Friday 8 January 2016

No expectations, no pressure, just fun and play

New year, new goals, dreams, intentions. One of them is to blog more often, and here we are, already a week into the new year, and I haven't posted anything until today. But I'm also keeping one of my biggest intentions in mind, that of letting go of expectations, of the pressure I tend to put myself under. In life, in my art, in everything. And instead to just do the job, as good as I can.


I want to spend a lot more time in my studio this year, and to figure out where I want to go with my art. But most of all to just paint. Without expectations. And to help me take the pressure off things, I've come up with a little project or challenge for myself. A little 25x25cm painting on paper, just to explore, experiment and learn. One a week. Of course it can be more than just one a week, and it's not the only thing I want to do, but - no pressure. Last weekend I did the first one. She turned out a lot more pink than I expected, but that's alright too. After all, the whole point of this exercise is to let go and have fun. A pure practice and learning experience.


I've been reading a lot of complaints on social media about the weather some are experiencing at the moment - cold and snow. And how they feel they are/have been born in the wrong place. Well, I certainly feel that too. But the other way round, as I am made for snow and low temperatures, but unfortunately, we're not having any of it here at the moment. Being up in the alps, going for a walk in the early morning, the crisp cold snow scrunching under your feet. The air so cold that with every inbreath, the hair in your nose slightly freeze together. The first rays of the sun appearing behind the mountaintop, transforming the thick layer of snow into a carpet of sparkling diamonds. Coming home with your cheeks red and burning from the cold, warming yourself with a big mug of steaming hot chocolate, before going out again to spend more time in the beautiful winter wonderland.


How I miss the alps. And winter. After that terrible summer (that's my definition) of 4 months of sunshine day after the day, and temperatures well above 30 degrees C, I think I deserve a proper winter now. But temperatures are still closer to 10 than to 0, and there's no snow in sight. But I haven't given up hope of Sunday walks in the snow yet. And another of my intentions for this year is to go on the one or other day trips to the mountains this year.

30 comments:

  1. Love your painting, and it's a great idea to let go of pressure ad just do things! Hope you get to see some snow, Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  2. EIn tolles Portrait ! Viel Erfolg beim Umsetzen der Vorhaben!
    Happy PPF!

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  3. Letting go of expectations and enjoying the moment is a great way to start the year. May it be a good one!

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  4. Great painting and aitude to the future.
    Have a happy day and wonderful new year xx

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  5. Fabulous art and photography. Happy PPF

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  6. Funny how some people just love winter. I guess I am not one of them, mainly I figured out because I must go to work and come home and then clean out the snow...how much nice I think for me if I didn't have the pressure of having to go out and deal with it sometimes at its worst. But I love your lady today...she is very pink but I think she is someone who calls for pink. Enjoy your weekend!

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  7. I think letting go of expectations is the best possible resolution and it is exactly why I decided towards the end of last year to blog less or at least not pressure myself to always have something new to blog about every week. Like you, I have so many things I want to paint but sometimes having to many ideas can be overwhelming and not knowing where to start I end up procrastinating and doing very little!!
    I can't believe you don't have snow in Switzerland - the weather has just been horrible. Like you I do love a 'proper' winter although we rarely get them here and when we do the UK is just never prepared for the snow and everything comes to a stand still!! Your description of winter is perfect and is why we love to go away on 'cold' holidays in November time because we never get that sort of cold here! Although I still love summer and your terrible summer sounds perfect to me too!! I just miss proper seasons!

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  8. Really lovely portrait! As Nic says I think letting go of expectations really frees one to be in the moment and go with the flow. Although I do love the beautiful wintry scenery my body does not cooperate very well with the cold so I am looking forward to warmer weather. I do hope you get your snow and mountain trip. Happy PPF!

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  9. I am one of those people who love winter, too. Our winter was like that last year. Just felt wrong to not have snow. I hope you get some of that beautiful sparkly white stuff soon!

    I am trying to just play more with art this year, too. I want to be looser and just plain play more in my new studio and not worry what it looks like--yes! I like your pink lady. Enjoy playing!! :)

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  10. That's a great little challenge you set for yourself, and I love the first result! Yes, winter has been a bit weird this year, and guess what: I love it! Those 4 months of sunshine sound like bliss to me instead of terrible... But living in Switserland like you do I can imagine you're longing for some snow. I do hope you get some soon! (as long as it stays away here ;-) )

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  11. Love the idea of LESS pressure! Nice to meet you--I am getting into photography myself. Just acquired a Nikon D200 and am loving it. Pondering a smaller point and shoot--maybe I'll just stick to my iPhone for the quicky stuff. I'm new around the blog world. Happy to say that I am a new follower. Dea

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  12. You just gave yourself the best New Years gift ever! Now you can really ENJOY....and see what comes! Challenges are good just to inspire, but pressure is hard on the soul! I love all her pink....it's gorgeous! I am with you, I love the crisp winter weather best of all...however my mobility and body doesn't!! I still love it though!! Always have! Hope you get some snow!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. Vilken bra idé med en liten målning i veckan. Jag blev inspirerad och gjorde något liknande idag. Vi får se om jag lyckas göra en i veckan :)

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  14. Your painting is lovely. The photos are wonderful as well. Give me sunny days, every day and I will be happy. LOL

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  15. Love your painting.it's quite beautiful. I, too, have tried to let go of expectations and not put so much pressure on myself- like blogging more often. I think this year i am learning to play more.

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  16. Beautiful painting and wise words but what takes my breath away are those fantastic photo's. I've never been to Switzerland, but I have it in my plans for one day.
    Happy PPF to you

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  17. your snow photos are really awesome, and the lady in yor art looks a bit mischievous i think


    much love...

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  18. I love your painting.And the photos look so peaceful.Happy new year...

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  19. Blogging more often (at least once a week) is also one of my goals! I was slipping to twice a month, sometimes less last year! I always felt I had to post a finished painting, but of course that's not true at all. This year I'll be posting more Studio tips and works in progress. Letting go of expectations is a good idea too. I prefer to aim for rather than expect! Happy New Year - although it already seems a while ago now! :0)

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  20. really great painting and photos. Congrats on being featured this week on PPF. I hope you enjoy a relaxed and inspired year of painting.

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  21. I have been feeling the same thing about letting go of expectations! Love your paintings and pics!

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  22. Lovely work and Happy New Year Katja! Beautiful winter photo too.

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  23. Congratulations on being featured on PPF this week!
    I love your little lady with her roses & a bit of mischief! My primary word for this year is "Joy" - & I your pull to let go of expectations & just be easier on yourself goes right along with that! Your alpine photos are lovely - I hope you DO get some snow & winter soon!

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  24. Very inspiring post. Love the painting and the photographs. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  25. Awesome painting and expression! I am NOT made for winter, haha! I take your goal "No pressure, just fun" and make it my own the next time, thank you ♥ Conny http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  26. What a lovely painting and very worthy goals! One of mine is to do more art, very inspiring post! Beautiful photographs too.

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  27. Beautiful painting!
    I too enjoy cooler rather than hot temperatures.
    Here in the Washington, DC area there is a lot of excitement for our first and perhaps a record making snowfall or blizzard as they are calling it.
    I feel like a little child full of excitement also grateful that I can enjoy the snow and not worry about driving in it.
    Being kinder and gentler with ourselves helps us in so many ways.
    Enjoy ♥ Enjoy!
    oxo

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  28. It's very pretty..love the pink. She looks gorgeous!
    Here it's too hot...getting hotter!

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