Here we are at the beginning of a new year!

Hope the holidays allowed for some quiet time to rest and recharge, some time for celebrations with family and friends, and the opportunity for gratitude to another year in the books!

A new year practice I enjoy doing to help give me a focus is choosing a Word of the Year.  I usually begin to think about my word towards the end of December.  I like to review the passing year’s accomplishments, struggles, challenges, and victories. I think about adjustments I would like to make in my personal, professional, and creative life to help set a focus and intention for the new year.  This is a practice I started many years ago. I begin by looking for inspiration or signs that signal a powerful word to use to truly encompasses my new year’s focus.  I create word maps and search through the thesaurus and dictionary to find the perfect word. In years past, a specific word might show up in books I am reading, billboards I drive by, or movies I watch.  You never know where you might find your Word for the Year! It’s good to stay open and see what inspires you!

In 2019, I chose my first Word of the Year and decided to stamp the word on a ceramic stone and carry it with me as a reminder of my focus. That first year, my word was EMPOWER.  The following year, I set a focus on my artwork and how I wanted to see the studio transition.  I was so inspired with the work I did around my Word of the Year, in all aspects of my life, from personal relationships to creative opportunities. My word for 2020 was FLOURISH. Well, needless to say, there was a definite transition in the studio! Just not the one I was intending!  I am sure everyone felt it for 2020! Art shows, exhibits, and social encounters were all cancelled. I put my clay work on hold and signed up for an online workshop. I had no idea the flourishing in my artwork would begin with my introduction to art journaling and mixed media work.  So in a sense, I did flourish in my creativity and techniques of creating art! The following year brought about a word of quiet, reflective work.  2021 gave me the opportunity to look back at my journey as an artist, a small business owner, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a creative pilgrim! In 2021, my Word of the Year was REFLECT. This past year brought the promise of movement and flow. There was great change occurring not only in me but the whole world. My word for 2022 came to me while working on a spread in my art journal.  It just felt right and I decided to go with the flow! My Word for the Year was FLUID.

I figured out pretty quickly what my Word of the Year for 2023 was going to be!  This is a pretty big year for me; I will be turning 50 in June.  I have been thinking about where I want my art to lead me and my intentions for the studio.  I have been putting pen to paper to create goals for the next one, five, and ten years. I have also been thinking about my health: physically, mentally, and spiritually.  One word continued to come to mind…VALUE. I look forward to working with this word, both as noun and verb, and seeing what arises in this new year!

So my invitation to you is to come up with a word or even a phrase to embody what you would like to manifest for the year!  Get focused, set your intention, and be ready to do the work!  I am rooting for you!

Happy New Year! Gratefully,

Patty Muenks, president