2012 Word of the Year: Reflect

In my last post, I wrote a review of my 2011 word of the year.  I had a hard time deciding on the “right” word in 2011. This time, my word for the year came to me before 2011 ended. I sat down for a little meditation and poof, there it was. I literally saw it written in front of me.

And that word is….

Reflect

Reflect? Huh? Could this really be the correct word? Where did that even come from?

When I finished meditating I had to look up the word reflect in the dictionary because the only definitions that came to mind were something shiny that reflects, like a mirror, or to look back (in reflection).

Reflect: (verb)- to throw or bend back (light, for example) from a surface. to form an image of (an object); mirror. to manifest as a result of one’s actions.

There it was, the third statement in the definition:

To manifest as a result of one’s actions.

Oh yes, this seemed like a very good word.  A verb. A doing word. Now I understood why this word came to me.

I immediately pulled out an index card, wrote the word reflect on one side and the definition on the other side of the index card and put the card on my desk where I’ll see it every day. I want to make sure I see the word all the time.

The more I think about this word, the more I realize that it serves as a reminder that I need to take action in order to get things done. Writing down goals is all fine and dandy, but if I don’t act on those goals by taking the small steps or big leaps, the only thing I’m going to manifest is good ideas with nothing to show for it.

It also reminds me to get clear about what I want to do. That part about “manifesting as a result of one’s actions” is a little intimidating. The flip side of that could be “be careful what you ask for.” However, this word may help me get over some of my fears in tackling new projects.

Manifesting Begins

Much like last year at this time, an action I took late in 2011 manifested itself this week. Last month I submitted some pictures of my art for possible inclusion in a newsletter. This week, I received word that my Fire Spirit Messenger was the featured artwork in Jennifer Hofman’s Inspired Home Office newsletter. (The newsletter is only available to subscribers. However Jen’s site & blog are great so give it a visit and maybe you’ll sign up for her newsletter too.)

Fire Spirit Messenger, Amy A. Crawley

What a great way to start off the New Year!

Moving Forward

This month I’m focusing on the business side of being an artist. I’m taking an online web design class, I need to order business cards, and I’m creating a video for marketing my Polymer Clay Bootcamp 1 Workshop. I also have some ideas bouncing around in my head for future artwork. It is also time to look at those goals I put together in the last quarter, reflect on where I’m going, and start taking action.

What word did you choose to guide you though the year?

The Apprenticeship Project on Kickstarter

Friend and fellow artist, Susan Lomuto, has created a project on Kickstarter. Her project is the aptly titled “The Apprenticeship Project.”

The goal of this project is to raise $1,500.00 by November 28, 2011. The funds raised for this project will help Susan document what it means to be a working artist today by working as an apprentice to artists across the country.

Susan is no stranger to working as an artist apprentice. She did just that last fall when she traveled to Connecticut and Washington, D.C to work as an apprentice to a jewelry artist, a ceramic artist and a glass artist.

This time, however, Susan needs your assistance to make the Apprenticeship Project even bigger. Her initial apprenticeship experiences appeared as posts on her blog The Daily Art Muse. Now Susan’s goal is to capture this documentation in three books: one book on the life of an artist, one photo essay book, and one book on her life and what brought her to this project.

To hear about The Apprenticeship Project, you can listen to Susan describe it in her own words:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2038555215/the-apprenticeship-project/widget/video.html

Now isn’t this something you might consider supporting?

Still not sure?

Click on this link to read more about The Apprenticeship Project.  You can even ask questions. If you decide to make a donation, your credit card won’t be charged unless Susan reaches her goal of $1,500.00 by November 28, 2011. How cool is that?

You can donate as little as $5.00 or as much as $5,000.00. And you can choose a gift to receive based on the amount of your donation.

I wouldn’t blog about this if I didn’t believe in the project.

Full disclosure: I’m a backer of this project.

Monday Reflection: “No” Is A Word On Your Path

“No” is a word on your path to “Yes.”
Don’t give up too soon.
Not even if well-meaning parents, relatives,
friends, and colleagues
tell you to get “a real job.”
Your dreams are your real job.

-Joyce Spizer

Blog Anniversary Week 4: The Final Winner

At the beginning of this month I invited my readers to join me in celebrating my blog’s four year anniversary with weekly giveaways. Each week on Friday, I announced the giveaway items: books, jewelry, artwork. The response to these giveaways has been great and I am deeply touched by your participation.

Today we come to the final drawing for the last giveaway of the month: one of my Fortune Pyramids. And it only seemed appropriate that this final drawing take place with a larger pyramid.

The Dream Pyramid is made from blue pearl clay. Three hand carved words are featured on each side of the pyramid: Dream, Create, Self. This pyramid is 4″ all around and stands on three scrolling legs. It is part of my personal collection.

The names of the participants were written on paper, folded and poured into the Dream Pyramid

I shook the pyramid to mix up the names.

I reached in and pulled out one name.

And the winner of my silver and black Fortune Pyramid is…..

