Not Gonna Lie

Kim Klassen shared a post, complete with templates and a video tutorial, on how to make a year-on-the-wall calendar. She did all the heavy lifting by creating the templates, picking the fonts, making sure the days and months were correct, and even adding a perfect quote to the bottom of the calendar page.

Kim’s calendars were so beautiful, I decided to give it a try.

Not gonna lie, even when she made it super easy, it was still hard for me. My husband tried to help. I called my son who works in IT and he conveniently did not pick up. I spent a good amount of time figuring out how to import the templates into Lightroom. Then I had to step away from the computer and come back the next day. Once refreshed, I signed up for Canva and again uploaded Kim’s clever calendar templates. This was tricky. Somehow I got the files to open in Word, enabled editing, clicked on the “here” button and presto the file opened in Canva. Don’t ask me how because I do not know.

Fortunately, I already had a dozen images chosen and gathered in a collection. This is the only really fun part of the project, and I had already done this part for another small calendar I ordered from Artifact Uprising to give to the two people who most keep me going. My physical therapist and my counselor.

Calendar finally complete! With all that effort, I felt as though it would be a shame not to print one. Ordered from an online print lab, 11 X 17 poster.

I didn’t even need a wall calendar, but I fully consider this work to be brain exercise! Apparently, I am of the age where this is a daily requirement.

Calendar Design and Templates courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Unintentionally

The universe just keeps sending good things and good people my way. Sometimes I am living in my head and do not take notice. In these cases, it’s usually my body that has the power to call my attention, and nowadays, I listen.

First up, there was this most perfect post from Helen McLaughlin, Is it okay not to be intentional?

“Your inner compass is on all the time. Fresh, new thought is occurring to you all the time. You don't need anything you don't already have, including intentions.”

Second, a new book that has me thinking.

Accidentally Wes Anderson. From the book jacket: “Inspired by a community of more than one million Adventurers, Accidentally Wes Anderson tells the stories behind the most beautiful, idiosyncratic, and interesting places on Earth.”

The book is essentially a travelogue, where each story begins with a photograph captioned with a Name, Location, and Date (when the structure or location was founded, established, built, manufactured, or opened to the public).

Studying the book, I began to think back to the pictures I’ve taken on our travels and how some of them might fall into the identifiable style of a Wes Anderson film. I’ve been culling through my archives, creating a collection of images that could become my own Adventure Journal. There are many things I like about this type of project. The travels don’t have to be far away or exotic to yield interesting photographs. I find the idea of one or two compelling photographs of a place far more possible and intriguing than snapping away at everything. This project would also give me the opportunity to dive into the history of the subject, an added dimension of narrative. And of course, the COLOR and DESIGN elements!

Helen’s words ring true:

“What if the right things, the right 'intentions,' if you want to call them that, will find you? (What if the exact right next step has been finding you this whole time, intentions or not?)

What if it's less about planning what you want to go after...and more about following the next thing that gives you that indescribable juicy feeling? That buzz of energy?”

Riverview Inn
Colonial Beach, Virginia | c. 1948

Arriving Home

I’ve been away from this space from a whole year. Resting and recharging. There is no grand plan. No big reveal. No promises or pressure. A big part of healing from trauma involves finding what nurtures you. Taking these simple photographs is my creative outlet - and a sign that I recognize that my needs matter too and that I am worthy of respect.

Look Out

I am exploring themes for this project. Round and round they go like so many towels in a dryer, tumbling one over the other, tangling and finally loosening to separate and stand out.

My working title is Second Hand. Which somehow pushes ahead of Thrift Shop Art, or Second Chances, or Treasure Trove. Of course, there are the tried and true titles, like Opp Shop and Twice as Nice or Two Times New. And all the other various iterations and plays on words that have to do with stores that sell donated treasures, heirlooms, junk and trash.

I fret that this project is trivial. Just thrift store stuff arranged into still life scenes. And then I stop for a compassion break, and let go of those old rules that say my art has to say something.