Creative Pursuits

Over the Christmas break, I chanced upon this book "Inner Excavation: Explore Yourself Through Photography, Poetry and Mixed Media" by Liz Lamoreaux. Together with another book, "How to Be An Explorer of the World" by Keri Smith, I have been working on several exercises to give my creative muscles a workout.

Work-in-progress assemblage

I started this assemblage months ago and I am stuck. I salvaged this paper from our office, it has great texture and I thought I could use it for a project. I have been experimenting with textures using other found objects- woven abaca placemats I no longer use, tags from clothes, packaging materials...

Details of the salvaged paper

I am using string to hold them together

What are your hopes and dreams for 2011?

The beginning of a new year offers us opportunities to set new goals or renew our commitment to goals we have not fully accomplished the past year. It's a good practice to reflect on the lessons we learned from the past and apply them on our strategies for the new year.

So, what are your hopes and dreams for the new year 2011?

In my case, I have several. The following 3 are worth sharing with you all.

1. I want to grow artistically so I will commit to a regular studio time, 3 hours a week on my art projects.

A page on my art journal

2.  I volunteer for a statewide organization called Infant Development Association (IDA, please visit us at www.idaofcal.org) and there is a lot to be done to meet the challenges of diminished resources facing many non-profit organizations. I want to devote extra time to assist our organization.

At a training event sponsored by IDA River Valley Chapter

3. I want to be more prudent with my active travel expenses this year by keeping my running events in northern California. 

Napa Valley Marathon on March 6, 2011 is my next full marathon event