Coming Full Circle: |
I also wanted to add here that I got back to sketching with just fine black pen this year, getting Back to the Basics, as I like to put it. If you would like to see my pen sketches, I show them inVlog 1 and Vlog 2.
Well, that wraps up my 2022 Year in Review! It’s been a fun ride, an interesting journey and I look forward to what is in store in 2023. I do hope you will join me as we continue our creative journeys together; that makes it so much more fun, doesn’t it?
I am always here to cheer you on, to encourage and inspire you and even empower you to take those first steps, choosing courage as you determine where you will express yourself as only you can do!
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!
Here’s to 2023!
And I wish you the very Best of Beginnings!
Dawn’s Vlog #2 has Come to You!
In this post, I am sharing my 2nd Vlog, a new venture here at Refresh with Dawn Herring, giving you a peek behind the scenes, where I share my thoughts on what I’m up to, topics that are of interest to me, plus wardrobe selections. And I’m having fun!
The topics I cover in Vlog 2 are an inside view of my new theme song, Beginnings, which you can watch on my home page here on the website. I also chat about my take on social media, why I choose to be present in various outlets, especially in connection with you, my friend! I also share a sketch update and do some “show and tell” with art supplies.
I also chat about decluttering and what a difference it has made for me. (If you want to read and watch about my decluttering process, please click here.)
And another topic is about my 2 decks of cards I use for insight and connection with Spirit and where they come from. (Not tarot related.)
And of course, my wardrobe picks!
If that is of interest to you, then you’re welcome to watch the video! I have chosen to create a time stamp so you can choose your topic of interest if you’re thus inclined unless you just want to watch from start to finish!
Vlog 2 encompasses 4 days, 2 in late November and 2 in early December.
I hope you enjoy, are inspired and leave a comment about your favorite subject matter that I chat about. I’d love to hear from you. Your feedback is highly appreciated. And you're welcome to share what Your Beginning is right now. I'd love to support and celebrate with you!
And I wish you the very BEST of Beginnings!
Beginnings Theme Song Release!
This is a very special post to me because I am sharing a brand new song that I received basically as a surprise in connection with this new blog, Beginnings. I’ve been working diligently behind the scenes, working with lyric, melody, tempo, and composition on the piano in readiness to share this song with you, dear friend.
The reason why I’m so excited to share this is the Message behind it. My aim and goal with this song is to encourage you, inspire you and empower you as a Creator in your own life, giving you the impetus to take those first steps, with courage and bravery, in whatever way you are choosing to do.
I have shared the lyrics to this new song, our theme song, Beginnings, with the purpose to giving you something to run with, sing along with, to buoy you up, especially when you could use a little uplifting in your journey.
If you would like to learn more about my experience with receiving this song and writing the lyrics and what that has meant to me, you’re welcome to watch my first vlog here. I explain it in detail.
Let me just say here that it is a gift to me as a Creator and I want to pass that gift on to you!
I hope it deeply resonates with you. Please let me know if it becomes a source of encouragement to you in your
creative pursuits! I’d love to hear from you.
Beginnings
Words and music by Dawn Herring
This is your Beginning
Just knowing Who You Are
This is your Beginning
Look how You’ve come so far
Beginnings are the Magic
That spur You on
Beginnings Reveal
Where You’ve come from
Beginnings are the Place
Where It Starts
Beginnings are the Promise
That Sets You Apart
Believe in Your Vision
In What You See
Believe in Your Power
To Make It Be
Believe in Your Knowing
That Shows You How
And Watch It Grow to Be
From Just a Seed
To a Flowering
You are welcome to watch the video so you can hear the melody; and then you’re welcome to sing along!
I hope it’s a song that resonates deeply and gives you courage to keep going toward your creative dreams!
Believe in yourself as a Creator; Trust Your Intuition; See yourself doing what brings you the Greatest Joy and then take one step and then another until you’re on a roll! And then keep going!
You have a Creative Gift that only you can fulfill. Use it to make the world a better place.
And we will Celebrate together!
Because here at Refresh with Dawn Herring, Beginnings Are Celebrated! And so are YOU!
I wish you the very Best of Beginnings!
Dawn Vlogs!
In this post, I am sharing my very first video log (vlog) where I talk about and share new art, pen sketches to be specific, my experience with new music and my thoughts on a video project which is already published on my YouTube Channel, which you can access here on my website.
I decided to record some behind the scenes footage to share more of my thoughts and intentions with my creativity and with my content that I share here on my website. This is a new venture for me and I'd love to know what you think!
I've been inspired by other artists who have vlogs and decided to try my hand at it; if you like it, please give it a thumbs up on YouTube and leave a comment below on your favorite part! I hope you are inspired in your own creativity; that is my aim and goal always.
Thank you for watching and supporting my YouTube Channel and my presence online as a creator.
That means a lot to me!
And I wish you the Best of Beginnings!
My Decluttering Journey
First a little backstory. I have done major house Declutters several times over the past 5 or 6 years, referring to various Decluttering experts and their published books for reference and inspiration. And I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff as a result.
This time around, I have been more recently inspired by a funny and practical person; I found her initially on YouTube and subscribed to her newsletter. I’m referring to Dana K White of A Slob Comes Clean. I love watching her videos where she features different areas of her house that she is decluttering with her tips and tricks and her unique decluttering process that she uses personally and teaches others how to do.
One of the things I love about Dana is that she focuses on intuition as your guide, a way to trust yourself to know where to put things. I won’t get into the five step process she uses but I have followed at least 3 of her steps and it does help reduce the overwhelm when it comes time to declutter.
