Casting back

Mixed media of scraps from the 1970’s

Last week I did a final sort of my envelopes of childhood art, report cards and stories, and pulled out pieces that I would use in future mixed media pieces, or that had a sentimental pull to them. It was a fun stroll down memory lane before letting go of these bits. I started drawing and “writing” at age 3 according to the dates my mother put on each piece. She would write down what my string of letters (or scribbles) meant and what the picture was about to clarify it. After all these years it was time to let go of all this, to lighten the load so to speak. As I am winnowing down belongings over the course of the year I am finding that there are a lot of duplicate items I didn’t realize I had, stuff I won’t need again, and things I should have let go of sooner. It is a journey of discovery on many fronts.

Fearless isn’t perfect

Bold colored mixed media

It is good to remember that being fearless is not a perfect act. Fearless can be an ugly, gulping, quivering, do it anyway process. And that is okay. Sometimes you just have to do things the best you can when and accept that fear is part of it.

11 years

Mixed media journal page with “be kind” quote

Today I am trying to think back 11 years. 2012. That is when I reluctantly started blogging. I wasn’t sure it would be for me, or that I could keep it up. Back then it was named “Bec’s windmill: life spinning by”, now it is Wild Bird Creative reflecting my mixed media courses. 11 years is another lifetime ago just as age 10 to 21 is. It is strange that so much time as gone by when it feels more 5 or 6. It was, in many ways, a different world back in 2012, and yet if we look closely it really was not. The seeds scattered then are growing now, and often kindness seems not to be.

Getting to done

Mixed media mini journal spread with Cheryl Sandberg quote.

Perfect is great, but too often a way to not start or complete tasks. Too often imperfect is seen mediocre or a failure. No house is perfectly plumb, no shirt perfectly sewn, the imperfect is all around us and much of it is beautiful. Embrace the fact that getting things done might mean there are imperfections and grow from there.

Mid week searching

Mixed media with bird in flight and Robert Herrick quote

“Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt, Nothing’s so hard, but search will find it out” This mid week I am in search of steadfast calm so as not to let others waves wash me off course. It is too easy to think that you can do it all, move yourself forward and others. But each of us are on a different path and moving at a different speed. Take care to not confuse your journey with theirs when you try to help or offer a listening ear.

Ready for it

Mini mixed media journal page with “ready for it” text

I have embarked on a year of creating and clearing out. So far both are going well, and it feels good. I have opened old boxes that got packed before our moved and dealt with the contents. It is so easy to end up with boxes of old holiday card photos, letters, trip memorabilia, and the like. Then it ends up on a shelf, neatly contained but serving no purpose. Letting go of stuff you no longer need is easy for some people and hard for others. It is about being ready for it.