It is the new year! There's so much to consider as the year turns. The accomplishments and failures of the past, the birth and death of opportunity, choices not made and paths not taken.  Life and death and rebirth, one following the other in close succession.

I don't generally preach from my blog, but this verse has been on my mind all week:

2 Corinthians 5:17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This year I have seen a special loved one find renewal and redemption. There are others who still flounder. I hold them close to my heart for the new year.

At the beginning of 2012, I chose to explore new media and soon delved deeply into encaustic. I made a lot of messes, but have also learned a lot and think I've settled into this as "my" medium for a while.

I also deepened my involvement with The ARTree Community Arts Center, and now serve as the board Treasurer. In the new year a fellow board member and I will begin teaching children's art classes at our lovely new community library.  We are so excited for the possibilities!

This year, I want to continue to explore my artistic universe.

I think for me that means I need to make a lot of paintings, and spend much more time working in my studio. Too many days I stall and delay, and flitter and flutter, when if I would just settle down and work I'd see some breakthroughs.  Is 200 paintings too many to try for? I don't think so; I am working on 5 to 10 at any given time. So that's it. 200 paintings in 2013.  And at least one workshop....more if I can swing it. 

So that's my new year meditation, artistic friends. I wish the best for you in all you in all your journeys for 2013.