What's in a Name?

Fission - Detail
20" x 80"

I was once asked how I come up with the titles for my pieces. Do I have a title in mind when I begin working or does it comes after the piece is completed?  I had to laugh at this question because coming up with titles for my work is probably the most excruciating exercise for me.  For most works I have a very difficult time coming up with a title. I dislike works that have long names – pretty much a sentence for a title. To me that leaves no room for the viewer’s interpretation or for the viewer to make their own story about the piece.  I like to use titles that are only one or two words.  In thinking about the pieces I have done there are very few that have been titled prior to the piece being started.  I think I don’t have a title in mind before starting because inevitably the work has a different idea of what it wants to be called! Sometimes the piece whispers its name during the making process.  That helps direct my endeavors in completing the work.  Sometimes the work has been finished for quite a while – it seems that I have to ponder about what the piece says to me before I can give it a name or title.  I like to use words that are not normally heard in casual conversations such as Frangible or Ephemeral. I also like words that may have more than one meaning or meanings that are rather obscure - not one that is normally associated with the word.  The viewer has to go outside of their comfort zone to understand the relationship between the word and the work.

What are you?

I was recently in a group that started off by introducing “self” and telling a bit about “self”. As we went around the circle people would say “I’m (name) and I’m an artist”. They would then proceed to tell everyone a little about themselves. We continued with these introductions until a woman stated “I’m (name) and I’m NOT an artist, I AM a crafter”. She then proceeded to tell us what she “crafted”. I thought about this for a great while. I was wondering why the artists didn’t tell about their art. I wondered what exactly makes a person an “artist”? An artist does not necessarily have to go to school like a Doctor or Lawyer. They don’t have to get a degree in anything in order to call themselves an artist. They don’t even have to go through any training. So when does an artist “know” she/he is an artist? And when does she/he know that its time to call themselves an artist? Is there a time period of working one must accomplish? Is there a measure of sales in order to be an artist? Are an artist and a crafter that different? I know we have what we call “fine crafts” such as woodturning, pottery and metal works where the maker has worked at his/her specialty until it is perfected. In my mind that person is an artist – what they create is not only a fine craft that has been accomplished by hours of practice but also a piece of art to be appreciated by viewers. They call themselves Craftsmen. Then the flip side – a person calling themselves an artist may take the newest fad in mixed media, slap it on a board and say it is “Art”. They call themselves Artists. So how does the person creating know what they are? Where does craft end and art begin?

ONE Cause ONE Wednesday ONE hundred collages

One Cause – The Fight Against Cancer.

One Wednesday – February 16, 2011.

One Hundred Collages – Created for this event by an all-star lineup of artists:

Natalya Aikens

Pamela Allen

Laura Ann Beehler

Liz Berg

Pokey Bolton

Laura Cater-Woods

Jette Clover

Jane Davila

Jamie Fingal

Gloria Hansen

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Lyric Kinard

Jeanelle McCall

Linda Teddlie Minton

Karen Stiehl Osborn

BJ Parady

Judy Perez

Cynthia St. Charles

Virginia A. Spiegel

The goal – Raise $8,000 for the American Cancer Society in just one day

More details and a preview of artwork here.

Fiberart For A Cause has already donated over $205,000 to the American Cancer Society through the generosity of fiber artists and their patrons.

Logo by Jeanelle McCall.

Time Flies

When I was growing up it seemed like an eternity from September until December.  The years seemed to go on and on  - Time was endless.  As I've added years to my life it seems that the years have become months, the months weeks and the days hours.  There doesen't seem to b enough time to get that one thing done.  I blink and the opportunity is gone - what happened to the time?  I know that I am busy, I'm not wasting time (for the most part) and yet it seems to be consumed at it much faster rate.  I know it was the middle of September yesterday and here it is already a week into November!  I seem to have lost the entire month of October. I can't afford to loose November as well!

I have such a hard time giving myself permission to work – to create –  to play - outside of the studio – outside of my chosen medium, fiber.  I have felt so guilty working in the yard and not dyeing fabrics.  Yet I am creating. I am designing.  I am making.  I love the feel of the dirt in my hands, of preparing the soil. I love the challenge of selecting just the right plants.  I have worked hard the last few weeks moving dirt, moving rocks, planting.  From designing, planning, arranging rock and dirt I have created an environment for me to be at rest in - A sanctuary -  A place to be inspired in. I should not feel guilty but should rejoice in the accomplishments and the progress that has been made. While there is still much to do I can now sit under the shade of the wisteria and stitch – at peace with myself and in a peaceful environment.

