Serene and calming. . . especially from the inside looking out. I love this aspect of winter.

I did this illo a while ago as a winter greeting card to help raise money for Rugmark Foundation.

This year’s autumn has brought a lot of changes. I’m glad to finally feel like I can sit back and enjoy the weather for once (even thought it’s cold outside, I can certainly use my imagination)

Plain, white t-shirts

Can you tell I’m longing for the warm weather again?

I slept in til 9am this morning, making sure I had a full 8 hours of sleep. After showering, I did 10 sun salutations (a series of yoga poses) facing the morning sun. After stretching and feeling awake, I drank a glass of water and slipped on my deliciously soft silky lingerie dress Kim gifted me last night and headed to my studio. I spent a little time and painted myself a little pressie as a reminder to appreciate simple pleasures in life. This beautifully shaped leaf was found in Miami while Doug and I took our walks, the night before our cruise. I picked up a couple and pressed them between the pages of my sketchbook. Now, they make perfect little canvases. This one measures 4.5″ x 3″ at its widest.

Because it’s my birthday, I’ve been inspired by Penelope to do a Mondo Beyondo 2008: Where will you go? list. Not a resolution list or an “I intend to do” list. Mondo Beyondo is a list that’s almost too scary to even write down because the monsters in the closet may response “You can’t do that!” or “Who are you to ask for that?” or “Fat chance. That will never ever happen. You’re not a good enough [fill in the blank] . . . ”

Now, I’m nervous. Feeling a bit dangerous, and a little shy and excited. Hmm. butterflies. But what the hell. And maybe, just maybe I’ll stir up some magical dust somewhere like Penny too. So here goes nothin’

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

I want to give myself credit for starting to take control of my well-being by infusing a yoga class into my life and to get Doug excited about it as I am. We’re learning to breathe, stretch and balance in a healthy way that make us taller after each class. I’m so glad we’ve found a kind teacher who pays attention to Doug‘s needs and inflexibility and helped him/us to adapt to its movements. Also, incorporating many mini vacations into our lives.

I’m also giving myself a thumbs up for turning this apartment into a comfortable, cozy living space where I am proud to have guests over and bond. I bought furnitures that help make our lives more organized without burning any pockets, and I managed to pay them all off. I’m learning to take care of plants and most are still growing healthy today.

In 2007, I promised myself to participate in at least 3 art exhibits and I’m proud to have reached my goals. From this process, I learned that as much as I like deadlines for paintings, I don’t like dealing with the business of art, especially when involved gallery/exhibit people.

Lastly, I’m patting myself on the back for kicking ass in my career moves. At AOL, I traveled to Mountain View to work with other designers to design the AOL.com page, to face and presented works to corporate executives and VPs of the company (very scary). I’m proud to have learned, appreciate and give constructive criticism in a work environment, and be a good team player. After the .com page launched, I made the brave choice of switching to yet another job that many years ago, seemed like a dream. I used whatever courage and strength I had to demand what I wanted and managed to pull it off. I’m grateful for the opportunity.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

Due to possible employment change, I didn’t paint very much in the last 6 months. It was too long a time, and I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself. During that time, I once again, lost my reasons and inspiration to create. I forgive myself for letting it slide and allowing myself to get lost. I also forgive myself for prioritizing work over loved ones or making dinner, for art, and for being bad at time management.

I grieved that I did not give my mom as many messages as I should have. I forgive myself for not being a great daughter.

I grieved for my sanity when dealing with the Making an Entrance art exhibit. I forgive myself for being a little crazy at the time.
3. The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2008? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, “2008 is my year of….”

2008 is my year of “going deeper” into my heart. 2008 is my year of making good business decisions and forming good partnerships.

woo! Feels much better.

*****

Part 2: Mondo Beyondo list. This is the list of things that are SO JUICY and unlikely to happen that you are afraid to even write them down. This might be the most important list of all!:

My Mondo Beyondo list:

- to become a whole, wise, and centered woman

- to get a masters degree

- to illustrate a children’s book and get it published.

- to work as a creative team with Doug to write and illustrate a story, share our ideas, inspire each other and all the while, live simply.

- to buy an energy efficient row house that’s comfortable and roomy enough for me to have a studio (preferably in the city). A house with an in-law suite that I can eventually have my mom move in when she can no longer work.

- to have a solo show

- to have an awesome wedding, which means get married (did I just say it out loud. Brave. I tell ya!)

- to only buy things that I love and would use regularly

- find my inner artistic goddess and paint more regularly. Truly feel and embody creativity. To take myself where ideas can flow easily and messily and openly without judgement or prejudice. To truly break my artistic preconceptions

- to take simple pleasures in life and start a sacred life photo blog

- to take better care of myself with facials and messages and baths

- to talk more power walks, bike around the neighborhood

- become a better writer

- To live bravely and boldy and daringly and wholeheartedly and simply. To have fun! To look fear in the face and move beyond it because I know I am powerful and creative and will always find a way.

There. It’s probably too much to ask. But that’s what Mondo Beyondo is suppose to be! It’s been a great day so far.

I had this idea a while back of doing another toilet painting. I know, something so “dirty,” what’s the big deal? Simply that, it’s the perfect design where form and function meets. I believe it’s one of the many things taken for granted in the first world country.

However, if one observes closely, a toilet’s shape is designed specifically for its function. If function is taken away, what’s left is a beautiful form very reminiscent of the shapes of its users – the human body. I could go on, but someone else has already written a pretty good entry about its history here (Don’t forget to scroll down and read about the social aspect of the toilet room).

At any rate, the act of water cycling and recycling every time one presses the flusher reminds me of the word “Resurrection.” It is a revival, a return to life – a function that keeps the toilet working, give meaning to its existence.

Inside the toilet are two egg yolks (I’ve always wanted to paint egg yolks) to signify “life” “existence” and coiling around the opening is a serpent (get your head out of the gutter). The serpent represents renewal, regeneration, rebirth, and among other mythical and biblical symbolisms including deceitfulness and evil. The dichotomy of views is similar to the way people view the toilet. Perhaps not evil, but definitely as “dirty.”

Now, why am I juxtaposing these subjects in the same space? Because there is a theme here. . . life, death, rebirth. It’s a cycle.

Hmm. . . there’s an inside joke in here somewhere. . .