I read a joke recently —

“How are you?”  “Fine.  For details, read my blog.”

Of course if you were to read my blog you wouldn’t find much.  I keep telling you that I’m busy and that I’m going to get better at doing this thing.  Has it happened?  Not yet, but life is a journey and I’m a work in progress.

That being said, I would like to catch you up on what’s been happening on my side of the planet.

The holidays certainly kept me busy.  As some of you know, I work part-time for the UPS store in Wichita.  Needless to say, from about the middle of November through the end of January it was soooooo busy that I didn’t even get a chance to put up a Christmas ornament, let alone a Christmas tree.  That being said, I did enjoy time with my family on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  January kept us busy at UPS with returns and such.  I think things are finally calming down, though, which is good, because quite honestly I really thought I was supposed to be retired.

During that time-frame, I re-ignited my interest in my art and started painting.  I did a number of pieces, mostly for family and friends. Most of it is abstract, you can see some of the pictures I’ve posted.  But I’ve also been working at tangling more often, and have posted some of those, too.  Over the holidays, a friend of mine in Virginia, Kathy Strauss, introduced me to Whitney Freya and Creatively Fit.  What I found through Creatively Fit was another piece to put into my toolbox.  I am currently working my way through Whitney’s online certification program to become a Creatively Fit coach.  You’re probably thinking, so what does a Creatively Fit coach do, Bonnie, and why are you telling me this?  Over the past several years (I became a Certified Zentangle Teach in 2011), I have come to realize that I’m on a journey of opening up myself to creating — both art and my life.  I find it fascinating that the road has opened up to me to begin painting again.  But not just painting; enjoying myself and immersing myself in the PLEASURE of art. I’m so much of a “business person” that I see everything as a “business”.  My family laughs at me all the time because everything I hear about, or think up an idea about, I’m like…”hmmm, how can we make this into a business?”  What I am beginning to see in myself, though, is the PLEASURE of art for art’s sake.  I’m not famous, I’m not perfect, I’m not a “professional” in the sense that most people would consider an artist to be, but I am so thrilled to just being in the moment.  And this is where I think the whole key lies.  Instead of “working” or trying to “do”, I’m finally just “being”.  And that’s a HUGE breakthrough for me.

I’m anxious to see where that journey leads me.  I know that I’ve become more excited about what I’d like to share.  I’ll still teach, but instead of being “the teacher” (as in standing in front of the class saying, “Now, class…”), I hope to be a guide.  A guide to those around me who also want to take that journey on the road to “being in the moment”.  I’ll still probably stand in front of a group of people who want to learn the Zentangle method, but I feel a shift in my thought pattern and I hope that will come out as I share in future programs.  Let me know the next time you take a workshop with me if you see any of that shift.  I’d sure love to know if I’m an inspiration to you.  I don’t want to be droll, dry, or dead.  I want to share my excitement, my passion, my joy with you in the act of creating.

Am I beginning to sound a little too far in the clouds?  I hope not.

Take the journey with me and let’s see where we land, shall we?

I do want to tell you about some new classes I’ve put up.  If you go to the workshops/demos page you’ll see two new classes there – BEYOND THE BASICS: String Theory and Embellishments, and SHADES OF GRAY.  These are going to be really fun classes and you’ll enjoy the deeper, richer experience you’ll have with your tangling through them.  Interested in both classes?  I’m holding a DOUBLE-HEADER.

Once I finish my course work in Creatively Fit, I’ll receive my certification there and will be preparing to share that, probably sometime around May 2015.

I almost forgot!  I’m also headed to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take a weekend program from Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson.  Her collage work is extraordinary and I am super excited about learning from her.  Her story is awe-inspiring and you must look at her work.  Click here to see it.

Will it be another three months before my next blog?  Who knows.  A couple of roads keep coming to my mind…the long and winding road (Beatles) and the Yellow Brick Road (leading to Oz and home).  I’m on the road and I’ll keep you posted at the stops along the way 🙂

HAPPY TANGLING, B.