Today’s #creativejumpstart21 artist was Martice Smith. Martice talked about her art practice, which is strongly influenced by her surroundings, and then showed how she develops gelli prints. I chose to use a variety of leaves from the garden to gelli print with, then worked back into some of them with various pens. I ended up with a nice stash I can use for collage.
Today’s #creativejumpstart21 artist was Marsha Valk, and we made an accordion fold book using gelli printing. Mine isn’t quite to script, but I had a lot of fun doing it. I used Dina Wakley and Reeves paints, Dina Wakley collage paper, and a lovely Golden gold paint.
This year is the 10th year of Nathalie Kalbach‘s Creative Jump Start – I’ve missed a year here and there, and am so excited to be participating in 2021. There’s a new video every day, from 45 amazing artists from around the globe. It’s a great way to kickstart my art practise for the year. It’s not too late if you want to join in, and there’s no pressure to work daily if you don’t have the time or energy.
Today’s video, from Nathalie, was about sign writing a word that will inspire you throughout the year. For me, this course is about reinforcing the habit of daily art, so practise sprang to mind. I didn’t make a sign as such, but did go for an aged look in refernece to a story she told in the video. I’m working in a 5.5×8.5 Dylusions journal and used mainly Dina Wakley Media paints and Stencil Girl stencils.
As I look back at 2020 I know we’ve never had another year like it, certainly in my lifetime. I won’t go into the Covid saga, other than to say we worked hard at staying safe, and will keep doing so.
It’s been a mixed bag for us – highs and lows included:
Tony’s brother Roger getting a job here and moving in with us while he house hunts.
I travelled to a Hokitika a couple of times to visit Penny and Alan, and enjoyed teaching at Left Bank Art Gallery in Greymouth.
Tony’s health deteriorated a lot, and he was in Base Hospital a few times. He decided he shouldn’t drive anymore so sold his car and got a nifty red mobility scooter. It’s been quite an adjustment but we’re getting there.
I got a total knee replacement in early November and the joint is a miracle. The tendons etc around it are still painful but gradually getting better. Of course, being me, I got addicted to the pain relief. My other knee should be done by April/May.
My job continues to bring me joy, as does my art. Losing Faith, then Inky, was hard for both of us, but Goldie remains as loud as ever. Whatever life throws at us, family and friends support us, and love remains. Here’s to 2021 and all it will bring.
Every year I join #olw – One Little Word with Ali Edwards. In 2020 my word was trust – you can read about why I chose it here. Did it work for me? For most areas of my life, yes. There are a couple of areas where I found it quite hard to trust, and that’s something I will continue to work on. Generally, I have a lot of trust that, if I am clear in my intentions, the universe will provide for me.
What’s my word for 2021? LIMIT. I was looking back at some old #olw lists on Ali’s site and saw this comment — “every limit is a beginning as well as an ending” and it was a total AHA! moment. As someone with a well-documented addictive personality, I see limits as a bad thing, stopping me from having what I want. It would be healthy for me to turn that around and see limits as being good for me; as the beginning of good choices and looking after myself.
For instance, following my recent knee replacement I’ve been struggling with addiction to codeine yet again. It would have been easier if I’d set a limit on the amount of codeine I took, right from day one, instead of having to wean myself off it again with all the accompanying withdrawal issues. Would I have managed to stick to a limit? Who knows – but it might have made me more aware and careful.
In 2021 I will try to set a healthy and achievable upper or lower limit on my:
V intake
food choices
exercise
use of pain medications, especially when I get my 2ndnew knee
time on social media
doom-scrolling Covid-19 *rolls eyes*
time spent on work when I’m not actually at work!
I’m sure there’s a lot more areas of my life where putting a limit will be helpful, even if it’s just to raise my awareness. As always, I’ve made an index card piece of art of my word, and it’ll live on the wall above my desk at work as a constant reminder.
Cath Sheard Art 