Whooooosh.......

I can’t believe that August just zipped by! I can’t believe that it is so far into September already! I remember when time seemed to move at a snails pace, nothing came fast and when you wanted time to fly it seemed to stand still. The good news is that I met all my finish lines. (I like that term – finish line….it does not sound nearly as ominous as deadline!) I have heard back from two that were calls to enter and I did get juried into both of them. One of the exhibits I entered I won’t hear from until the middle of October – talk about agony! I really HATE to wait on finding out if I made the cut or not. The last finish line was to get a donation piece done for Fiber Artists of San Antonio’s Runway show raffle. That was a mouth full! (Pictured above)

The one thing I will say about having these short working times is that I had little or no time to actually think about the work. I just did. Some I was very happy with, some not so much but they were still good pieces. I also noticed that not only did I finish the required work for the entries, I also made "spin off" work. It was a very productive few weeks. Regardless of the outcome of the work I absolutely loved being so absorbed in the making. Life is just better when you are creating. I know my whole attitude is one that is much kinder and gentler. (I am sure my other half appreciated that as well.) In spite of some long hours I never really felt tired – I felt good and at peace with myself and the world.

This past week has been one of catching up – I haven’t been able to be at the print table nor have I been able to get the studio cleaned up. I have not felt as good – I’m anxious, ill at ease – tired! You would think it would be just the opposite! Lesson learned – more time at the print table/in the studio is MUCH better for your well being!

I'M HERE.......i think

I feel like I have dropped from the face of the earth! BUT this is a good thing. I have been immersed in studio work as well as dealing with people working on the pool/yard It's finally shaping up!). I am a bit amused (no seriously….amused...HA...) that life comes at you all at once. You go weeks and weeks with no “finish lines”, no projects, no commitments and then all of the sudden everything happens at once! Now with four finish lines looming just around the corner – I’m talking days here – the pool/yard work at a critical point – like having to make decisions THIS instant (no they can’t wait until Tuesday or an hour for that matter!) – 11 parrots to care for (they are like children and need daily attention) - a spouse needing me…you know acknowledging that he exists!… plus keeping up with the company administration duties there has been little down time compose anything worth reading! I am however making ART!  YEAH!!

I will try to do better in the coming weeks – well after Tuesday! I can report that one entry has been successfully sent off – and early at that! Time will tell if the other three get completed in time. Then I can unbury my studio….I know I have flat surfaces in there....somewhere.... it will be an archeological dig!

Also, don’t forget about the drawing for a piece of my art work! Go to my website www.laurabeehler.com and sign up for the mailing list by August 31, 2010 and you are in!

Look Out.......

I “retired” several years ago from an 8 – 5 job so that I could devote more time to making. I loved the freedom of not having to answer to someone other than myself. At that time I had not really thought about the direction I wanted to go.  I hadn't develped a plan - no routine - no schedule -  no deadlines. Because there was no plan, no routine, no schedule it was very easy to say "sure, I can do that". I am very quick to “help” when needed at the expense of my own needs and work.  I have come to realize that by doing for others I have not been fair or honest with myself. Now I’m finding that it is very difficult to put my needs before others. My dreams have been put on the back burner because I have allowed others to push them there. The retiring from “work” didn’t happen, I just transferred “work” to a different setting, many times longer hours and of course at a much less pay rate! I am in the process of taking my time back but it is very difficult. It is hard to retrain those around me that have become dependent on me to be there when called. It is also very difficult for me to say “no”. BUT look out world the answer is - No, I can’t right now. Stand back and watch out for what I CAN!

Change

I follow Hugh Macleod at http://gapingvoid.com.  Hugh is a very interesting person.  His "working" job was as an advertiser and in his "spare" time he drew cartoons on the back of business cards.  He has recently dropped out of the 8 - 5 manic world in favor of a slower life in Alpine Texas.  However I don't believe that it is much slower - he just has control over what he does and when he does it! From here he runs an amazing empire of public speaking, "geek" parties, cartooning, creating art and in general doing what he loves.  I get a daily cartoon from him and in this mornings "cartoon of the day" was the above.  After my last post I felt it was very appropriate to re-post here.   If you get a moment check out his website - he has some amazing one-liners as well as great ideas for creativity!

