Thursday, July 15, 2010

Goals and other things

Hello! My mind has been racing today. . so many thoughts.

First of all, I keep thinking about a dream I had. I was in a 2nd grade class, but it was like a college class. It was only an hour, but I was with 2nd graders. (I think the idea of the class was to help me be a better reading teacher. What??) Even weirder, one of my closest friends (who is a 2nd grade teacher) was teaching my class. So strange.

Last night at church, our Pastor asked a question: "What are your goals? What are your goals for one year from now, 5 years from now, and 10 years from now? And what are you doing to get to those goals?" The question really stumped me. His point was in Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish. . ." He said the Hebrew word translated to mean 'vision' also meant dreams and goals. It really got me thinking. What are my goals?? Do I have any? He went on to say that people who don't have goals or dreams or something to strive for aside from getting up, going to work, earning money, and spending said money, were often sad and struggled much more. That really got me, too. Lately, this summer, I've found myself very sad. I fluctuate between being happy and content to being completely down and feeling lost and alone. This is fairly normal for me, but the rate at which I'm changing emotions is rather alarming!!

Anyway, so moving on. . .What are my goals? Hmm. . Let's see:

Within a year:
start and finish the Sketchbook Project
Create 3-4 more portraits for friends
Create several more paintings
Get Pregnant
Sell my artwork and cards on Etsy
Start building websites to bring in extra money
Start saving more money and managing my money better

Within 5 years:
Have a baby
Work at home (websites or art)

Within 10 years:
Have two children
Have extra money and a cushion in the bank account

Wow. . I guess I actually do have some goals. More goals than I thought. Hmm . .I'm feeling much better now!!!

Ok, well, today, the plan is to make French Macarons. However, the humidity is currently at 71%, so wish me luck!!! I also hope to paint and possibly finish the first part of a portrait I'm working on!

Have a great day!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Sketchbook Project 2011- Should I? Shouldn't I?

I came across this from a link on facebook.
The Sketchbook Project: 2011

It looks pretty awesome. You sign up for $25. They send you a moleskine sketchbook. You make sketches according to one of 20+ themes, and then you send it back. They get sketchbooks from all over the world. Then, all the completed sketchbooks go on tour. People all over the country get to look at your sketchbook. After the tour, the sketchbooks will stay in the Brooklyn Art Library where it will receive a barcode and be there for anyone to check out and explore! As the artist, you can even track your sketchbook to find out how many people are checking it out! How awesome!

Yes, it all sounds very cool, I admit, however, I do have some reservations. . .(this is me. . .I can't do anything without reservations! geez!) Just looking at the website and the few samples I could find, my artwork pales in comparison! My artwork looks more like a child's drawing than a thirty-something adult. On the other hand, finishing this would be great practice at improving my art. Hmm... My other reservation is will I get it done. I suppose if I don't, I'm not out much- just the money to sign up. Hmm. . Let's see. . reservations: check. . . convinced myself NOT to try: NOPE. I think I'll try it. I don't have much to lose!!!

Has anyone participated in this before? If so, let me know. I'd love to know about your experience!

Take care all!