bits but not giving it away.
I wasn't going to list goals because it never seems to end up that way for me. But now seeing your list I am reconsidering. I keep saying you have to speak it to the universe. And so I will.
Kudos for you for getting off to a wonderful start. I'm so glad we found each other. Happy New Year my friend.
What a wonderful list! Spending more time in nature is on mine. Wish I had your talent w/ the water colors!
ReplyDeleteBoth the photo and the watercolor are beautiful. Best of luck in your 2009 endeavours. I haven't found the right place yet to have the turkey vulture framed but I'll email a photo when it's done.
ReplyDeleteBoth are wonderful. Happy New Year and wishes of much happiness and success in 2009.
ReplyDeleteVickie: there's a blog you might want to check out if you don't already know it. She has just published her first novel and has excerpted plus talked about it on her blog: http://karenjasper.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteIdeas/inspiration maybe?
Happy New Year!
Yet Another Wonderful Sandhill Crane Watercolour.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Vickie!
ReplyDeleteI hope all those New Year Wishes come true for you!
Hi Vickie,
ReplyDeleteI just happened to be browsing some blog sites and saw yours. I am a nature lover, photographer and watercolorist not in any particular order. I love color when I paint and feel an instant connection to your work! Totally beautiful. I will be back to visit!
Happy New Year! Here's to creativity!
Thank you, everyone for your comments. I was out of town for a few days and borrowed a computer to publish comments, but without enough time to respond. So now trying to catch up.
ReplyDeleteArija, I don't know how my seating will be but look foward to giving it a whirl!
Monika, I have done very little marketing lately. In the past few years, I've exhibited at wildlife festivals, largely centered around whooping cranes, and my art is carried in several gift shops.
Thanks Toni! I use these lists to see where I've been and what I need to do next. If I've changed my mind, its okay. New perspective. I just cross the item out and add what's new.
The novel is a story about two women, a therapist and her patient, one trying to save her marriage, the other, struggling to sort out her relationship with a horse.
Thanks so much, Shelly!
Hey, Lynne. So glad we became acquainted. Can't wait to see your painting when its framed!
Thank you, Birdlady. Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks, Andrea. I will check this out soon.
Thank you, Bernie. Like your hare.
Hi Amila, good to see you again!
Welcome, butterfly woman. Thank you for your visit and comments!
Vickie, I like the quote. I love the photograph! An ambitious list, to be sure! I wish you well!
ReplyDeleteI love the painting. You do such fine work!! Happy New Year..
ReplyDelete