Must..Focus...on Goals!

Greetings!  Today's daily prompt for the March Blogathon:  3 Lists of Future Goals 

This is timely because just the other day I listened to an interesting talk on MindValley, speaker Vishen Lakhiani, that some of you might also find helpful and inspiring.  Cheezy title:  Theory of Awesomeness:  Why Some People Lead Epic Lives while Others Only Dream but I found myself very engaged in the entire video!  One of my key take-aways as it pertains to the task at hand, was a holistic approach to goal-setting, eg, 12 categories to always consider when setting goals so you stay balanced throughout your life (health & fitness, intellectual, emotional, character, spiritual, relationships, social life, etc.. and finally to your life vision, "that grand thing you want to contribute to the world.")  This is the basis for Jon Butcher's goal-setting company, Lifebook (also the same guy who runs the company Precious Moments), who I have no affiliation with, nor care to.

As you can see, I'm pretty good at not setting goals and researching the living daylights out of the whole notion of goal-setting, when I do actually consider setting some.  But I'll try and focus..

My cat helps me focus.  Tremendously.

Why Some People Lead Epic Lives, while Others only Dream - See more at: http://mindvalleyacademy.com/featured/theory-of-awesomeness#sthash.pELkfTWT.dpuf

Why Some People Lead Epic Lives, while Others only Dream - See more at: http://mindvalleyacademy.com/featured/theory-of-awesomeness#sthash.pELkfTWT.dpuf

5 GOALS I'd like to achieve in the NEXT 30/20/10 YEARS:

1. err...Survive (& thrive:)! Not just 'be here', but still be enjoying myself and thriving as a curious, productive individual and still exploring the world.
2. Connect artists I admire with international visitors to the area I am in (could be Atlanta, could be..Munich, wherever I am, I'd like to expand my world to an international audience, in a way that sustains, supports and genuinely cares about the community I am in (and vice versa) - a kind of cultural exchange that simultaneously helps the very unfortunate to live a better a life.
3. Be able to speak at least 2 other languages fluently and freely.
4. Somehow be involved in a type of health center, combining physical, mental, nutritional practices to help diseased individuals by teaching them holistic practices to improve their lives, manage their health/disease and alleviate suffering.
5. Be a skilled, (renown?!) artist of sorts...yaaaa.

FIVE GOALS I need to accomplish in the NEXT FIVE YEARS to move towards achieving them:

1. Be true to myself, trust myself, take care of myself (by maintaining a regular yoga and meditation practice, taking courses, workshops, gaining knowledge).
2. Learn more about the art world and artists, by traveling, visiting galleries, museums, etc. and documenting this.
3. Converse more with people in my target languages (German, French), read books in these languages, study.
4. Carry on with #1:  continue yoga teacher trainings (complete 500-hour certification + other specific workshops- preferably internationally:)  Learn more about nutrition and how it directly affects one's health (or contributes towards a diseased state).
5. Practice, learn, practice, learn, practice, learn. yay! Generate income meanwhile! Take more courses like this

FIVE GOALS to be accomplished in the NEXT 12 MONTHS:

1. Heal current injuries and safely practice yoga/exercise 4-6x per week (even if short yoga practices), take walks 2-3x week.  So:  schedule chiropractor appointment(s), massage,
2. Attend local art openings, meet the artists,   So:  attend 1-2x per month art opening at a gallery (at least), read art world publications (research this- feel free to comment w suggestions!), become member of a local art museum (either High, or MOCA), maintain notebook/notes.
3. Write letters/emails in target language weekly, continue with translation work, attend Goethe/other local cultural events.
4. Attend 3-5 yoga workshops, study Patanjali sutras and books, including anatomy.  Cook healthy recipes!
5. Start an art journal- at least 4x/week.  Organize an art show (like this), take 4 art classes/workshops this year, complete a website + social media outlets, online workshops.

 Wow, that really got me thinking- ouch!  I might have to revisit this one..

A Slip in the Snow

I'll just jump right in here by squeeking in on Day 3 of the C4(ward) March Blogathon in Atlanta (despite my tardiness I'm very excited to be participating and snooping around on other artists' blogs!).

