Friday 31 December 2010

New Year New Challenge


Part 1
Today, being the last in the year was perfect for the task I set myself this morning. Homework from a Coaching Circle I've joined was to write a letter dated this time next year detailing what a fab and successful 2011 it has been. It's a bit too long (and personal!) to share in its entirety here but I thought I'd stick a couple of relevant paragraphs in for posterity... Coming up after those is part 2 of this post outlining a new challenge site I found yesterday.

31st December 2011

Well, it looks like we’re going to finish off 2011 rather nicely; I’m settled rather comfily in an armchair by a roaring log fire in a country hotel. We thought we’d treat ourselves this New Year by allowing someone else to do the cooking. Some friends and I have got together for a special treat. The kids are outside playing in the snow and I’m sipping a warming mulled wine before we get dressed up for the festivities tonight.



I was going to write that I needed this break, but you know what I don’t. I deserve it yes, but need it? Not really. I might have just had the busiest year of my life, but it has been such fun that I’m not tired. In fact, if anything, I’m actually more fired up with energy than ever before.

A lot happened really fast so I’m not sure where to start in retelling it all to you. I think the speed of it all was down to the fact that I was so ready. I’d put the background research and work in for years but never done anything with it. I needed the final push to make it happen and that’s what 2011 was all about for me.


I finally got around to contacting my favourite art magazines with submissions of my work. It was no good just sitting around thinking, I had to ‘do’. I submitted work for Somerset Studio and my leap for joy when I got accepted almost hit the ceiling – and this on the back of my acceptance into Seth Apter’s Pulse book too. Best of all, I was featured in Artful Blogging – a four page spread! Imagine my delight! The exposure has been terrific and generated hundreds of new followers who of course get exposed to my art shop too! Off the back of this I’ve been contacted by a number of magazines and ezines to produce content for them. I’ve been churning out the writing and artwork non-stop since....


Ha! Would be nice eh? Well, that's my visually exercise done. My subconscious should be digesting this now and believing it has happened already... You may have noticed a distinct theme this week in my posting. I really am determined this year, I assure you, and the theory is that if I keep writing it down and going on about it, then it will definitely happen!

Part 2

Sometimes I just love to go on a blog hop to see where it might take me. I'll click on links on other blogs, then more links until I'm miles from where I started and probably circumnavigated the world a few times too.
Last night I found The Sketchbook Challenge by just such a journey. It begins tomorrow, is hosted by a delightful spread of artists (many of whose books grace my shelves) and will give a monthly prompt to get our creative juices going.

Each month the artist hosts will share their pages and participants can post to a Flickr group. It's all about the nitty gritty of ideas forming from the scribble through the the final pieces. Learn about everyone's unique creative process.

Best of all, it's free to join!

The image up top is one I haven't shared on here yet. I drew it on a card for a friend a couple of weeks ago. It's funny, it doesn't seem to write to post without sticking some art up!

12 comments:

  1. Glad you found the Sketchbook challange. We'll take this journey together. I love your new lady. Her eyes are beautiful.
    This time next year, uh? I hope some of that does come true for you. Good luck.
    Hugs and have a Happy New Year.

    Kelly

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  2. Your new lady has such mesmerizing eyes! She has very flirty pouty lips too, I love this drawing. And best wishes! For your wishes for next year this time to come true. Love, hugs, and Auld Lang Syne, etcetera :-D

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  3. I love your new lady and congratulations on having such great success this year. Wishing you the same success for 2011. Annette x

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  4. Hi Lisa, love this lady! Thank you for sharing the sketch book challenge link. I have signed up with Tam for the M3 course but money is a little tight right now so a 'freebie' project is just what I needed!

    Just also to say I'm glad we 'met' in blogland, you have inspired me, I have also made connections with other creative souls whom I may never have met had I not found your blog for that too I thank you.

    Have a great New Year and I hope that 2011 runs pretty much how you've written it!!!

    Ro xx

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  5. 2011 will be an awesome year for you Lisa--but you already know and believe this--that's all you need to make it happen!!

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  6. Yay Wonderful post Lisa..gorgeous art...she is awesome!!wishing you so much Joy and happiness in all your adventures ahead!!I am very happy for you..keep shining and creating! You are awesome!!
    I so cherish your beautiful art on my wall and am honored to have a piece of your special magic!!
    Thanks for your wonderful friendship and kindred spirit!!
    Hugs
    Victoria~

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  7. May all the good things you can dream of come true for you in 2011.

    Thanks for pointing out the sketchbook challenge to me. I'm ALMOST ready to jump in :-)

    Darla

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  8. It was great meeting you this year at IA. You inspire me a lot. Glad you have joined the sketchbook challenge as well. That, IA and other projects that come up should be awesome.
    Lucky me won IA challenge and it was your postcards. T'was a good year.
    8-)

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  9. Hi Lisa! I've heard of this kind of challenge before... It's really about positive thinking and making your mind 'believe' what you strive for. So good for you for taking it!

    Your lady looks stunning, I do like those piercing eyes! With your talent, I'm sure you'll go a long way in 2011.

    All the best of luck to you! ox

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  10. I love your lady too! I think she's how my secret inner self looks--confident, knowing, bold, sure, sassy, just plain there. Happy New Year to you!

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  11. What a wonderful idea that letter is!

    I really do think there's a lot in the "writing it down makes it more likely to happen" philosophy - possibly a combination of programming your subconcious, and knowing that people may well come back and ask you how you're getting on!

    I wish for you that you achieve all you want to this year Lisa, and more - I know you have the talent and determination to succeed in whatever way you choose! Here's to seeing you in Somerset Studio!

    PS I love your drawing - very soft and sensual!

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  12. ~lisa...she is quite the alluring little lady you have drawn...beautiful! i love the idea of a letter as to where you will be in the future...i have written ones as to where i was...something to reminisce about but to project where and what will come to be...kind of like putting things in stone...somewhat of a vision board...something to help encourage you to get there!!! i may just have to sit myself down and do the same...happy new year my dear friend...much love light and blessings be with you always~

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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