Happy new year (plus: I’m creating art again!)

“Creativity takes courage” Henri Matisse

Happy new year, friends!

I hope you’re having a wonderful start to 2018.

The past few weeks have been so crazy over here (shipping out lots of art before the holidays, celebrating the holidays, moving to a new house, lots of sickness) and so I didn’t carve out any time to reflect on the past year and create goals for the new year like I usually do.

To be honest, the complete blank slate I have right now has been refreshing. I don’t have a long list of goals or resolutions, I didn’t brainstorm a million things I want to change about myself or my life. Instead I’m sitting here in my new studio, which is still only half set up, and I’ve allowed myself to prioritize creating art again.

Since I haven’t worked on new art for a while (the holidays and our house move majorly got in the way), I signed up for an art class to kick me back into gear. The class started on Monday and I’m excited and nervous and hoping to just have fun with the assignments.

The goal of the first mini assignment was simply to help us relax and break free from any comfort zones.

The assignment: what’s in your bag?

I don’t ever draw objects like this and it’s fascinating how equally fun and challenging it was to do (I didn’t copy each object exactly, but close enough!). The teacher said part of the fun of this assignment is that what you carry around with you on a daily basis tells a story about you. My bag is huge and these objects are just a sample of its contents but I’m definitely looking at everything in a whole new light.

My favorite object from this sample is the glass heart. Many of the important people in my life have the same heart and I love that. If I’m feeling nervous or worried I just take out the heart, hold it, and feel love. It’s a good reminder that support is never far away when I need it.

What do you have in your bag? What do you think it says about you? I’d love to know!