We are tasked today with sharing our favorite work:

hmmm...One of my favorite photographs was taken on a memorable morning when I lived in Munich, Germany and woke up at 5:30 a.m. to a very snowy city.  I'm not known for my early morning anythings, but I grabbed my camera, ran down our 107 stairs all excited and giddy, to the 'Friedensengel' just 2 blocks from our apartment to part of a large expanse of park (known as the 'English Garden').  It was so quiet and peaceful.  No one around, until the moment after I snapped this photo when I slipped and went airborn just as the morning's first jogger cruised by - trying not to notice me I think.  No tracks yet in this busy area located very close to the city and right alongside a heavy-traffic street.  It seemed like this little bench was lonely and cold.  And the trees seemed frozen and taller than usual.  Almost made me wish I could get out more often at this hour.

"Early at the Park" Munich, Germany 2012

Probably my favorite mixed media canvas that I've done is this small piece titled, "sich Erinnern + an, Johannisplatz" (meaning, 'to remember') because I think it's the first time that I finally felt I was able to execute close to the look/effect that I wanted to achieve, although it's kind of hard to tell here.  I'd been experimenting with mixed media and photo transfers and think I finally achieved the look I was going for and had fun putting my german notebooks to good use too!  (I always kept them thinking I would go back and review/re-study my classes, but after 8 years or so of not doing this I found another purpose for my old notes- hurray! These verbs were printed but cut into 2 parts, other hand-written notes were used in other projects)  It was also getting close to when we knew we would be leaving Munich to move back to the U.S. and I began to realize how much beauty surrounded me.  I did not want to forget all of these images I'd becomed accustomed to seeing on a daily basis.

Sich Erinnern + an, Johannisplatz 2012 (15 cm x 15 cm)

I'm happy that both of these have found nice homes in Munich, after being exhibited there in 2012.

All hung up with no place to go!

At least not for another week..so come on by either tonight or any evening after 8 pm this week to see a creative, QR coded art exhibit at Das Provisorium (Lindwurmstr. 37, near Sendlingertor).

Some experimental photography samples:

Perhaps you've noticed, I like photographing the Angel of Peace which is always there looking down at me after I turn the corner from my block onto Prinzregententsrasse.  I have experimented a bit in changing the appearance of how I see it daily.

Just hung this up this morning and it's already sold!

I froze a bit while taking these shots on my way home one night,
passing through the Deutsches Museum over this bridge (is it 'Dr. Brosch' bridge? Anyone know?)

Negative image of Sendlingertor at night.

Right across the street I live on, if you look left you'll see the Peace Angel. 
But once you've got 'Käfer' in your sights its hard to go anywhere else!

Recognize it?  One of the most beautiful buildings in Munich:  Müllersches Volksbad.

And some experimental work in mixed media (combining acrylic paint, photography, photo transfer, and schoolbooks!).  To see and read more about the process involved take a look here.

 Click on the image below to read (and see) more about what this is all about!

A close-up portion of a larger collaged piece entitled 'Contemplating the Truth about Aging' and personally relates to my grandmother who turned 102 this March.  Photo of my Grandma, 'Mildred' (left) and her sister, 'Gladys' (right)

 I have been somewhat captivated by moving vehicles at night as well lately.  At the show there is a mixed media piece also taken at this corner of Rosenheimerstr. and Am Gasteig.  I have combined the photo with acrylic paint on canvas.

Our flyer, for more details.  Come by tonight or anytime this week if you can!  (Tonight you'll receive a free drink from Yelp, our sponsor)

Mixed + Media Exhibition, March 13 in Munich

This Tuesday, the Munich Creative Group will hold another, hopefully just as fantabulous as last one, art exhibit consisting of a variety of mixed media artwork at Das Provisorium, conveniently located near Sendlingertor on Lindwurmstrasse.

 Everything you need to know..right here:

Some other fun things you should know:

** Visitors with smartphones will be able interact with the artwork on display via QR codes, which will bring up additional information about a piece, such as a written description of the artist's thought process or a video of the artist actually creating the work- how cool is that?!  We'll be able to help you with this if necessary!

