The Eve of the New Year

Hi!
For me, 2010 has been a year of many ups and downs. A memorable 'up' was having my first solo installation of my felt art (the nuno-felted flags that flew from the top of LillStreet Art Center in Chicago IL back in June). A memorable down (which I am still working on recovering from) was a number of health issues that popped up in Mid-September including a couple of trips to the E.R. for what turned out to be panic attacks though that was not officially diagnosed until a couple weeks later (took a while to rule out other things like problems with my heart or adrenal gland). Anxiety/Panic attacks are not something I would wish on anyone. At the time I thought there was something wrong with my lungs or that I was having a heart attack. Another 'up', I was in a number of art/craft shows this past year and scoped out a few more for possible entry next year. I have managed to keep up with my sketchbook/journal more often than not. I have also been experimenting with embroidering on felt quite a bit. Basically the first two quarters of the year were good, the third quarter was rough, and the final quarter has left me thoughtful. All in all it was not a bad year but I am hoping 2011 will be better (particularly health wise). I have a backlog of things I would like to blog about which I want to get to over the next couple weeks. One of my goals for 2011 is to try and blog once a week. For the most part over 2010 I managed to at least do one a month and sometimes more. But once a week is now my goal. Also a number of bloggers I read are choosing a word for the New Year. I have decided my word will be compose. I wish to be composed, calm and self-possessed. I also want to compose more experimental art work. I wish to compose a healthier, more joyful, and more artful life. So, yes, my word for 2011 is 'compose'. I will leave you with a few photos of the weird weather we have been having here over the last few weeks (which has been very up and down...lol).

The night of the first snow storm


After the second snow storm around Christmas


Over the course of today (We have had rain and thunderstorms going on since last night and now all that snow is almost gone...not to mention it was in the mid 50's in temp. both yesterday and today. Although, I understand we will be back to cold temps tomorrow and for the rest of next week)