Letting Go

I have a very difficult time letting go. This past month I have spent a great deal of time reflecting and letting go. I am fiercely loyal to my friends and I also become very attached to material things – why I’m not sure. Some things I do understand - like my mother’s fabric stash. That is one of the things I managed to go through this past month. Although it was very difficult for me to let her wonderful fabrics go, I know that I would not open the boxes and use the yardage inside. I sent 14 boxes out into the world – some I know went to a woman’s shelter so they could learn to sew, some to crafters and some to others that have the need to collect.

 

Another letting go was a friendship that was not what I thought it was. After being let down on numerous occasions this past year I realized that this was not a friend as I would define a friend. Perhaps the other party’s definition is different than mine but I have to live with me! After giving and giving then being left out in the cold I realized that it was time to let go. I need to move on. This has possibly been one of the hardest things for me to understand and I still tear up when I think about it. I wanted to believe the best in this relationship but I realize now that it was a one way street.

The last major hurdle for me this past month is giving up the old and accepting the new. We are closing down a water garden that was 18’ across and 24’ long. It was full of life –wonderful water lilies, Koi, Goldfish, Turtles, and of course snakes. It attracted many birds and small animals to its banks. This was the site of our wedding – lots of sentimental attachment to the area. I know that it is for the best that we taken it down but I also know that it is difficult to see something so beautiful be destroyed!

I know that in order to move forward you have to let go – it is just hard to do that.

Does it Matter?

I am often asked “How long did it take you to make that?” There are so many answers to that question – how long in terms of technical skill – how long in terms of artistic development – how long in terms of inspiration – how long in terms of interpretation and on and on – so is “how long” an important part of the definition of “art”. Is that a question that should even be asked when viewing a work? Is a work a piece of art if it is put together in 15 minutes? Should there even be a thought given to the “time” a work takes to complete? Is a work that takes six months “better” art than a work that takes 6 days? So I would think the better question to ask is what does the work say? Does the work speak to you? Does it send a message to viewers? Is the message one that you wanted to convey to the viewer? Do you “get it”?


Then there is the “is it good” question. As I look at art works today I am often puzzled at why this work is considered “fine art” or “a work of art” and to me it looks as if my grand daughters made it. The colors are awful, the composition is awful, there seem to be no skills used in the production of this piece of “fine art”! So how does a work become considered “art”? Does the infamous “they” make the rules as to what is acceptable “art”? In looking at the journey art has taken over the years I’m thinking the rules change with society’s ideas, thoughts and views. What is considered a “major work of art” in today’s times most likely would have seen the maker or artist run out of town on a rail 50 or 60 or 100 years ago. How do we as artists make this happen? Are the artists the ones that are actually providing the viewers the works to mould what is “a work of art” or are the viewers molding the artists?

So the bottom line for me is – it doesn’t matter! I “make” because I like what I’m doing. I “make” because I have something inside I want to express. There are times that need is only to say – hey look at these colors – aren’t they pretty! Sometimes that need is to express something deeper - regret, loss, anger. It may not be so “pretty”. If a viewer is touched by my work then they get it. I have been successful in conveying my message.

Lisa Kerpoe and I have curated  Fiber: A Closer Look. This is an invitational exhibit of Fiber Artists in and around San Antonio, Texas.  The works represent a range of artforms including art quilts, wearable and functional art, 3 dimensional sculpted fiber, artcloth, basketry and weaving. Fourteen artists are featured, including Laura Ann Beehler, Jane Bishop, Laurie Brainerd, Jane Dunnewold, Martha K. Grant, Caryl Gaubatz, Leslie Tucker Jenison, Lisa Kerpoe, Lisa Mittler, Susie Monday, Susan Oaks, Linda Rael, Letitia Rogers and Linda Sura. Most works in the exhibition are new or have not been shown in this area.

The exhibit will be held at the San Antonio Visual Artists' (SAVA) gallery from May 6-29, 2010. Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, May 6. The reception is from 6 to 8 pm and the gallery is located at the RiverCenter Mall, Suite 205 (near the Commerce Street entrance).  When you pull up the "map" of the mall the SAVA gallery is located in section "G" - street level. SAVA is to the right just inside the entrance door off of Commerce. The entrance door is in between Foga de la Chao Restaurant and the Parking Garage.


http://www.shoprivercenter.com/main/rivercenter.pdf

Please show your support for Fiber Art in San Antonio and attend the opening. You will NOT be dissapointed!