Jean Webb!!!!!

Congratulations Jean.

Thank you again to everyone who has participated in the giveaways this month. May you all have good fortune. And have an excellent Labor Day weekend.

Monday Reflection: Going Far

To see far is one thing,
going there is another.

-Constantin Brancusi

The End Times

“This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end.”
-The End by The Doors

So you’ve probably heard about this little “event” that is supposed to take place today; the end times, the beginning of the end, or the rapture. In fact, as I write this, calamity should be coursing its way around the globe, beginning in New Zealand at 6:00pm local time. I didn’t realize that God conducted His business by time zones.

At first I was both amused and annoyed at all the attention this has received. Amused at people’s humorous take on these predictions, such as the CDC’s Zombie Apocalypse blog post (which does include beneficial information on preparing for a natural disaster), the Post Rapture Looting page on Facebook (absurd but not something I condone; looting is looting and not funny), choosing your song for the end of the world, and the Rapture Prank, which advises leaving clothes strewn about on the sidewalk as if someone just went “poof.”

My annoyance came at all the attention this particular group has received. I was concerned that the media and social networking promotion of this alleged event only reinforced this group’s beliefs. Then I thought of other extreme groups like Jim Jones and the Jonestown Massacre and how I would hate to see anyone who supports this prediction of the end times kill themselves. (The Jonestown Massacre was not related to an end times prophecy. However, I do believe one must be concerned about how someone potentially reacts when they realize the prophecy did not manifest itself.)

Maybe, then, all the attention is a good thing in an odd sort of way.

I’m not passing judgement on anyone for their beliefs. That’s supposed to be reserved for the Big Guy/Gal or whatever you choose to believe in (or not.) However, I’ve read that those who believe in this prediction plan to sit in front of their televisions watching the destruction. Another believer asked “Would you continue business as usual?”

Well, I have no desire to watch the destruction of others. My take away from all of this is to live life to the fullest. Express your love and gratitude for all that is around you. To me, that is continuing “business as usual.” I don’t think any ethereal entity wants us sitting around thinking about the end. We’re human BEings. We live, we love, we struggle. When the end comes, it comes.

And if this is the beginning of the end and the end is due to arrive in October, I ask that it wait until after my birthday :-0

Art Studio Makeover: Before and After Part 1

The studio painting is done! Woo-hoo! I’m loving the color.

Now I’m dealing with the blank canvas equivalent. I call it empty studio syndrome. The new studio color is so nice and fresh that I don’t want to muck it up by hanging things on the wall and filling the studio with clutter.

I’ve been perusing Studio magazines, and the IKEA, Container Store, Home Improvements, and Solutions catalogs. I’m thinking about switching my regular work table for a work bench. My punch list has been written and I know I’ll be adding to it.

For now, I’ll share with you the nearly empty studio before and after pictures.

BEFORE

Rear Wall Studio Before New Paint

Studio Center Before

Studio Front Wall Before

AFTER

Studio Rear Wall After Paint

Studio Center After

Studio Front Wall After

I love how a fresh colorful coat of paint can transform a room. What do you think?

Looking for more art studio inspiration? Check out Libby Mill’s Studio Snapshot series. My studio was featured in this series in June, 2008

Monday Reflection: Fear & Treasure

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.

~Joseph Campbell

Monday Reflection: Promise Me

Promise me you’ll always remember:
you’re braver than you believe,
and stronger than you seem,
and smarter than you think.

~Christopher Robin (to Pooh)

Blog Hopping: Interesting Words from the Blogosphere

Here are some fun and thought provoking blog posts and news headlines that I’ve come across in recent weeks.

Reframing Questions about Technology and Our Humanity: This is a great interview with MIT professor Sherry Turkle and Krista Tippet from OnBeing. How do you relate to technology? Are you addicted to social media? What about your kids? You’ll find a link to the broadcast in this blog post.

And be sure to read Krista’s follow-up post on The Path to Integrating Technology into a Meaningful Life

Snoop Dogg as the Opening Act for Jesus: Now this was not in Dan Brown’s book “The DaVinci Code.”

The World’s Strangest Museum? This is NOT why I want to visit Iceland. Makes me wonder if people there have a little too much time on their hands. I also wondered if Lorena Bobbitt has visited. (Remember her?)

Kevin Spacey speaks out for the Arts:  Tuesday, April 5 was Arts Advocacy Day in Washington DC. Mr. Spacey visited Capitol Hill and gave a well received speech at the Kennedy Center in support of arts funding. Also check out his interview with Chris Matthews on Hardball.

Sarah Marie Lacy: Sarah is an online friend. In fact, we’re accountability partners. We send each other our weekly goals and check in at the end of the week to talk about how we’re doing. Sarah is a wonderful painter and this year she’s going to France to study at Studio Escalier. But traveling, studying and staying in France doesn’t come cheap. Check out Sarah’s story, her artwork and her fundraising efforts to cover the costs of this once in a lifetime experience.

Have an awesome weekend!