12.30.2010

a creative odyssey

This post is my contribution to the Creative Odyssey Blog Hop. During December, over 40 bloggers will be sharing their creative dreams and goals for 2011 and today, along with The Personal Blog of Tracey Sawatzky and PeachHoneyLove, I am sharing mine.

For those new here, welcome! I'm Kristen, wife to a very supportive husband and mother of two energetic little boys ages 4 and 6. I work from home full-time as a graphic designer, teach drawing to elementary kids twice a week and spend the rest of my time at Creative Stash where I freelance small business graphics, design wedding invitations and create as a mixed media artist.  Life is bursting at the seams but, I love it, I really do.


This quote resonates with me as 2010 comes to a close.  It has been a wonderful year of creating, exploring, blogging and growing! Almost too good really, this quote helps me think that 2011 will, in fact, be better!

My Goals for 2011 ...

Keep an Open Mind
I love to learn and grow and change.  This year however, I struggled with whether I wanted to do one thing really well or whether I wanted to keep the creative path open. I know deep down that I want that path open. So this year, I want to work on be comfortable with the fact that I may never be "one great thing" and to stop beating myself up over it. Just do what feels right and you'll be fine, better then fine even.

Make More Art
Like many of us, I want to make the time to create more art for myself and with my children. An art journal to channel ideas and create without expectations will no doubt help me cultivate my style and my story. I also want to use my current mix of supplies and recycled items to create beautiful things. I want to expand upon my current product lines, market my graphic design services and create with canvas in new ways.

Stay Involved
Through joining an Etsy team, social media sites, the Creative Every Day challenge and The Meetup goal sharing group,  I have made wonderful friendships with many talented and passionate people.  I want to continue to connect and support this amazing creative community!


Overall Well Being
Well, an important issue for me to address is that I tend to work for the sake of working. My work is my passion and  I am most happiest when I'm making things, but there are times when I get swept up in working and I cannot concentrate on anything else and that has to change. I need to keep my life in balance. I must be present with my family, have more fun, enjoy the moment and ease up on worrying about my to do list. Taking care of my overall well being through creative fun, yoga, dance, eating and sleeping well will all help me achieve a calmer, happier existence. 

Cheers to a very Happy and Creative New Year!

7 comments:

Prim and Propah said...

Yay for connecting with the Creative community! AND for making more art! I totally plan to follow you this year. (not in a creepy way);-)

PS. My sisters LOVED their earrings!

The Neerings Family said...

I am totally with you on "overall well being". I feel like I finally made a good start this year on doing that, and saw how much everyone in the family benefits from it. But I know I need to do better. Thanks for reminding me. And how nice of you to share this!

Brandi Hussey said...

I love more art and overall well-being, but I especially love this line: "I want to work on be comfortable with the fact that I may never be "one great thing" and to stop beating myself up over it."

How beautiful is that?? I love, love, love it, and even though you didn't write it for me, it feels like I can absolutely relate. I'm going to try to give myself a break this year, too. Best of luck in 2011!

Angela Flicker said...

Yes, "overall well being" is also an area where I need to put some focus. It's so easy to get caught up in either all family and fun OR all work --it's so hard to balance the two.

Good luck to you in the new year; I know you'll do amazing ;)

Jess said...

Wonderful post... I see a lot of myself in your goals. Good luck in all your endeavors in the coming year.

M Dawson said...

Being happy in yourself means you will be happier in your art. It is so easy to get swept away by 'things' or 'activities'. A balance is what I think we can all aim for and hopefully achieve. We need to remember to be ourselves most of all don't we, then what we make comes out in our work.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for all your responses! Ahh a new year with new hopes and dreams - i love it! May this year hold magic for each of us :)