Processing

I was recently talking to a dear artist friend and lamenting about what a slug I have been. I just haven't had the desire, energy or motivation to create and was feeling really down about it. It seemed to me that the more I "didn't" the more guilt came tumbling down on my shoulders. That weight added more distress to my inability to create. I don't think it was an artists block as there have been tons of ideas running through my head. I was just in a slump - I didn't want to move. I would have been perfectly content sleeping all day and most likely would have if our birds, cats and dog didn't need attention - not to mention doing for the other half. (He doesn't do well on a diet of fruit and vegetables - he needs that "man" food! Not to mention clean clothes....I digress) During the course of our conversation I told her I just had been doing nothing - she paused and then said, No, Laura you are working - you are doing a most important part of being an artist...... you are processing. I giggled at her statement and thought - yes, that's a good way to explain my lack of ambition lately - I'm not being a slug - I'm processing! I didn't think about it too much more until a few days later when my "adopted" mom said - honey I just don't know how you manage to keep everything in your head - you think and think and think and then it all comes out on fabric! In the instant of that statement I realized my dear artist friend was right - I just hadn't looked at my method of creating through another's eyes. I have been working, I've been processing ideas, designs, materials, what is to come next. And when the time is right, when all has percolated and I have an understanding it will all spill out for the world to see. I have a much better outlook after that realization.  Perhaps we all need to give ourselves permission to process and not be so hard on our "not doing".


The photo really doesn't have anything to do with my post - I just like to see pictures in people's posts! This piece, Grove, is a recent small work that is now available at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in Round Top, TX.

Tumbleweeds

Tumbleweeds

Do you ever get that feeling that you are a tumble-weed being blown about the open plains? There doesn’t seem to be anything to hold on to, everything just slips by you as you are blown about. You are at the mercy of the wind with no anchor, nothing to ground you, no safe place. These past few weeks I seem to be that tumble-weed being blown about here and there. I have to stop and grab onto my anchor, my safe place. Art is my anchor… my ground… my safe place. I can count on the fabric being there - the dyes transforming my unrest into calm. There
are no expectations, only acceptance that I will transform it into something magical. I feel safe.

Accepted

I really don't care how many times you find that you have been juried into, made the cut, passed the mustard - you ALWAYS have that wonderful feeling of  YES.......  So with a dreary day today I opened my e-mail to find that I had been juried into Art Cloth Network.  This is a group from all over the United States that is dedicated to exploring and promoting art cloth.  What a wonderful ray of sunshine today!  I am very excited to be joining so many wonderful artists in this group.  I think that Texas, especially south Texas, may have a majority of members!  Susie Monday, Lisa Kerpoe, Peggy Sexton, Leslie Jenison,  Mandi Ballard and myself all come from Austin/Houston/San Antonio area.  My first meeting will be sometime in September in California.  I am excited to begin this new journey with so many wonderful artists!

Spring Meadow

Spring Meadow

6" x 18"

Silk Broadcloth, Hand Embroidery

This time of year is very exciting for me. The landscape is beginning to turn green again - a fresh clean green. The days are warming up. It is nice to go outside and soak up the sun's warmth. This is a time for new, fresh ideas. A time for growth.


I am finding that I have enjoyed keeping my hands busy with smaller items. Bits and pieces from larger works or from experiments done to find the right color combinations or textures for the next piece. I have an incredibly hard time tossing anything out - I just know it will be the "PURPECT" piece for the next project - needless to say my purpect pieces are stacking up! Time to use them up and give them new life - new growth - and while these bits and pieces are being rejuvenated I too am being given new life. Fresh clean ideas emerging for a fantastic summer crop. This is a very exciting time to be alive!

Spring Meadow - Detail

Happy Valentines Day

Hold all that you believe in close to your heart.  Love yourself first then spread that love out to infect everyone and everything you touch.  A simple act, a small spoken word, a smile can send your love and touch others you may not know.  Make everyday a Valentines Day - the world would be such a better place!

