Hello 2016

2015 was a really good year! Many great things happened during the year. Most significanly our 25-year anniversary, our trip out to Seattle, our extensive house renovations and, of course, our joint art show. Momentous!

Ribbit
Acrylics on stretched canvas
11 x 14 inches (22 x 36 cm)

And certainly, there was a lot of painting. Not as much as I had planned, but life sometimes gets in the way. Still, I spent much time in my studio and loved (almost) every minute of it.

Underwater Magic
Acrylics on stretched canvas
12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)

Now 2016 has begun and it feels momentous again. It's the year I turn half a century old. How great is that?!? It's such a privilege to get older! I also get a feeling that there will be even more art created this year and that it will change somewhat. I have a yearning to paint bigger and to include more elements in some paintings.

Just Hanging Out
Acrylics on stretched canvas
11 x 14 inches (22 x 36 cm)

I can also sense that there will be a good amount of travel this year. Last year was fairly quiet on that front and I needed that. This year feels different. Full of moving energy. Like there will be growth and expansion in many areas of my life, but especially in the creative one.

Tell Me the Truth
Acrylics on stretched canvas
11 x 14 inches (22 x 36 cm)

You know how I usually choose a word for the year to sort of give me a theme. For 2016, the word that kept coming up is "nourish," which at first confounded me. But as I think about it, to nourish my life will be very important on every level if this year is going to be the force it promises to be.

By the Power of the Moon
Acrylics on stretched canvas
12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)

To help me with all of it I once again ordered these fabulous and beautiful planners created by the amazing Leonie Dawson. I have laid out my next year and am dreaming about everything I want to do - in my studio and my life. Last year I used them for the first time and, wow, what a difference they made in how I approached my painting and everything important that I wanted to happen. This year there are separate planners for business and life, which is really helpful, plus an added daily planner, so I am ready, ready, ready to create a great 2016!

Should you be interested in any of my art, please visit my Etsy Shop here.

If you want to get your hands on your very own planner(s), click here or on the top image in my sidebar.

I am linking to the always inspiring Paint Party Friday, which I haven't been participating in enough. I plan to change that next year. Head on over there for more amazing art!

And if you don't want to click on anything, that's perfectly fine! I love that you continue to come visit me here on my blog, that I started this great adventure in art and writing almost 7 years ago, that I didn't quit, that I feel more and more inspired every day and that I can't wait to paint and blog my heart out this year.

A beautiful and prosperous New Near 

to all of you! 

With much love and gratitude,

❧ Silke