**Yelp is our sponsor for this show, this means everyone gets a free drink upon arrival simply by checking in on the Yelp app or by filling out our feedback card.  Some 'Yelpers' will be there to help with this process too!

** In case you can't make it on Tuesday, 13th, fear not!  The exhibition will also be open to the public 14-18 March, evenings from 20:00.


I'll be showing some new experimental work along with 7 other international artists, this is an opportunity for all of us to try some new things but some of us will also show work of our typical mediums like painting, drawing, photography..a little something for everyone with a techie-twist to it all!
Hope to see ya!

Photoshop Fun!

Sometimes one can have just too much fun playing in Photoshop..and then one can wonder why one is not actually completing anything for their upcoming show but would have an entire, complete range of incomplete works if that happened to be the theme for one's upcoming show.  Well, it's not the theme (our theme is actually mixed + media, click here for Munich Creative Group's upcoming show, March 13) and I have always wanted to create some Munich, or other city, collages whether it be true mixed media or collaged in Photoshop.

I live near this monument, Peace Angel, perhaps you have seen it elsewhere on my blog as it is one of my favorite subjects to photograph (not only is it convenient but I think it's just beautiful).  You may also know of it as 'Friedensengel', which has a nice ring to it I think, whether or not you understand that it means Angel of Peace.

So here are my results from spielen mit the Peace Angel..should I continue down this path or get out of Photoshop and get my hands dirty with some paints, collage, transfers and who knows what else?!  hmmm...

Maybe its a bit too much like a graphic poster for something?

 If you look close enough you can see the text is mirrored..oops, I need to change this.  I originally thought I would do a photo transfer with the text.  Too busy?

OOOOOO fun in Photoshop...posterizing!  Somebody stop me...no, don't I'm just getting warmed up!

We're Having A Show!

Oh, do stop by!  The (in)famous Munich Creative Group will be holding our first 'Pop-Up Gallery' on Saturday, February 11 (see our Facebook Page for more details on this and about the group and to see the logo I designed:)  A variety of fine art photography, painting, mixed media, and more exciting stuff like musical performances and some creative writing from some very talented local artists.

I will be showing some of my photos from chilly early mornings and even chillier late nights (see my post on my other blog for a sampling) as well as a couple of abstract watercolors.

We are a diverse, international group telling a variety of stories through a range of media.  Some, but not all, of the art work will be for sale.  Come by between 2 pm and 8 pm to have a look, for more details, see our poster:

New Year...New Soup!

So I did mention that this year I would..eat more healthy, now on Day 5, I am ready to begin (burger, check..pizza, check..chilli, check...schoko muffins, tarts, check check)  Ready for some yummy and nutritional soup!

I love soup...ever since I moved to Germany about7 years ago.  I eat it more months out of the year than not here.  Takes a while for me to get tired of it but it certainly doesn't hurt to expand my soup repertoire once in a while.  Enter the sweet potato..why haven't I thought of this sooner? (Perhaps because I was inspired by a friend's soup recipe using sweet potato!  I'll have to try this sometime too!)  But for now I had to get by with what I had in my fridge:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 2 carrots
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• Chopped garlic (about 1 clove or 1 spoonful of pre-chopped)
• 1 parsnip (a key ingredient in most of my soups)
• Parsley
• Ground ginger
• White pepper
• Vegie or chicken bouillion
• About a cup of Lentils

Peel and slice the sweet potato, carrot(s), and parsnip.  Saute chopped onion and garlic until translucent, then add chopped carrots, sweet potato and parsnip.  Allow to cook about 10 minutes, or until soft (allow to carmelize a bit, but careful not to burn!)  Add herbs and spices (you can experiment with this, I did!)   Add appropriate amount of water for amount of bouillon, bring to a boil and add cleaned lentils.  Simmer for 10 minutes, or longer.  Add some salt and freshly ground pepper, and voila...
Of course, in Germany, we always serve soup with bread (not pictured here)...Guten Appetit!

You can leave it chunky...

...or puree it

Got a favorite soup recipe of your own?  Share it!