Planning Part Two...
It's all about attitude...right?
“Any new beginning is forged from the shards of the past, not from the abandonment of the past.”
CRAIG D. LOUNSBROUGH
dichotomy (noun): a difference between two completely opposite ideas or things
Is it just me? Christmas is approaching; the season of celebration, spending time with loved ones, going for long walks in the country, generally relaxing from work issues (if you can)… BUT, to reach this ‘nirvana’, I find myself constantly adding tasks to my to-do list - and that’t just the list for my art business! Don’t get me started on the Christmas present shopping list!!
That’s not to say that goals haven't been achieved, because they have:
Art & Yoga Soirée in collaboration with Ann’s Yoga Lounge - tick! Although we would have liked a few more people, (the freezing fog didn’t help), everyone who came appeared to enjoy themselves. Most had a go at the chair yoga, sampled the Prosecco and mince pies, and made lovely comments about my artwork. I even managed to sell some cards, and the raffle was a huge success! (Apologies, so busy chatting that I forgot to take photos….)
Ran a Charity Sale in aid of Maggie’s Centres, a UK based charity helping people diagnosed with cancer, as well as their loved ones - tick! Thanks to everyone’s support, I was able to donate £410 to the charity.
Launched a new collection of work on my website - ‘Marshlands’ - tick! I really enjoyed creating this body of work inspired by the landscape of the north Norfolk coastline; a place of big skies, shifting tides, marshes, inlets and creeks. I hope you love it too!
Filed my tax return - tick! Now, I know it’s not high finance, but I always get so stressed filling in the forms. Heaved a huge sigh of relief now that it’s done for another year.
And talking of finances, I’m delighted to report that I’ve passed my ‘good’ financial target for this calendar year - tick! A huge thank you to each and everyone of you who’s supported me. Your encouragement and support enables me to continue this artistic dream, and share it with you!
Succeeding, so far, in uploading one video/week to my YouTube channel - tick! I am celebrating this as I’m now able to monetise the channel, and, as the saying goes, ‘Every little helps’…
Planned/organised to record another artist interview - tick!
Started to mull over ideas and goals for next year - tick!
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can install in us.’ Hal Borland
Like lots of people I’ve experimented with setting myself New Year resolutions, or choosing a ‘word’ for the year. And, like lots of people, my resolutions/word has fallen by the wayside quicker than I can say ‘Jack Robinson’ - (whoever he was…?)
So, whilst dithering about how to go forward with new goals, new ideas, new beginnings, I was interested to read about the Japanese concept of ‘Shoshin’ - on Suzy Walker’s Substack Heart Leap. Rather than a set goal, or resolution, Shoshin is about attitude; being open and eager, and not harbouring preconceptions.
And, even though I will set some ‘goals’, e.g. financial ones, I think I will try this idea of Shoshin. To being more open and eager, to embrace new ideas, to say yes to things that previously would have had me running screaming to the hills…. To see where the ‘journey’ takes me. It’s all about having the right attitude…..isn’t it?
Talking of things Japanese… On Anna Brones Substack, she talked about their tradition of micro-seasons; how the Japanese divide the year into 72 different time frames more rooted in the cycles of nature. And even if having 72 different micro-seasons seems rather overwhelming, you can’t help but fall in love with some of the titles they give to these pockets of time: Frost Falls, Lesser Snow, Rainwater, Insects Awaken, Clear and Bright, Grains Rains and White Dew. How poetic and evocative are those names!?
I haven’t quite packed my brushes away for Christmas; I still keep popping into the studio and have a potter about. Keen to embrace the idea of being open to new ways of working, I’m continuing to play around with expressive washes, making these the focus of the work, rather than the mark making…
…reminding myself again and again, that I’m just experimenting, that I’m not aiming for ‘finished’ pieces as such - but, shhh, I’ll let you into a little secret; I’ve created three paintings in this style that I like and that I’m considering framing…
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.” Mary Oliver
And even though I’m planning 2024 - and there’s exciting news on the home studio front which I will tell you about soon - I’m remembering to pay attention to the moment, enjoying what has caught my eye:
Early morning full moons
Pink tinged clouds - before the rain sets in
Skeins of geese flying overhead
Opening the front door and hearing the cawing of a ‘murder’ of crows flying above
The first snowfall
The twinkly studio lights
That first, steaming cup of coffee
That eerie stillness when walking in the fog
“Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.” John O’Donohue
I hope you find some time to celebrate those quiet miracles in the mad dash towards Christmas…!
Until next time,
are you using salt water spray in the blue and white sprayer?
such a delightful post! I was in the middle of a completely different task when your email distracted me and I had to look at this since I missed it before.