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One of my favorite annual rituals is to reflect on Accomplishments and Aspirations. That said, it's not always easy to climb out from under the covers or steer clear of the Tree and other holiday diversions, such as that box of chocolate truffles that's been trying get me recently. Perhaps you can relate!

Accomplishments 2014

In the Accomplishment category No. 1 on my list is having not only survived but enjoyed my first entire winter in northern Michigan. Inspired by the record-setting snowfall, I made lots of paintings with wintry subjects. Perhaps because someone had told me (in error, as it turned out), "No one ever buys snow paintings," I painted purely for my own pleasure. I found the whole notion of painting landscapes "à la mode" not only amusing but delicious.

It was well into April when I began to long for sunny skies, green grass and open water. Feeling a bit rusty after painting in my studio most of the winter—my one outdoor painting, from the front seat of my car, is titled "4 Degrees"—I signed up for the Plein Air Event hosted by The Old Art Building in Leland. I was pleased that my efforts won the People's Choice Award, and also sold.

Early in my art career I noticed the success of one person is usually tied to the success of many others. In the spring, I was honored by a Mother's Day reception hosted by Randy and Mari Chamberlain at their classy restaurant Blu. Their support, for which I'm very grateful, helps me show work in a beautiful (and delicious) Up North setting.

The summer brought with it warmer temps and hundreds of appreciators and collectors to my Frankfort Studio and Gallery. I was pleased when one of them turned out to be the new owner of The Frankfort Hotel where I show my work. Judy Remmert has a clear vision for revitalizing this iconic structure and is already off and running with implementing her plan. (Stop by and see!)

Quite a few artists made their way to the Studio this summer too. I offered an Open Studio in late August that filled in 2 days! 8 artists of varying experience came to my studio to practice their art for 5 days in a row. I also offered beginning Oil Painting instruction lessons. I love teaching and mentoring it's gratifying to work with committed artists and much insight into my own work is revealed in the process.

Other stuff: I was honored to have one of my painting images, "Cherries à la Mode" selected for the Holiday Card of Benzie County Home Health Care. They tell me the year-end contributions may be up as a result! Also, I honored myself with a whole new series begun in early November in Puerto Rico. I'm very excited by "Vieques Complicado" which to date consists of 3 paintings but promises others going forward.

I've omitted details about some accomplishments. A serious illness in the family has made it seem incredible I managed to get any painting done at all. With awareness that I needed to paint in order to stay relatively sane and take care of myself, I managed to create a week away in a cabin with to do nothing but make art near Sleeping Bear. My love of the light on this land continues to nourish my art and spirit. For all of this, and for you, my art-appreciators, I'm very grateful!

Aspirations 2015

You might think it easier to come up with things to list in the Aspirations category and for some it may be so. I've recently seen, however, that I tend to block myself from aspiring to too much. Like Mole, a favorite character in the Wind in the Willows, I find myself conflicted about leaving the cozy nest of what I've already accomplished for the larger stage of What Might Be.

So please bear with me as I attempt to articulate the first inklings of my Aspirations for 2015 and beyond:

New Horizons, New Directions:

Outer Work. Painting, painting and more painting. Always the context in which other stuff happens. I typically complete 75-100 paintings a year this year I may go for fewer, larger works.

Inner Work. Staying too close to the familiar, both figuratively and literally, is a habit I'd like transform in 2015. I see how in some arenas I've perhaps been stuck in unconscious patterns of holding back. I aspire to let go and let loose.

Travel. I see some travel to new places in my future. A painting trip in February to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico appears to be first on my list .... I'm also heeding the urge to pack up an RV or a van and travel to the Southwest. I'm hearing as well the siren call of England, France and Italy ....

Less Facebook, more Real Face-to-Face Encounters:

Teaching: We've insulated and sheetrocked the garage to serve as a great studio extension. I plan to offer another Open Studio August 24-28 and, possible, one in June. Stay tuned. Plus, I'll be announcing an April Vieques Outdoor Painting Opportunity soon!

Speaking: I believe the ideas in my book 7 Habits of Deeply Fulfilled Artists deserve a wider exposure. I have one engagement, at the local Congregational Summer Assembly , already scheduled for July 13. I'm open to more! Do you belong to a group that would enjoy learning How to Fulfill Your Creative Potential or The Inspired Life and How to Live It or some other topic? I'd love to see what we can work out.

Completions: Dare I mention the books that lie in wait in my computer, the Unity-Midtown tapes that cry out for editing? We'll see ....

That's all for now. If you have a list of Accomplishments and Aspirations you'd like to share, please post a comment here. We can all you a lot of inspiration!

Happy (& Beauty-filled) New Year!

Ellie