The Soulful Series Newsletter
January 2023
Meditations
Hey Friend! Coming out of the Holidays into a new year provides us with so many opportunities for new starts and fresh projects and goals. I spend a fair amount of time in these early weeks of January “dreaming and scheming,” but it takes tremendous patience not to rush ahead. Being creative, I like to craft a vision of what’s to come, a picture of what I want the months ahead to look like and hold. This always entails lots of notes, ideas, reflection, and prayer time. I patiently sort through what things went well and not so well in the previous year before setting some intentions and writing down some big goals for the upcoming year. Another thing I do is define my word of the year, so I can focus my energy around a theme. Again, this takes patience to discern where my energy is moving. A challenge for me is culling the multitude of ideas I have floating around in my head down to only the most meaningful ones. And since this year, my word of the year is Freedom, I am aiming to exercise an extra portion of patience as I decide what things to pursue in 2023. So, if you see me out and about, feel free to ask me where the Lord has led me. If I have learned anything in my life so far, it is that patiently trusting God to guide my steps is the only way I find true satisfaction and peace and where all the hope for my future lies.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5
What things are you patiently crafting for 2023?
Michelle
p.s. Want to go deeper on Patience? Consider subscribing to A Soulful Calling, a special edition of the Art + Soul Newsletter
Musings
I’m currently musing over the meditative and monochromatic work of Yves Klein (1928-1962). He worked in a variety of mediums in his eight years as a professional artist, but this proprietary ultramarine blue of his own making is my most loved.
Makings
New work for January is now available at Charleston Artist Collective. This month’s theme is “Renewal,” and a portion of all proceeds will benefit Charleston Animal Society.
I’m not working much right now as I finish up a break for the holidays and a trip with my family, but I’ll be in touch soon with studio updates for you.
I finished up the commission below for my gallery owner, and before she could get it home, a customer walked in and asked to buy it. She was able to make a client happy, and I’m beyond excited to be able to paint another one just for her.
On The Horizon
I hope something here put a smile on your face, inspired you, or warmed your heart! If it did, I would love to hear your response.