By Shirley M. Carolan
December is my favorite month not because of Christmas and New Year’s, all the giving and receiving, parties, great food, and catching up on friends’ lives, but because it’s a great time of reflection and how my overall year turned out.
I enjoy looking back and seeing how all the events came about, assessing what went well, what did not, what needs changing, what relationships grew, which ones changed, what I learned, what I’m more grateful for, etc. Now, I understand why it’s said that “masterpieces take time!”
My life is far from being a masterpiece but going into my 75th year I feel I’ve at least put a few layers of paint on the canvas. As a result, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions any more because I find I’m not held accountable if I give up or change my mind about a resolution. Whereas setting a goal is much more meaningful. It gives some direction and meaning to my life. It gives me a challenge, a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and the opportunity to celebrate when the goal is completed, it gives me a sense of fulfillment, and joy that I can trust myself when I put pen to paper and commit to doing something.
It also means the journey isn’t over once a goal is completed. It means that I am ready to commit and continue on the journey of discovery… This year, I commit to having more fun in my life and stop worrying about finances, and/or jockeying for position to get clients to write for, or lucrative speaking engagements, or preparing and delivering motivational workshops.
I intend to do more oil painting, take pictures of nature with my new digital camera, and do more writing, articles, eBooks, blogs, etc. I’ve signed up for sketching classes through Mira Costa College and digital camera classes through Vista Adult Ed. What fun! Being a senior today is wonderful because there are so many classes out there to take whether it’s for a hobby, upgrading professional skills, or learning new work skills!
This year I learned that it’s OK to exhibit some of my oil paintings at an art gallery. At first, I dreaded letting go of my art work because it was like letting go of a baby. Today, I am at peace with letting go and joined the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (COAL) and exhibited some oil paintings there. I’ve also met some wonderful new friends and great artists that I can learn more from.
At Christmas, I indulged in another hobby, astronomy. The first Christmas gift I bought this year was a telescope. I so want to see Mars and the rings around Saturn again and this is the perfect time of year to do that. Back in the early 1980s I took an astronomy class at the College of San Mateo. It was the last science class I needed to get my AA degree and it was one of the most fascinating classes I’ve ever taken. It was a time when Carl Sagan had his popular series “Cosmos” on PBS television. We were also lucky the college had a huge telescope to view the universe.
Yes, I am looking forward to the New Year! Whether I make a lot of money, or not, is immaterial because I will be doing what I love, writing, oil painting, and viewing the heavens! And, you can’t put a price tag on that!
Happy New Year all!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist ● Speaker ● Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
CHRISTMAS 2007 AT OUR HOUSE!
by Shirley M. Carolan
It was a quiet but peaceful Christmas this year. The newly adopted traditions that I had so carefully put in place these last few years fell by the wayside, i.e., the Oceanside Harbor Annual Boat Parade (Holiday of Lights)and a different rendition of The Nutcracker! Some totally unexpected trauma entered my life instead. Little did I know it would bring some new perspectives, observations and gratefulness on my part.
My little Shih-Tzu, Krissy, had major surgery on her left eye, December 19th by gifted ophthalmologist Dr. W. A. (Dean) Vestre because of two ulcers. She came through it with flying colors and wears a “lampshade” to protect her little face. Prior to that we went through two weeks of different medications with her regular veterinarian. Finally, her vet suggested a second opinion by an ophthalmologist. The diagnosis and fees were staggering; to date $2,500.00.
Today, Krissy is recovering nicely and getting some of her old personality back. It’s a joy to hear her little bark, if you can call it a bark. She has taught me some valuable lessons: patience, humility, acceptance, love and gratefulness. What precious gifts to receive at this sacred time of year. And, you certainly can’t put a price tag on those!
As a result, I will no longer call her “selfish or demanding” when she wants or needs something. She has her boundaries and I need to honor them. She has given up her regular habits and independence to be cared for instead. She has been a real trooper and in her own little way has taught me some important life lessons!
This downtime gave me the perfect opportunity to assess how well my year went, what worked, what didn’t, what needed changing, and what goals I want to set for the New Year! All very heady and time consuming stuff. I will be addressing these important issues in a later blog.
