Intentional in 26

 

There is power in being intentional about life. A new year provides an opportunity to set some intentions for the months ahead. I've been thinking about these things but haven't put pen to paper until now. Some of these are personal, some are professional. 

1. Weight Loss - I did a one week warm-up to the Ideal Protein program before allowing myself to ease off for the holidays. I would like to shed 20-25 pounds in the coming two months and reprogram my relationship to food and health.

2. New Colours - I want to introduce new colours to my painting process. I started late in the fall by adding a few new Golden colours. I want to ease my addiction to colours like Bone Black (Golden) and Azo Gold (Golden).

3. Mentorships - I have volunteered to mentor other artists through a couple of different organizations. This is a relatively new experience for me and I'm excited to provide support and guidance to others within structure programs.

4. OAC Transition - I will be leaving the Okotoks Arts Council board at the AGM in February after six years. My intention is to remain an active and engaged volunteer with the organization, helping in the background in whatever way might be helpful as it transitions to new leadership.

5. The Venue - I have begun plugging into a local organization called the High River Performing Arts Foundation. My role this year will be to help promote and run the outdoor gallery exhibition at The Venue, an outdoor performance and arts space in downtown High River. 

6. Landscapes and Landmarks - each week for 52 weeks I will created a landscape or landmark painting in support of Bracelets For Buildings, a charity that we have been supporting for many years now. Not only will we raise enough money to mostly fund the construction of a home for an impoverished family in Cambodia, I will improve and evolve my skills with landscapes and landmarks.

7. SEED Homes - both Heather and I want to be intentional about working with our SEED Homes partners to finish off the last remaining deficiency items on the house and studio. We'll also get our remaining deposit back from the Town of High River at the end of the winter for the deep services work we needed to do back in 2023. This construction project should be one hundred percent complete in 2026.

8. Walking - I have fallen off my walking routine. It tends to happen when the studio gets busy like it did in the fall and holiday season. When I don't walk, the effects of aging get exacerbated. That's not good. Walking is also an opportunity to take photographs which become paintings. 

9. Friendships - taking the time to nurture friendships and connections is time well spent. I want to invest more in this area in 2026.

10. Portraits - I want to return to portraiture and make some new discoveries. I'm not sure what that means yet, only that it needs to happen this year. 

There we go. Ten intentions to set the path for the New Year. Let's go!