Listening to the Voice

ORNIS - 31” x 22”

Hand made paper, interface, rug canvas, tea bag paper, textile paint, feather (Red Golden Pheasant) hand stitching using grasses for thread

This work came from my desire to showcase the magnificent beauty of the ornamental pheasants we raise. I have been reluctant to use feather's in my work as I felt it too realistic or too gimmicky. My love for these magnificent creatures and my desire to find a way to honor their beauty without being trite has been a driving force in finding a way to do that. This particular feather is from a Red Golden Pheasant - one of the most breath taking birds I have ever seen. I can't begin to describe the colors on these birds - I think they have every color in the rainbow on them. And not dull colors - bright vivid color - well I digress -

The work developed simply by playing with different textures and materials. I wanted to focus on the beauty of the solitary feather, to show it's importance. I am sure there is more to why this was important to me but I'm not one to go delving into the inner workings of my brain - I just want to enjoy the process and enjoy the outcome. I have been timid in actually finishing this piece as I felt I was betraying my desire to make Art Cloth - what I was really betraying was my artistic voice. I am slowly understanding that when there is a statement that needs to be made by this voice I should not try and control what medium is used to do so. There is no way that this piece could have ever developed into the finished work if I had refused that artistic voice it's right to complete it's statement the way it needed to. This piece was really freeing as I finally am understanding that my art is not limited to one medium. I am an artist and should not be concerned about using more than one method to express my voice. I am growing day by day, becoming stronger in my convictions. This is not to say that I will not continue to work primarily with fabric but it does mean that I will not be shy about using anything I find to express my voice. I was thrilled when I found that Ornis had sold! That alone validates that I made the right decision to complete it and show it.

ART CLOTH EXTRAVAGANZA

Exciting news: Art Cloth Studios will contribute a bag for "Tote Tuesday"!

The members of Art Cloth Studios are putting together a wonderful "Art Cloth Extravaganza" for Tote Tuesday, the newest fundraising event for Fiberart For A Cause.

Here are just a few of the items that will be included:

A beautiful hand-made tote by artist Laura Ann Beehler, created from her own art cloth

Complex Cloth dvd by Jane Dunnewold

"Paper & Metal Leaf Lamination", a book by Claire Benn, Jane Dunnewold, and Leslie Morgan
Art Cloth created by ACS members Laura Ann Beehler, Linda Charleton, Jane Dunnewold, Martha Grant, Leslie Tucker Jenison, and Lisa Kerpoe

Prepared for Dyeing fabric

Textile Paint

Procion MX Dye

Thermofax screens & frames & squeegee

Plus, if "Art Cloth Extravaganza" receives the highest bid for the day, we will donate up to $1000 worth of members' artwork!

Stay tuned for photos and more info about when this fabulous tote will be offered!

The Art in Fiber

Pease join us at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery in gorgeous Round Top, Texas, for the opening reception of "The Art In Fiber", a juried exhibition of 24 Texas fiber artists (juror Liz Axford). Opening reception is Friday, February 5th, from 5-9 pm.

I was thrilled to see my art work  on the postcard as well as to find that it has also been used on the cover of  "American Landscapes".  This little book is comprised of those artists juried into the show interpretation of the "American Landscape".  The book was created by Gerald and Debbie Tobola, owners of The Copper Shade Tree Gallery, specifically for this show.  Copies are available for purchase on the gallery website:  http://www.coppershadetree.com/

Frustrations

I absolutly love technology - I just wish it loved me as much!  Seems that I have spent the last couple of weeks getting my "work" computer working - and no, it is still not right!  So a pause in my posts - I don't have access to my pictures nor my snippets of writings that eventually end up on the blog.  Hopefully next week the computer gods will smile down and take pity! 

I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I know that the world will go even though I am limping along - I just hope that I don't let it get to far ahead of me!  Then looking on the bright side - I have more art time!  Maybe I'll get pictures of all that fabric that I would like to share with the world so I will be ready when my "work" computer is!

Talk to you soon.

Stay True

I have been wrestling with the question of why I feel it necessary to do more than needed on a piece of work. I guess I should clarify that statement.... I have been working on a piece that is hand stitched. I could possibly stitch on this the rest of my life and not be "done". I was thinking out loud about the necessity to do MORE stitching or if the piece was "done". The answer from others hearing my out loud "thinking" were that I should stop as I would never be able to charge or price the piece based on the amount of time I had spent on it - in other words the amount of work done on this piece would command a very large price tag to justify the amount of time or to even make 50 cents an hour! I began wondering if the piece could be called finished even though there are areas that could use more stitching. My fingers said - YES stop stitching! I put the piece down but it has been haunting me. My heart, my soul, my intuition say that I should add more to the areas that I feel are lacking. Thus the question of do I stay true to ME and do a bit more on the piece or do I listen to others and stop now. My artist will not be happy until the stitching that I envisioned when I started the piece is completed. I may compromise and not do as much stitching but I will do more in the areas that I feel need it. I realize that the dollar amount may never justify the time spent but the artistic vision needs to be complete. I MUST do more on this one in order to be happy with myself. Sometimes it isn't about the dollars but it IS about being true to oneself. Yes, it will take a bit more time. Yes, I can never monetarily recover the time spent. BUT I will be happy with the end results and THAT is what matters most.

