newish year, new chapter

A new year is upon us again, only 11 months left.  For the last couple of years, the dawn of this time of year couldn't come quicker because the new year is symbolic of a new start.  Time is absolutely telling and healing.  I knew this, but never more affirming than living through it.  Whether I am prepared or not, it always seems to fly by.  This time, this year, FINALLY, I am grateful that I no longer have to confront the same intense toxic emotions.  Of course,  it is too bad for incidental encounters as local establishments are to have such unfortunate staff.  But, that is beyond my control.

One of the most rewarding experiences this summer was the three weeks spent in one of my most favorite and beautiful countries, Italy.  More than 7000 images was not enough to capture the enormity and the most magical of places.  The sheer volume of pictures are overwhelming, even now the task of choosing a few representative photos are too daunting.  I have modest mini paintings in pastel, my first attempt ever at painting anything.  The first week of the trip was spent in a villa in Umbria, workshop with Linda Richichi, an amazing pastel artist, and photography with Mary Ann Glass.

dusk at the Villa

The pastel paintings were meant to be five minute quick sketches as they were done plein air, value studies for bigger paintings later if one should feel so inclined.  Except, I can't work fast and large scale is intimidating.  In my case, these were "multiple hour mini paintings".  All are 2.5" x 3.5", except the two bigger next to mini is 4" x 6".

view from Villa, this mini study is my favorite

top right was my first one at the Villa.  The other two are at a sunflower field close by
 (the gray blobs are supposed to be olive trees)

this photo is a better visual 

this was where we were situated for painting session

another view from Villa

more from the Villa, the bottom was the sky, mostly fudged,
but i'm sure at some point at dusk that evening, it was close

these are the photos to prove it

this one was just as the sun was setting

this was my only quick sketch of the Villa on the day of arrival

these two are at Borghese Gardens in Rome

these are in Menaggio on Lake Como

this was the inspirational view

one more

another

There are infinite images, some more of which may make it's way over for.  For now, this glimpse is enough.

these I purchased from the master, Linda Richichi
one can see why I hardly qualify as "student"

I approached this trip with an open mind and I wanted the opportunity to have real time away from my environment.  As for personal insight, I don't know that there will ever be "absolute clarity", as there is rarely anything so definitive, but I returned with the notion and the ability to feel that I can start a new chapter in my life.

There were a lot of knitting UFOs' for the holidays.  As always, I reprimand myself for not starting my crafty projects earlier.  But I managed to squeeze in a couple of enameled ornaments.  So, next year this year when I vow to start earlier, more may be made.

mitten

stocking, there were a whole lot personalized

"family tree" for my sisters

The tradition of making and decorating Christmas cookies prevails.  Of course, this year there was an enthusiastic recruit.

niece so proud of her decorated by self snowman

Gratitude, that is prominent on my mind.  I am grateful for the persistent family and friends, for the new friends,  stronger bonds, new experiences,  and for the personal growth.  Life is a collection of changes, and they are not always bad.  As long as I can validate with my own standards that this "change" has meaning to my sense of reality, then I can't go wrong.

amidst the interim

I will be the first to proclaim that I'm the least tech savvy person I know.  Whether it be to conveniently blame it on the absence of a computer due to viruses for some weeks (of which a friend was able to resolve in no time and I'm grateful for), or general laziness, lethargy due to hot weather...whatever the excuse, the writing hiatus is over, for now.  I only wish the same could transcend into "mental thoughts".  The only intermission from the daily trials was feeling like I had a "breakthrough moment".  It only but takes one trigger, one hesitation, one temptation, to negate progress.  I'm aware of my fragile resolve.

As for leisure time and general distractions, some enameling, some knitting , some jewelry making..
"Rainbow in Someone's Cloud- Maya Angelou" is a cloisonne enameling project started while taking classes at Liloveve.  I was able to finish firing at home with my recently acquired kiln.

one of final layers, drying on top of kiln before going in

piece through window, firing in kiln

fully fused and fired, cleaned, waiting to be set in a bezel and finished

Using the same enamel colors, this is a different version of the same idea.

set in silver bezel

back of the piece before it was set

Gifted pieces:

On the fiber side, Susan B. Anderson's Curly Snake was finished just in time for nephew's sixth birthday, my version is not curly.

snake in a knot

I also had the honor of test knitting Mao by Angela Tong.  A well written pattern for a super quick knit, don't be surprised if you end up with a litter of these.

my attempt to imitate her pictures

David Carradine said, "If you cannot be a poet, be the poem".  Quotes are my endorphins, they inspire, acknowledge, and assuage rough moments.  I had the idea to create Message Bubbles, some to wear, as an antidote when "sadness" creeps in.

stacked, may be worn as pendant

Akin my knitting, life is a WIP, all aspects, every moment...

new endeavors

No MLB, no PGA, no NBA, and what I'd grown fond of last year, no cycling for the upcoming Giro.  I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes I miss that familiar "background noise" of sports on TV.

There is still anger and sadness, not easy to forget with physical reminders often.  I know my anger and negativity reduces my own character and it probably paints an ugly portrait of myself.  If this shortcoming can alleviate the repugnant feelings, this "ugly label"  would be something I can live with.  Unfortunately, it does nothing more than entrap me in a vicious cycle of self-loathing for "this" emotional anger to have the power to change the person I am.

Despite it all, I'm trudging along.  I'm proud to have finally finished a first sweater for myself, Metro by Connie Chinchio.  It fulfills my tall order of liking it and actually have worn in public!  It helps that I can't stop petting the cashmere.

It is finally getting too warm to wear now, but it will be in wardrobe rotation come Autumn/Winter.

My new endeavors include glass bead making workshop at Hudson Beach Glass.   Since I was only able to take the workshop for one day this time, my focus was to practice making blossoms.  The beads have yet to be applied in a practical way.

The conflict in schedule was due to my enamel classes at Liloeve.  I'm really loving this medium because of the potential and infinite possibilities.  These are just test samples and techniques explored in class.

The two crafts are related in that enameling is nothing more than fusing powdered glass to metal.  These endeavors not only help in my growth of new skills, but at the same time it is "healing".  The schedule and commitment keeps me busy, distracted, and something to focus on.  I'm looking forward to exploring the media on my own!