Meanwhile, Christmas was quiet but blessed at our house this year!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist ● Speaker ● Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
It was a quiet but peaceful Christmas this year. The newly adopted traditions that I had so carefully put in place these last few years fell by the wayside, i.e., the Oceanside Harbor Annual Boat Parade (Holiday of Lights)and a different rendition of The Nutcracker! Some totally unexpected trauma entered my life instead. Little did I know it would bring some new perspectives, observations and gratefulness on my part.
My little Shih-Tzu, Krissy, had major surgery on her left eye, December 19th by gifted ophthalmologist Dr. W. A. (Dean) Vestre because of two ulcers. She came through it with flying colors and wears a “lampshade” to protect her little face. Prior to that we went through two weeks of different medications with her regular veterinarian. Finally, her vet suggested a second opinion by an ophthalmologist. The diagnosis and fees were staggering; to date $2,500.00.
Today, Krissy is recovering nicely and getting some of her old personality back. It’s a joy to hear her little bark, if you can call it a bark. She has taught me some valuable lessons: patience, humility, acceptance, love and gratefulness. What precious gifts to receive at this sacred time of year. And, you certainly can’t put a price tag on those!
As a result, I will no longer call her “selfish or demanding” when she wants or needs something. She has her boundaries and I need to honor them. She has given up her regular habits and independence to be cared for instead. She has been a real trooper and in her own little way has taught me some important life lessons!
This downtime gave me the perfect opportunity to assess how well my year went, what worked, what didn’t, what needed changing, and what goals I want to set for the New Year! All very heady and time consuming stuff. I will be addressing these important issues in a later blog.
Meanwhile, Christmas was quiet but blessed at our house this year!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist ● Speaker ● Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 13, 2007
CARLSBAD OCEANSIDE ART LEAGUE
By Shirley M. Carolan
It never ceases to amaze me that one of our best kept secrets is the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League, affectionately known as COAL.
If you are looking for something special this Christmas for a loved one, or even something beautiful and decorative for yourself, why not visit this best kept secret in town – the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (COAL) at 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., #101.You will find oil paintings, water colors, mixed media, photography, and sculptures, etc.
After much harranging with myself, I finally gave myself permission to exhibit another oil painting for sale. While I don’t consider it my best work by any means I am exceedingly happy to be able to let go of one of my “babies.” Yes, artists consider their work just like giving birth to a baby and are very attached to their work. I am no exception either, so it is a major breakthrough for me. This means I will have more wall space at home to produce more paintings as I let go of others that I have clung to.
It also means that in the New Year I am going to be much more productive. I’ve signed up for several art classes starting in January and want to learn more techniques of using the palette knife. I love 3-dimensional art!
I’d like to extend an invitation for you to visit the galIery over the Holidays. I will be sitting the gallery on Friday, December 21 from 11AM to 2 PM and will be happy to show you around. The Holiday viewing schedule has changed so you may want to call first to be sure they are open at 760-434-8497.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist/Speaker/Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
It never ceases to amaze me that one of our best kept secrets is the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League, affectionately known as COAL.
If you are looking for something special this Christmas for a loved one, or even something beautiful and decorative for yourself, why not visit this best kept secret in town – the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League (COAL) at 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., #101.You will find oil paintings, water colors, mixed media, photography, and sculptures, etc.
After much harranging with myself, I finally gave myself permission to exhibit another oil painting for sale. While I don’t consider it my best work by any means I am exceedingly happy to be able to let go of one of my “babies.” Yes, artists consider their work just like giving birth to a baby and are very attached to their work. I am no exception either, so it is a major breakthrough for me. This means I will have more wall space at home to produce more paintings as I let go of others that I have clung to.
It also means that in the New Year I am going to be much more productive. I’ve signed up for several art classes starting in January and want to learn more techniques of using the palette knife. I love 3-dimensional art!
I’d like to extend an invitation for you to visit the galIery over the Holidays. I will be sitting the gallery on Friday, December 21 from 11AM to 2 PM and will be happy to show you around. The Holiday viewing schedule has changed so you may want to call first to be sure they are open at 760-434-8497.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Shirley M. Carolan, ATMG
Artist/Speaker/Writer
artistwithaflair@att.net
Phone/Fax: 760-732-0663
http://www.angelscross.blogspot.com
http://www.smcarolan.blogspot.com
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