fitting it all in

 

It seems as if I am really being challenged by my 2012 word.  - Fitting - Trying, to fit in all the new things that 2012 holds for me and my family.  It feels as if the year started with such a rushed pace.  Working during the week and then on weekends,  quite an adjustment for a former lazy people.  I have to admit that I'm not one of those people that thrives on pressure and lots of work.  I prefer lots of empty time and space, with a little work thrown in now and again. 

I have managed to negotiate two afternoons off a week, at my 'day' job. But - have been promoted, so have much more responsibility, which is okay because I was bored last year. Did I just say bored?  I enjoy my job and feel that it is making a positive contribution to the poor and marginalized rural women in SA.  The organisation I work for trains mostly rural women to start savings and credit groups, which then gives them access to small loans. As the groups generate their own capital, repayment of loans is almost 100%.  It is a far better model than the old micro-finance models and we hear wonderful stories almost everyday of how the groups are changing peoples lives in the rural areas.

Our book shop is doing well, and it is fun to be running our own business again.  I have been working hard at night making pictures and magnets from my art.  I was thinking last night that I must share how I make my pics and magnets, as it is a really nice way to sell your art and you get to keep the originals.

Fitting it all in - mmm and I was rather hoping the word would be more about spending time contemplating the philosophical concepts of fitting into my soul and life, not how to fit in 100 things to do in one day.  Just shows you why it's not a good idea to have too many preconceived ideas -  about anything!

Balance

As I look ahead and plan for 2012 I realize that my goals, dreams, hopes and aspirations are broken down into two distinct categories – those that are tangible, and then those that are intangible.

On the one hand, I want to continue developing a successful creative art business, where I can share my art and hopefully convey a positive message through it.  I have lots of plans for things I want to make using my art, and I have several ideas for how I can market my art, and different venues where I can sell my products. I want to continue learning about art, to stretch and grow.  I realize the importance of practice and commitment to art, the business of getting down and doing.

Then there are those intangible aspirations. Things that I feel, things that I still don’t quite have the words to describe.  I have a sense of needing to create more space in my life with less in it.  I need to slow down and be content to sit – just to sit.

The two seem so far apart, so different but I have a feeling that one can not be without the other, that both aspects are needed to create a balance. I suppose it is about ‘fitting’ the two together.

I would like to share this extract from a beautiful poem written by a blind lady, Virginia Adair, who had her first poetry book ‘Ants on Melon’ published at the age of eighty-three.

My lines hold fast

And do not break

With drawing life from the cold sea

I do this for my hunger’s sake.

fitting

she found that things fitted much better

I've been a bit slow in getting my thoughts together, this new year rushed upon me before I was ready.  I always like to do a past year review and then like to plan ahead for the coming year.

 

I’ve finally picked my word for 2012, something that I’ve never done before.  It felt like a good place to start, it sums up how I was beginning to feel at the end of 2011 and gives me hope for 2012.

My word is ‘FITTING’ – a strange word to pick – I suppose. 

This is how it came to me:

As the noise of New Year celebrations woke me from sleep I saw a tower and in front of the tower I saw a completed jigsaw puzzle.  I didn’t immediately get the word; I had to let the image swim around in my head for awhile.  After I completed this painting the word slowly emerged, and seemed to resonant with how I have been feeling.  I find that I’m fitting into my skin better, that I’m more content and feel a better fit with my life – for the first time ever.  So it seems to be the perfect fit – pardon the pun.

Katie loves to sneak into my studio and paint when I'm out - it makes me happy

 

it's 2012

Happy New Year  - I hope that 2012 is a wonderful year for everyone.  There is something so magical about saying 2012, do you feel it or is it just me?

Finally - here is Huddy's Books

Colin is a teacher and the kids have always called him Mr Huddy - so it was an easy choice for the name.  

Can you spy Mr Huddy in the corner with the top hat on?

The shop is situated at a place called 'Piggly Wiggly' and this is the coffee shop / farm stall at the 'village'

Our neighbors - Sterling Wrought Iron - he makes the most amazing stuff - I will definitely post lots of pictures of this artists work.

Some more shops - it's all very new

The putt putt course - in the making

At the end of 2011 I was quiet frazzled with all the preparations for opening our book shop.  We opened the shop on the 16th of December, which is the Day of Reconciliation in SA.  It has been a huge success, with people loving our collection of books. The setting is amazing, so beautiful and peaceful.  We went on a frantic buying spree last week preparing to stock up before we have to return to work.

The fun part - packing out all the books and seeing all the treasures we have collected over the last few months

looking very bare

Colin trying to work out where it put the hooks on the book shelves - not fun

I grabbed a little corner for my art and I couldn't believe the response. (but can you believe it I didn't take any photos!)  I sold out! I was nervous about putting my art out for sale, you know all that, what will people think, is it good enough to be displayed and so on.  I'm really encourage and have many plans for the year ahead to develop my art into a small business.  Time of course is a bit of a problem, but I'm hoping that I can cut down my hours at work to spend more time on my art 'business'and to help Colin with the book shop.  It looks like it's going to a good (great) year.