Random Thoughts

No pictures this evening - just some rambling thoughts......I've been thinking a lot about "plenty" about "space" about "time" ---- I'm thinking that I need to sort through fabrics that have been hand dyed and set them free - they are holding places in my mind that should be open for new thoughts and creativity ----  perhaps in the next few weeks I'll put up a few on the blog and my store to see if there might be another home for them - someone who can see the possibilities in these works - -----  In that same vein if some fabrics find homes with others that would free up more space - both in the studio and in the mind - more space for creating - and in the long run it would give me more time---- that seems rather odd as how can setting fabric free give me more time!  Well I won't be thinking about what I need to do with these pieces - I have more time to create the things that I have been thinking about.....  I'm finding that I need to let go of some of these so that I can think clearer about the paths I need to be following - clear the mind of thinking that I have to use these up before I can move forward.......  yes, I am sure that I need to set these free -----  so stay tuned for some fabrics......  now I need to go to bed!

The Art In Fiber

I was very excited to be juried into The Art in Fiber at the Copper Shade Tree and then even more so when I received the postcard for the show.  My Landscape piece was used to develop the artwork for the postcard!  Then today I received notice that the book American Landscape is available for pre-order.  Again my artwork was used for the cover!    I have not seen the book in person but it contains the work of all 24 artists that were juried into the show.  The "landscape" pieces are all the same size 12"x 12"x 1 1/2".   This was such warming news on a day that is dark and gloomy!

The show itself runs from February 5th through March 7th 2010. Opening reception is February 5, 2010 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Copper Shade Tree, 206 E. Mill St., Round Top, TX 78954

Mind Junk

This past week has been filled with mind "junk". I really dislike all the clutter that tends to fill my mind - sorting things that need to get done, mapping a plan for the coming weeks/months, trying to figure out how to fit it all on the calendar-realizing that this month is gone!-, keeping up with the "honey do's" (or not). You know all the "junk" that takes up valuable thinking space that should be used for working on art!  I am finalizing the last two pieces for The Art in Fiber show and am having a great deal of difficulty clearing my mind so that I can focus on the work. This particular piece seems to say it all - a rambling line going through the endless chambers - lots of side "sparks" flying off it - I'm thinking this must be a self portrait of what is going on in my head right now. Thoughts weaving in and out, bits of random sentences here and there - and of course the rambling line - going aimlessly through all the areas of clutter - Perhaps the last stitch will release the clutter and I can once again be more focused on the making of art.

The Art in Fiber
February 5th - March 7th, 2010
Copper Shade Tree Gallery
Round Top, TX

I have been sorting through piles of fabric contemplating new beginnings - trying to decide what to let go of and what to keep. There are so many possibilities to deliberate on – so many paths I could take – which would be the best for me to travel down? I think this time of year we all sort through piles – what do we keep - what do we let go of? It will be fun to make those decisions – some challenging – some no-brainers – some we will look at in a few months and ask ourselves “what were we thinking”! Hopefully all my possibilities through the coming year will be as easy as sorting through the piles of fabrics. I just have to remember to keep it all in perspective and enjoy the journey and look forward to what is around the corner.

New Year

A New Year......what a fantastic opportunity for new beginnings. Untarnished and eagerly awaiting our footprints. What paths will we take in this coming year. What footprints will we leave behind? Will you be making new year's resolutions, writing down your goals, preparing a course for the upcoming year? What new journeys will you travel on? Will you explore a new idea or technique or make improvements on what you are already doing? Will you strive to expand your mind, your skills or will you sit back and glide through the upcoming year.


This time is always so exciting for me - it is as if I have a new piece of fabric laid out in front of me just waiting for me to make my marks, to add color, texture, patterns. I think my life is very similar to the fabrics on my print table. It is up to me to decide what marks I want my life to make, what paths I choose to follow. It is up to me to decide how I will allow my actions or the actions of others to mark my life. Take a few moments and think about the path you will be taking this new year and the footprints you want to leave for others to see. It is an exciting time and I am anxious to begin exploring those new paths in front of me! I hope you will enjoy the journey as well.