51 0r 53 but not 52! Challenge Yourself!
I started last year, 2012, off with a 52/52 painting challenge. I wanted to do 52 paintings in 52 weeks. Did I make it? I am not really sure if I did or not. I have uploaded the results of my work onto my Pinterest boards as well as my Flickr account. My confusion is that I have 53 postings on my Flickr account and 51 on my Pinterest Board. The reason for the discrepancy is that I did major graphite drawings for 2 of my paintings and then scanned and posted them. I then painted over the graphite drawings using gouache and covering up the graphite. The paintings were again scanned and posted as finished pieces. The question is did I make my challenge or did I fall short?
2012 was the toughest year I have ever had. I lost 2 family members, both unexpected and tragic. I had to deal with several illnesses this year in my family, some curable and and others not. My family suffered the effects of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. All in all, I am glad to see 2012 end. So given the horrible year I had, I think I did what I set out to do……….Be an ARTIST.
My message to my readers is this: Do not measure progress in terms of success or failure, but in terms of whether you have remained true to yourself. Whatever it is, it is important to you, and maybe only to you. Hold onto it, keep it safe and never let it go. My passion for the natural world is where I find my sanity, hope, and inspiration. To abandon it would have been the worst thing I could have done this year. Thank you for traveling with me on my 52/52 journey. It was great having your support and encouragement.
Here is my last trio of paintings for 2012. I spent the Christmas week in New Jersey and New York City. I stayed with my artist/friend Patricia Wynne and she taught me how to make MonoPrints. I was very reluctant but decided to push out of my comfort zone and try something I didn’t think I would like. I have to say that working with oil based ink on a plexi-glas plate felt like scribbling with motor oil. I wasn’t crazy about the process, but when I was finished I didn’t hate it, half as much as I thought I would! I submitted them to the Salmagundi Club’s MonoPrint Exhibit starting at the end of this month in NYC.
Rainbow Keeled Toucan Monoprint- Mlighthipe©2012
“Plunge”- MonoPrint MLighthipe©2012
“Inferno” MonoPrint MLighthipe ©2012
I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous 2013. I am looking forward to this new year and will be announcing some special offerings soon. I have been working with some video ideas and will be offering an online class soon.
Looking forward to an online class offered by you! As well as your other special offerings. Carol
Thanks for stopping by my blog Carol. I will keep you updated about my online class and other good stuff!
Your message was an inspiration. Thanks. You have done a fantastic job and stayed totally focused, and I really admire your effort. Also, monotype is great. I find it a way of working out ideas without getting too loaded down with detail and somehow it has a freshness and energy that I find exciting. Good on you girl!!All the very best for 2013
Dear Rosie,
Thank you so much for the kudos and posting on my blog. I am a BIG fan of your work. Is there someplace that you post your mono prints? I would love to see what you do. I am already familiar with your botanical paintings and would love to see more of anything you do. Cheers to you in 2013!
~Mindy
Dear Mindy – this post resonates with me – I too am glad to move forwards. I am so sorry you have been through such a tough journey. Perhaps there is some solace in finding that your work is your healing balm – it certainly brings a lot of joy to others.
Your message about remaining true to yourself resonates greatly – often we are so affected by circumstances and opinions that we lose our way a little.
It is through my love of nature and art that I have met so many lovely people and learnt more about myself than I thought possible.
Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
Dear Vicky,
It is easy to get lost. It is comforting to know that there are ways to stay focused and ways to stay connected with people of like minds. I love nature and am thankful for the internet because I can share my passion with others who know what I am talking about and appreciate it too!!!
Wishing you all the best for 2013 and always,
~Mindy
Happy New Year to you and yours.
I love your artwork and enjoy visiting here.
To you too Dorothy! It is great that we have reconnected again!
~Mindy
I’m sorry to hear 2012 wasn’t kind to you and your family and I am impressed, very much so, that you made over 50 works of art. I love mono prints; I hope you do more! May 2013 be as wonderful as 2012 was difficult.
Thanks Gretchen,
I need to learn more about mono prints. There seems to be a huge popularity right now for them. Have you done them? I would love to see some if you have. I hope you have a wonderful 2013!
~Mindy
Your mono prints are exquisite. I would never have imagined that you could achieve that level of delicacy in a mono print.
Dear Sandra,
Thanks for admiring my mono prints. It was a stretch for me. I actually didn’t think I got that much detail in my prints. I think I could get even more if I get into it a bit more. I am not sure that I will but it was definitely a new medium for. for some reason I find that I can only do printmaking in a social setting. Whenever I visit my friend Patricia we make prints or if I take a class. I have a tiny press here, but never seem to get to make prints in the studio. Who knows where it will take me…but I am enjoying the journey!
Happy creating in 2013,
~Mindy
Mindy you are indeed an inspiration. I also lost close family members during 2011 and 2012 was meant to be me pushing on and getting on with it, like yourself, using the love of nature to cope with difficult circumstances we find ourselves having to deal with, and to help us find our way. Having you out there helped make a difference and I thank you for always being that extra spark. All the best for a successful and nature-art filled year ahead Mindy. Jacqui x
Dear Jacqui,
Thank you for you note. I appreciate all my artist friends from around the world! It is wonderful to have the support and understanding from people like you. Nature is awesome in her healing power!!!! My best to you in 2013 and always.
~Mindy
I’m so sorry you had a terrible year! I miss seeing you now and then but check out all of the pics you post. I would love to take an online class!
Dear Heidi,
Good to hear from you. I miss seeing you too! I was in NJ at Christmas. It was toooooo cold for me. I will be back when it is warmer for sure. Until then I will see you on the internet.
~Mindy
Mindy thank you for sharing that. I am sorry for your tough year. Mine had a lot of rough spots too, but it sounds like you took quite a beating. I hope you have the loveliest, happiest, jolliest, gorgeous, and peaceful year ever in 2013. And I am thrilled that you are going to offer an online class! Sign me up! Sending a hug your way,
Cara
Dear Cara,
Thank you so much for your support. I can use the hugs! I am sending all good things back your way and wishing you the same in 2013. It is great to know that there are people out there that care.
Look forward to seeing your monoprints in person at Salmagundi, I thought the pieces you had in the Thumb-Box were wonderful. Thank you so much for participating in our activities and events, you’re a terrific addition! Now to clearing my schedule for next year’s trip to Costa Rica…Best to you in 2013 from your friends in NYC!
Dear Mame,
Thanks so much for admiring my monoprints and my work at the Thumb-box exhibit. I enjoy participating. I wish I could be there for an opening! We would love to have you join us in Costa Rica. I am headed further south to Costa Rica at the end of the month. Best to you too in 2013.
~Mindy
I just found your blog and took a look at your 52/52 pieces from last year. Beautiful! So fresh and fun, too. I’m sorry for everything you went through last year but if your art looked that good despite what you were going through I can’t wait to see what you do this year! And I will look forward to hearing about an online class. I’m bookmarking your blog right…now!
Dear Gabrielle,
Thank you for finding my blog and following me. I should be up and running again soon so you will be hearing from me soon!
~Mindy