I now acknowledge that, for me, working hard is a never-ending and frustrating story. It’s like rowing like a maniac only to realize your boat is still tied to the dock. (True story - happened to my Uncle Don). Yet, doing less to accomplish more? Hmmmm…..

I’d come to a dead end with this painting and decided to use it in my collage explorations. From top to bottom, you’ll see how I tore the pagoda and its bamboo friend free from the background.

The best way I know to really understand something is to explain it to others. So, tag, you’re “it”. Let’s start here:

Wise friends have advised me: “For best results, act on inspired action, not required action.” Get it? Normally, I feel uncomfortable without a specific plan, when addressing a new decision or goal. Any action felt better than no action. I learned that busy-ness was regarded by watchful and critical eyes as the righteous path.

I recently followed a transformational program created by Dr. Benjamin Hardy. He explains that our brains process the last three things we do (or think about having done) at the end of our working day. Our brains then continue thinking about those last three actions with respect to what else we did that day.

If we constantly face a lot of daily tasks, our brains correlate our feelings of accomplishment with respect to what remains on the list. Simply put, the more we do in a day, the less our brains believe in happy endings.

Dr. Hardy goes on to explain that by following through on a single aspect of a desired goal - the one to three most important tasks for that day that truly matter - our brains will begin associating our accomplishments with real progress.

In other words, focusing on one to three specific sub-goals allows us to fully commit to the task at hand as well as to our ultimate goal. In addition, we experience a clear start and a successful finish. Our brains begin to reinterpret who we are as high-performers who live in a state of flow which then translates to less effort provides greater gain. So, yay.

I wasn’t taught to believe this, and I still don’t trust it completely; however, I am trying it. I’m reminded of Albert Einstein’s wonderful definition of insanity as “doing something over and over again and expecting different results.”

I’ve tried my old way for too long and I know what it brings. My life is better, yes, but I dream of more. Look how well this worked for Mr. Einstein. So, why not? Why not me and why not you?

If you try it, let me know how it works. I’d really like to know.

Here’s a partial photo of where I am now. How do I marry the pagoda to its lavender rice paper background and make this creative idea stand out?

All the best!

Judy

Ok, gang. Let’s reboot and get going. I invite you to consider a co-creative joint endeavor that singularly reads: “A brand new me in my brand new year.”

A Far Away Invitation

A BRAND NEW ME in my BRAND NEW YEAR! I hope that feels as promising to you as it does to me because I’d like to have you along for company. There is something about the open expanse of a new year that begs for relaunch and reinvention. My personal thoughts are about trust and enhancing my Future Self life.

Coming Up Deco

One brand new me 2021 event is my very first online art show with fellow artist friends Pamela Roberson and Bonnie Anthony which launched January 29! We were interviewed by Mike Brennon, host of the “Creative Chats” podcast. There’s a very short segment on my Facebook page. It and other short interviews are posted on the show website as well. Go to thepbjeffect.com to hear how we got our name.

Laughing at the Moon

Also in honor of my Future Self (yes, she lives in caps), selected paintings will be offered at going, going, gone! prices. Some are framed, others not, but all are 50% off with free shipping to United States destinations. I’m making room for the new me in this new year and clearing out the studio is key. I also will be selling my collection of Koa wood frames, some with cut plexiglass. Contact me direct or through the website if you’re interested.

Now, Voyager

The third part of my 2021 Future Self is what I’m creating in the studio these days. I’m reinventing my approach to the batik method involving explosions and collage. More fun show-and-tell pictures are on the way so keep an eye out.

Inside Out

What about you? Take a quick moment and consider who you’d like to be in 2021. How would you like the world to see you? How do you want to dress? What sort of adventures do you crave? What brings you joy? What things make you feel happy or content?

Close to You

Part four of my 2021 Future Self involves (finally) fixing and updating my environment. “That’ll do” no longer fits in my life. When I choose something to wear or when I look at a room in my home, I want to feel a resounding “Yes!” I want to feel a sense of satisfaction.

Ready for It

To recap: Sale-priced paintings are now posted on the Website. I’m also showcasing them daily on my Instagram and Facebook pages (direct links can be found at judyaveiro.com). New paintings will be added to the site soon as well. Note that some paintings have been “hidden” from my website during the spring online show but you can still find them by going to thepbjeffect.com. (Oh, when you’re on thepbjeffect.com website, click on my painting “Moonchild.” When you get to the new page, scroll down and click on the short video to see how I create my batiks. It’s fun and Zen-like.)

Wind Dancers

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I send love and best wishes for a better-feeling New Year. I look forward to hearing about your brand new Future Selves.

Judy

Life is moving again…stores and restaurants are reopening and I can see more traffic as I look out my windows. Things are shifting and I am considering “re” words as life resumes - reimagine, reorganize, rejuvenate, reset, and redefine are a few. What “re” words apply to your life, I wonder?

I created this little canvas a couple of years ago and still appreciate its message. This was a fun project - molding paste for the bamboo leaves with words printed from my computer onto a clear transfer sheet and then decoupaged onto the painted canvas.

Self-quarantine has afforded me more time for my creativity and to tackle some of my To Do list. One item on that list is now happily checked off in spades. My new and improved Website is up and running and I love it! Lots of new paintings in the “Beaux Batiks” section and more on the way.

Here you see outlines copied from a dried color wash left from a prior painting. I’d been intrigued from the random patterns left behind, beautiful designs I don’t think I could make on my own. I thought it would be fun to make another painting from leftovers.

I just finished an upbeat and inspirational book by Elizabeth Gilbert (of “Eat, Pray, Love” fame) titled, “Big Magic”. You all know what a huge fan I am of all things magical and sharing that in my paintings. Gilbert’s take on creativity has reignited my creative engines. If you are ready to reboot your life, you may want to check this book out. It felt so good as I read it the first time that I immediately reread it.

This is my first color wash after “drawing” loops and swirls on virgin paper with melted wax using the still uncontrollable wax tool.

In the last letter, I told you about Jean’s 7 Levels Deep Q and A. For instructions and explanation, click on the “7 Levels Deep” blog (on my - ahem - new and improved website).

After applying melted wax along the outlines of the original design with a tiny paintbrush, I dropped in stronger values of color on very wet paper and left the colors mix and mingle.

Here are my responses starting with the Level One Q: “What is important to you about becoming a successful artist?”

1. To prove to Dad that I could, indeed, succeed. (Sigh…)

2. More deeply, to prove to everyone that I have value as I am (as opposed to earning value by doing what everyone else wanted me to do).

3. Because this is the real me. I love who I am. I love who I have become.

4. This is where real sharing and healing come from - loving and nurturing self and then helping others to do the same.

5. It’s most important to me to reach as many people as possible, to remind them of their own special childlike sparks.

6. It’s what I’m here to do.

7. Final answer: Living is all about expressing who I am and connecting from that fullness with others.

When the last wash dried, I applied wax to the whole painting. I then ironed off the wax. The painting is now ready to embellish and enhance. I ask myself (and the painting), “What next?” I loved some of the serendipitous color mixes and wanted to call attention to them so I decided to…

As always, I’m interested in your thoughts about you! I extend my invitation to take you through the 7 Levels Deep Q and A game. It’s surprising and insightful.

…use black gesso in areas nearby those fun color combos. Mixing gesso with any color will tone it down and, when painted next to focus points or areas of interest, gives pop to them. Final decision was to flip the painting 180 degrees.

Wishing you a joyful and safe reemergence!