Hello there!

 

I hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving as we venture further into this new year. As I take a moment to reflect on January, I find myself in a space of honesty and openness about the ups and downs of running a creative business.

 

Initially, I had grand plans to take the first month of the year off from my art biz, dedicating time to rejuvenating my creativity and tackling some long-awaited house projects. However, as life often does, it had other plans for me. Despite my plans to relax, the demands of looming art fair deadlines and tax obligations pulled me back into the whirlwind of productivity. So much for the art of doing nothing, right?

 

To add a bit of chaotic charm to the mix, it seems I've unintentionally acquired a new studio mate – an abandoned rabbit who has decided to call the space beneath my studio home (see pic at the bottom of this email). Quite the unexpected guest, but I'm embracing it as a quirky start to the year! Do not worry, I have a lot of support getting this rabbit set up with a happy, healthy forever home.

 

Now, let's dive into some exciting updates on what's been brewing and what's on the horizon:

 

As we move forward with February, I'm setting my sights on finding moments of rest and tapping into that elusive painting flow state in preparation for my April art show. It's time to recharge and reconnect with my creative energy, ensuring that I'm bringing my best to each endeavor. In this newsletter, I am sharing a little bit about how I reset my plans and vision for a new year (or new job, month, any sort of fresh start really!). Enjoy!

As we step into the new year, I want to share a perspective shift that's been really impactful for me: setting intentions instead of resolutions.

Resolutions have a way of making us feel like we're always falling short. They often focus on what we lack, which can be discouraging when we don't meet them. But intentions are different. They're about choosing a word or theme that reflects what we want to bring into our lives. I believe they are related to our “Purpose”, if you are about that.

 

For me, it's been game-changing to have a purpose and pick a word like "expansion" or "gratitude" for a period of time. I let that word guide my actions and decisions throughout the time of growth (in my case, I use the western calendar year). It's like having a compass to keep me on track, even when things get busy or tough.

 

Setting intentions also gives us the flexibility to adapt our goals as the year unfolds. Instead of feeling stuck with one or two big rigid goals for your life, we can adjust our personal and career plans to align with our intentions. We can then set S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals within these umbrellas of intentions. I find this to be a more fluid and forgiving approach that allows for growth and self-discovery along the way.

 

So, as we kick off February, I encourage you to think about what intention you want to reach for. Choose a word that speaks to you and let it be your North Star as you navigate the months ahead. Trust me, it can make all the difference.

 

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, embracing the unpredictability and celebrating the moments of magic along the way. Here's to a month filled with inspiration, creativity, and perhaps a few unexpected animal visitors. I looked it up and the rabbit symbolizes intuition, luck, and transformation. They are our guides helping us navigate our spiritual journeys and connection with our inner wisdom. Bunny energy is perfect for my word, my intention this calendar year: Expansion. 🐇🐇🐇