Sunday, January 5, 2014

Looking Forward

This past year was not what I would consider a great one, or even a good one for that matter.  But instead of looking at all the things that didn't go my way, I would rather look at all the things for which I am grateful.

I am thankful that my sister was offered a job in Boise, giving my husband and I an excuse to move back now instead of later.  I am thankful to be back in Boise, where I get to experience four seasons, a 25+ mile greenbelt that runs along the river thru town, and a summer which is still hot, but not humid. I am thankful to be living in the same town as my sister, which I've not had in so many years.  She is literally just a mile from me now!  I am thankful for the trips that my husband and I made into Montana and northern Idaho this past year, which are both so incredibly beautiful!  And I am thankful for all of my online friends who happily welcomed me back!




I am feeling very good about 2014 and have high hopes that everything will start coming together and running smoothly again.  I want to focus again on my art.  I want to do larger paintings, real painting, not in my sketchbook.  I want to SELL my work.  I want to start an Urban Sketchers group (which I'm already working on) and keep up with my blog and my art friends online. And I want to buy a house.  That doesn't seem too unreasonable. I think that is all achievable.

I've attached maps for this post, since it seems appropriate with my looking at where I've been this year and mapping out the next year. The first one I did was Skull Island.  It is not based on any real place, just made a blob on the paper and went with it.  Liked the way it turned out so I did the other three.  The Idaho map was put on the first page of this sketchbook, since I had left it blank, and was a good way to mark a new beginning.
Best wishes to all of my readers for 2014!

19 comments:

  1. I love all the maps! Beautiful to look at. Your goals all sound achievable and I send all good wishes that the year ahead sees them fulfilled.

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    1. Thank you Patricia. Love how experimental you were in your latest post!

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  3. I love all kinds of maps but don't draw/paint them very often. Your maps have inspired me to give it a try. Thanks!

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    1. That is what got me to doing these...I saw someone's treasure map and loved how they aged the page. And it was something to do which didn't require too much effort. Thanks for your comment!

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  4. Happy New Year, Raena. Thank u for visiting my blog. Your work has charm, particularly, in people that I love. Please keep up wonderful work and hope you will make them come true. (*ah, right now, my computer is working -- software tangled. A computer shop fixed it.) Anyway, may 2014 will be a fantastic year for you. Best wishes, Sadami

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Sadami! Love your work!

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  5. I hope 2014 is a good year for you, nice to see you back!

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  6. You sound like you have a wonderful year ahead of you full of possibilities. Those map paintings are beautifully rendered as well. Wish you well!

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca. I sure hope to see the possibilities come to fruition.

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  7. Gorgeous maps! I just love them!
    Here's to 2014- it's gonna be a fantastic year.

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    1. Thanks, Pamo! Can't wait to see how you entertain us this year!

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  8. Great maps! May all of your wishes for 2014 be granted!

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    1. Thank you, Shirley! Wish the same for you! Enjoy those grandchildren! Love the books you've made on them!

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  9. I made a map several years ago of California where I wanted to live so very much(it's my family home place). Guess what? I finally got to add "I'm there" to the page this past year. Yes, I'd as your list is doable and it's so great to be able to live by family again. Enjoy your sister and your art. Let's see what you come up with for sale able art this year (I wouldn't mind pointers on anything you learn as a transition from a journal to a canvas or paper).

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    1. Thank you, Timaree! And how nice to be back in California! I'm so happy for you! I know that when I moved back to Texas, it was a November, I was so happy...until I was reminded why I disliked it so much when summer came around! Then I couldn't wait to get back to Idaho again!

      I don't know that I am one to give pointers, but we'll see how that goes!

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  10. It is lovely to have you back. Glad you can see the positive in 2013. May 2014 bring you everything you desire and more.

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