Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

I've always been enamored of the Three Kings, also called the Three Wise Men or Magi.  Maybe it goes back to the illustrated bible that Mom would read to us, or kind role they played in The Little Drummer Boy.  Perhaps my fondness grew once I became a Ward, with a new family crest that has three crowns – significant since we have three children.  Melchoir, Caspar, and Balthazar, who brought gifts of gold, frankicense and myrrh.  They are magestic, and mysterious, and I love to explore the subject visually.  I don't have photos of my journal pages right now, but here are some digital compositions.

 

 

 

 

 

This marks the end of the holiday season and after today we will start taking down all the decorations and the tree.  Furniture can go back to its usual placement.  I will miss seeing all our favorite things we carefully unwrap and display, but will take care to safely pack so we can enjoy when the year winds down again.  Makes me sad that the neighborhood Christmas lights will start going dim.  I love the brightness it brings to the dark nights.  Here's to holding the light in our hearts all year.  And here's to having candy canes around – a terrific remedy for a nauseous tummy.  Stay well.

 

I've always been enamored of the Three Kings, also called the Three Wise Men or Magi.  Maybe it goes back to the illustrated bible that Mom would read to us, or kind role they played in The Little Drummer Boy.  Perhaps my fondness grew once I became a Ward, with a new family crest that has three crowns – significant since we have three children.  Melchoir, Caspar, and Balthazar, who brought gifts of gold, frankicense and myrrh.  They are magestic, and mysterious, and I love to explore the subject visually.  I don't have photos of my journal pages right now, but here are some digital compositions.

 

 

 

 

 

This marks the end of the holiday season and after today we will start taking down all the decorations and the tree.  Furniture can go back to its usual placement.  I will miss seeing all our favorite things we carefully unwrap and display, but will take care to safely pack so we can enjoy when the year winds down again.  Makes me sad that the neighborhood Christmas lights will start going dim.  I love the brightness it brings to the dark nights.  Here's to holding the light in our hearts all year.  And here's to having candy canes around – a terrific remedy for a nauseous tummy.  Stay well.

 

Gabriela at Stampington invited a number of artists to share their artful resolutions for 2015.  See the blog post at Somerset Place to read the thoughts of twenty-four participants HERE.

Here's what I wrote:

I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of the year.  My philosophy is that I'd much rather reflect on the past year and recognize all I have done.  I find that to be empowering and motivating.  Each January I have a ritual of making a Ta-Da list.  I start with the end of December and work my way back to the first of the year, making notes of everything I that I can remember doing during the year. It is easier to start with the most recent self-imposed assignments.  Eventually I recall a full list of achievements, missions, chores, and projects that leaves me feeling really good.  Sure, there are always things left on my To-Do list….there is always more to do, and ideas that are still in-process. However, when you move items from your To-Do list to your Ta-Da list you celebrate what you've completed – that's much more affirming than worrying about the tasks ahead, and the pledge to make changes with the turn of the calendar page.   Maybe you could start 2015 by patting yourself on the back for all the work you completed in 2014, from art projects to self-improvement, then carry forward the positive energy into the brand new year.  Make a Ta-Da list, because it's way more fun than a To-Do list!  

If you're interested, you can download and make your own ToDo/TaDa lists.

Download ToDo LIST 2014 300dpi   Download ToDo LIST 2015 300dpi

EDIT:  I've had some requests to offer the printable lists as jpgs rather than pdfs.  Here you go, click to enlarge.

 

 

.

 

Gabriela at Stampington invited a number of artists to share their artful resolutions for 2015.  See the blog post at Somerset Place to read the thoughts of twenty-four participants HERE.

Here's what I wrote:

I'm not one for making resolutions at the beginning of the year.  My philosophy is that I'd much rather reflect on the past year and recognize all I have done.  I find that to be empowering and motivating.  Each January I have a ritual of making a Ta-Da list.  I start with the end of December and work my way back to the first of the year, making notes of everything I that I can remember doing during the year. It is easier to start with the most recent self-imposed assignments.  Eventually I recall a full list of achievements, missions, chores, and projects that leaves me feeling really good.  Sure, there are always things left on my To-Do list….there is always more to do, and ideas that are still in-process. However, when you move items from your To-Do list to your Ta-Da list you celebrate what you've completed – that's much more affirming than worrying about the tasks ahead, and the pledge to make changes with the turn of the calendar page.   Maybe you could start 2015 by patting yourself on the back for all the work you completed in 2014, from art projects to self-improvement, then carry forward the positive energy into the brand new year.  Make a Ta-Da list, because it's way more fun than a To-Do list!  

If you're interested, you can download and make your own ToDo/TaDa lists.

Download ToDo LIST 2014 300dpi   Download ToDo LIST 2015 300dpi

EDIT:  I've had some requests to offer the printable lists as jpgs rather than pdfs.  Here you go, click to enlarge.

 

 

.