Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th

You'll have to read all the way to the bottom to find out why....

New Spring Class Schedule is Online
Enrollment is now open for Spring Session Child Art Classes. This is always a favorite as we study Animal & People Portraits for 10 weeks culminating in an acrylic self-portrait (plus lots of other fun projects!). Registration is for current students only until March 5th. If your child is not currently enrolled, I will put their name on a list and pull from that list first on March 5th.

Deadline is March 11. I've always been loose about deadlines in the past but I only have 1 week in between sessions this time and I need to order supplies before Winter Session ends. Deposit of 20% is required of ALL students to hold a spot.

Changes
Some may notice changes in my class scheduling and my art schedules this year. I am currently shifting a lot of my emphasis as I prepare to go back to school this coming fall to work on my Master's degree. I am shifting my art sales to be on-line and studio based instead of through shows.

As for my classes, at this time, I do plan to continue teaching while attending school in the fall. I am cutting back and altering my schedule (no more during the day classes) to prepare for and accommodate my own studies. Afterschool classes will continue as normal during Spring and I'll have to wait to closer to Fall to see what changes I will need to make. I do plan on teaching and I'm working out several scenarios to accommodate the greatest number and age span of kids.

Painting
Stress and indecision can wreak havoc on anyone's life and artistic inspiration is no exception. I take it as a good sign I'm on the right path that I am starting to get the itch to paint again. Duplicity is my first finished piece of 2009. This small collage is a reflection of the direction my art has taken over the past several months. I've toyed with combining painted images and collage elements for several years. Look for more to come! This painting is a 5" x 7" x 3/8" acrylic/collage on canvas board and priced at $35. (Note: 2/24..changed painting slightly, this is the updated version.)

Now...Why You Won't Find Me On-Line Until April 12th
It started in Sunday School about a week ago when the teacher was talking about the things that separate you from God...tv, internet, etc. My husband leaned over and whispered, "So you are going to give up the internet for Lent this year?" I quickly whispered back, "NO WAY!" I am a notorious e-mail checking, web browsing junkie. My "I need to check my e-mail real quick." always turns into 15 minutes to an hour. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Woot, Amazon..I'm on them every day...usually several times a day.

So I started thinking about his comment and decided not only was the internet keeping me from God, but also my family and other things I need or even just want to do. At first I decided I'd do it all cold-turkey..no e-mail..no internet..nothing. But, I'd have a few committees that meet by e-mail that would be pretty upset with me, not to mention all the parents like me who enroll and everything else via e-mail.

So, I'll check my e-mail (although I am going to try to limit how often during the day) but I'm uninstalling my browsers and will not be a part of the web for 46 days starting this Wednesday (yes..I know Lent in only 40 days..but you don't get to count Sundays).

I'll give a Renewal update then and, hopefully, I'll have lots to report with all the extra time I'm going to have!

Renewal Check-In - February

So it has been one month into 2009. Wow..can time go by any faster? I have spent one month in living my word of the year..Renewal. So how's it going? Here's a check-up:
Intellectual - I alluded to some changes in my initial blog and while I'm not quite ready to tell all (no jinxing allowed!) I can provide some update. On the 22nd, I took the GRE which is an examination used for admission to graduate school much like the SAT is used for undergraduate admissions. So a small cat is out of the bag as I am looking to possibly return to school this fall. More on that next month!

Artistically, I have done a big fat ZERO. I have a pet portrait commission to work on but as for any other creations, other priorities have taken over.

Teaching began again this month and I have a great group of students. I'm enjoying myself, especially with the removed pressure of obsessing over selling my artwork.

Physical - I opened myself up to a new experience...rock climbing..and promptly pulled a muscle in my shoulder. I'm not sure if the two are related but they happened the same weekend. I've taken it easy the past couple of weeks trying to recover but Weight Watchers is going well and I'm losing weight even without regular workouts. More camping this month but I'm going to go easy on activities!

Spiritual - My church attendance has improved although we are still struggling with times for Sunday School, Service, etc. It will work out over time. My "Bible in a Year" has been slow going so far though. At this rate, I'm doing 1 week = 1 month so I'll be "Bible in about 13 Years." I'm going to work on this in February! Anyone want to try this with me and give us some accountability?

Emotional - This area of my life has improved but not before my body began to suffer from stress. I'm trying to get a handle on both high blood pressure and IBS, both of which I'm sure are stress related. I'm currently reading Coach Yourself to Success : 101 Tips from a Personal Coach for Reaching Your Goals at Work and in Life by Talane Miedaner and it is phenomenal. My mom recommended it to me and it is affecting all areas of my life.

So do I feel Renewed so far? Actually, yes, I do! I'm currently trying to catch up some things around the house (can we say..clean sock drawer?) as well as push myself in new directions and I feel I am on the right path.

The painting is from the en plein air series from the Dallas Arboretum. Red Yucca is a 14" x 11" acrylic on canvas priced at $155.