Final "Harvest" color postcard and coaching thoughts…

Here is one of the Harvest color postcards in its final form. They are all a little bit different in color and hue, but substantively similar. I am glad that this postcard project is coming to a close because while I am pretty good at keeping focusing on ONE item, when I need to do several of the same thing, not so much. I attribute it to a sort of carpal tunnel of the creative spirit… the repetition makes me feel constricted, and it really is a painful process for me. I did, however, suggest extending the postcard exchange project into 2008, with one slight change… instead of creating multiples of one postcard for a whole group of people, we will now be only making one each, and will be alternating to whom/from whom the cards will be routed on a monthly basis, depending upon each month’s participants. That will take some of the pressure off and make the whole process a bit more enjoyable, I hope, for all concerned.

I conducted my second full coaching session with my practice client (see Lynda’s whimsical writings here), who is actually a co-trainee in my class. The coaching sessions are in-earnest, though, and I was really excited to see that we’d made some significant progress, though in the big scheme of things, I imagine Lynda is most likely the easiest client that I’ll ever work with, since she’s already very self-aware, quite motivated, and has a pretty good idea of where she wants to go. How couldn’t she? She’s been coached by Jill!

As part of our session follow-up, I wanted to integrate our recap into a more visual format, so I had fun sketching this drawing which I intend to incorporate into a larger “picture map.” I’ll be doing that as soon as I’m done gluing down all of the elements of my Harvest postcards, because I have no room to work. That’s one way to ensure that I move along with my projects, eh?

Merry, merry… the end of another year

Another year has flown by. They appear to go by more quickly these days. An illusionist’s trick, it seems, since the days edge along, sometimes even creep so slowly that I feel I can’t bear another minute of it, and yet the year has gone and here I am, again looking back, from this vantage point, at the dizzying speed at which it elapsed.

To usher me out in grand style, the year has thoughtfully given me something to carry with me into the new year… a head cold. I was beginning to feel it’s grip on my on Friday morning at the office, and was relieved that they let us out earlier so that I could go home and rest up. I’ve been drinking lots of fluids and also a concoction of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) drops stirred into orange juice… and garlic toast and hot herbal teas with the juice of a whole lemon and a big dollop of honey mixed in. I’m happy to announce that I’m on an upswing. And… Puffs brand tissues scented with Vicks mentholatum is da bomb!

Christmas was once again generous. Gabriel got a Guitar Hero 3 game from the Grands, while Steve gave me a lovely (oh how I coveted this necklace!) Tiffany lapis lazuli “bean” necklace. I’m embarrassed to admit that it is appropriately named a “choker” as it fits around my neck but only just, so I’ll either need to go on a diet and lose some of my neck’s girth, or have an extension added… more likely the latter. Steve went out on a limb and purchased a couple of bottles of scent for me… something that he hasn’t done… maybe ever? As most women, I am rather particular about perfumes, and since I don’t wear one daily, it’s pretty hard to figure out what my favorite brand is (assuming you are paying attention… and since this is not something Steve normally pays attention to, I was warmed by the effort made). Gabriel also got a very cool BMX bicycle, and many other goodies. Steve got a pair of new eyes, having had a lasik procedure done on the 21st, but had a few things under the tree to open as well… a nice set of headphones for this iPhone and/or iPod, and an iTunes gift card.

We were able to partake of our customary family holiday dinner together this year. Steve’s parents, brother Brian and sister-in-law Sheri joined us for our usual roast beast (well, TURkey, if I must be specific), with all the fixin’s. I was baking up a storm all the way to Christmas Day morning, which delayed putting the bird into the oven and hence, dinner. I was disappointed in how my baked goods turned out, for the most part, except for the Chewy Bars, which is a Family Recipe and was delish. The breads were either over baked (and hence, DRY) or underbaked (and hence, MOIST but not in a good way). I’ll have to try these again; this oven is difficult to guage as the heat fluctuates a fair a mount, and I’m guessing that even the location of the rack greatly affects the outcome. Love gas ovens, but they certainly are trickier than the electric kind.

Feeling better this afternoon, after a warm shower which cleared my head, I began work on my (overdue) “harvest colors” postcards for the color postcard swap that I have been hosting for the last year. I’ve had my challenges with staying on the monthly plan, but I still end up sending them out, albeit tardy. Not everyone has kept to the program, though, as several people have dropped off altogether and not sent their cards at all… which I’m sure vexes those who are tenacious and punctual. In any case, above is my batch of harvest colors in the making.

I wonder what good and wonderful things this next year will hold? I’ve long ago given up on “new year’s resolutions” but today I think I’ll send out some intentions into the universe, and see what transpires:

• I wish to do my best, at all times, regardless of the endeavor, taking into account that my best will change from day-to-day
• Take small steps to better every moment that I walk upon this earth
• Be gentle, kind and loving with myself and others
• Do little things each day that make my soul sing
• Trust that all will work out exactly as it was meant to, and surrender the outcome

Happy New Year, One And All!

Mellow and yellow…

I’ve finally finished my yellow postcards. A month late, but they’re done. Now it’s time to move on to the blues, which I’ve already started on, but haven’t finished.

            
(Click to see enlarged view in separate window)

My favorite card is the last one; the one that looks like a tattooed nude. It started off as a chair, but it’s shape was asking for some transmorphification. Most of these are a combination of many media: watercolor, collage, pigment inks and embossing power, markers, and transparencies.

I ended up using the hooded raincoat girl more than the other one… and the raincoat ended up looking more cloak-like but it fit into the mandala concept well. I flip them over and then address them randomly, so I hope whoever gets each one will be happy with what they get.

Red "color" postcards – work-in-progress

All kinds of media on illustration board… (work-in-progress)

I’ve been going through the “birthing” process of this piece… it starts out as an idea, then a search ensues for reference images and “ephemera”, then I begin drawing, coloring, pasting, layering… until it’s done. As you can see, it’s far from done, but it’s on its way… to somewhere… though not yet the post office… and since the next one is due out on Monday or Tuesday, I deserve to be chastised (so spank me, baby). We’ll see how much of the next one I can get done between now and then. *sigh*