it's been a year...

                              (Happy Birthday dear blog...red velvet cupcake from Tim's birthday)
It's been a year since I started my blog so now seems the perfect time to tell you my  whole blogging story. Initially I set up my blog to get my art "out there" and to challenge myself...At least, that was the hazy idea I had. I set up my blogspot account about 2 and a half years before I actually wrote my first post!! What?? Now during this time I had a ton of stuff going on...adjusting to married life, Tim deployed to Iraq, we moved across the country (twice!!), I was pregnant and gave birth to Tara, I started painting again. So it was a life changing period; a full, full time...But the real reason why I couldn't  actually write in my blog was this. I was frozen...by fear and insecurity. What would I have to say, how was I going to maintain the commitment of regular postings, who would want to read my words anyways...on and on. Like so many many of us...I didn't think my words and stories had meaning and value. Plus just the very thought of exposing mySELF in such a personal and intimate way...was enough to make me throw up!! So time just dragged on while my poor blog remained empty, lonely and very very sad! A couple of months before actually taking the plunge, I picked up a copy of Artful Blogger and...I was amazed, in awe, inspired and ...well, simply stunned at the wealth of fantastic blogs out there. Art, photos, writings, knitting, scrapbooking, food, entire lives in progress...the variety and depth was mind blowing....and I wanted to be a small part of it. So I  wrote my first post. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing...seriously!!! But I knew this right from the start; I was going to be honest, authentic...real. I was just going to be me! I mean, what's the point of doing it otherwise...and who else could I be anyways:)...? Starting my blog was one of the best things I did in 2010!! Not that it was all smooth sailing let me tell you; I almost shut down my blog in May when Tim had a very difficult and painful shoulder surgery and I became completely overwhelmed. But I stuck through those periods of self doubt, overwhelm and insecurity. In the first few months of postings (I now notice) my writings were shy...reserved...unsure. It was a process of unearthing...my creativity, my heart...mySELF. This journey of blogging has led me to parts of mysELF I never knew were there...parts that were long forgotten. For me...blogging has been as much about the inner journey of unearthing mySELF as it has been about connecting with others...

                            (reading the current issue of Artful Blogging-serious inspiration!)
Now, after a year of blogging...a few things I have learned:
* It really is all about connecting with heart . I have "met" the most wonderful, kind hearted, creative, earthy, amazing mammas, old souls, artists, authors, photographers, all around creative folk out there...and the generosity of spirit, huge hearts, support, help...has been amazing and truly a gift I never could of anticipated...but one that I am forever grateful for.
* Blogging has transformed me...the journey has peeled off layers and layers of self doubt to expose a creative soul who loves to write, take photos, share my creative process, reach out and form community. And oh yeah...I'm kinda' crafty too (who knew!!)
* Blogging has motivated and inspired my art-making process and has shaped my intentions before I even get to the canvas.
* It's awesome to have a visual diary of the year and boy! I just wish I had started sooner!!
* The process of writing a post every few days has really fertilized and nourished my creativity. In the beginning, I often had bloggers' block...but the more posts I write...the easier it becomes. There are just so many thing to share...it's really endless. And now I can connect with a whole world of creatives. How else can I get inside the studio of an artist who lives all the way across the world?
* My blog has taken on a life of it's own...while I write about all the many facets of (my) life...art, books, family, motherhood..I find that my blog has shaped me as much as I have shaped it.
* I was surprised at how attached and ...protective I am of this space. It houses all of my deepest parts...my thoughts and feelings, my art and words...photos and ideas...my very essence. It is a very sacred and spiritual place to me...

*I want to thank every single person who takes the time to read my blog. For commenting and offering support and kindness and a listening ear. We are all connected in this web of life...on this journey. And if you are reading this and thinking of starting your own blog...do it!!! You will be surprised at the unearthing of all the parts of ...yourSELF...

(Creative Soul Unearthed, mixed media, archival prints available soon!)