I’ve been through all visible spaces, bathroom and living room cabinets, as well as a full wardrobe and jewelry declutter (and I'm still taking stuff out!). I still haven’t finished my whole space (more kitchen to do) and really, you never do. It’s an ongoing process to keep up the reduction of clutter over time. But I’m pleased with what I have accomplished; and it motivates me to keep it up.
I think it helps to start with a visible space that doesn’t take up a lot of room. That’s where I started. At my dining room table. Yes, I have several items I keep there and I completely decluttered and revamped what remains and how I store it.
It also helps to “shop” in your own home for storage solutions once you remove what doesn’t need to be there. I found myself exchanging containers from one place to another, and it worked out nicely. One basket was on the table; I moved it to use it in a drawer instead. I also moved a black mesh office organizer from that drawer and chose it for the dining room space and it’s perfect. One clear plastic dish was in that same drawer and I moved it to the kitchen to hold items in one place. Yes, it’s helpful when you don’t have to buy anything!
That leads me to decluttering my Jewelry Collection. It was an interesting experience for me to go through it. I’m big on jewelry and hang on to things longer than I should in some cases, so it was time. Using Dana’s process, I removed what was worn or broken, some stuff I just don’t wear, and made some space for new pieces. I have found right away that since I decluttered my jewelry, I’m now wearing pieces that I wasn’t wearing before, and I’m happy about that. There is less to choose from so it simplifies decision making when pulling a look together from my wardrobe.
I shared the various pieces I let go of and put a video together (see above) to share what I removed so you can learn about my thoughts in the process. I hope it inspires you to do some decluttering too!
It feels good to let things go that are no longer needed, that are worn out, or simply what I’ve outgrown; it helps me recognize how I’ve changed and what I still love and why. In a way it’s like shedding an old skin and fully embracing the “new” me. It’s a Fresh Start. Like a New Cycle of what belongs to me and why I choose to keep it in my space. I will keep an eye on what I could let go of in the future, being mindful of how my belongings make me feel. Because I do trust myself and will know when it’s time. And that’s a good feeling!
Journaling Prompt:
What do you feel Iike you need to “shed” right now? What items in your wardrobe are you hanging onto that no longer suit your style? Do you have collections that have been piling up and need paring down? Record your thoughts on decluttering and brainstorm where you would like to start. Keep it simple and easy and reward yourself for any progress you make.
I wish you the BEST of Beginnings!
To Begin Anew Illustration: Reflections on Design
For this post, I will be sharing my thoughts and creative process for the Illustration, To Begin Anew which you can see in the above image. In addition, above you will find the actual demo video you can watch if you would like a peek into the actual making of the illustration. (In it I include an explanation of what I’m doing, plus background music, a piano rendition of my spiritual song, My Way Home.)
I had so much fun thinking about the concept for this illustration.
First was the element of Celebration, thus I determined the figure would have her hands raised in joy and happiness at Beginning Anew! Her eyes are raised in gratitude and anticipation for the inspiration she is ready to receive as she Begins Anew.
Second was the element of New Growth, thus I chose the motif of leaves, vibrant in color, which continues the motif chosen for my Beginnings Illustration which you can view here. I loved including varying hues of green which represent newness, growth, vibrancy and life!
Thirdly, there is the element of Trust; that To Begin Anew requires faith, not only in receiving what is necessary to make something happen, but faith in ourselves, that we have what it takes to bring it to pass. It’s believing in our skill set, in our intuitive knowing, in the magic that is within us to create! That is certainly worth celebrating! Yes!
And lastly, there is the element of the Heart (thus the heart motif), where what we believe and see and desire to do comes from our hearts, and there is a pureness in our desire as creators in this life to make what only we can make. We love what we do and we want to share it with others so they can benefit as well. I think that’s such an important aspect in creating. There is a time for creating just for ourselves, but there can also be an aspect of joy when we share with others and they respond in a way that delights us. Community can be so important, especially when we might need a little boost in confidence when we’re in the muddy middle!
I had so much fun creating this illustration, To Begin Anew, and I am glad to share it with you. My intuition is often my guide when it comes to the design elements I choose, the color schemes, as well as the energy with which I create that I bring to the table.
Thanks so much for your interest in my art; it is a delight for me to share it with you, my friend!
A Journaling prompt for you:
What are you celebrating today? What do you want to celebrate but haven’t yet? Remember, even the smallest of things you accomplish are worth celebrating. Write a list of ways you can celebrate just with yourself as well as with others who support you and get your vibe!
Where are you experiencing New growth? Are you excited about what you are experiencing? What is the dominant emotion and why do you feel this way? Detail it in your journal. List off ways you can encourage further growth from where you are right now. Do you Trust yourself to follow through on this new growth? What is your intuition telling you to do next? Your desires matter; give them space to get seeded and grow!
I celebrate with you!
And I wish you the very Best of Beginnings!
I wrote the spiritual song, The Eternal Now, last year (2021), when I had a lot of questions about the future. There was so much changing on the home front and I was looking for answers. My first place to look is always through prayer, but sometimes the practical side of life seems to require an external source. And when it doesn’t come right away, or there are too many options concerning the subject matter, it can sometimes be overwhelming.
In recent years I have come to understand that much frustration and angst can result from looking to the future to the point of struggle rather than being in the Now. I found that the more I spent time just focusing on what I could do in the Moment, the more peace I felt.
Another issue I was addressing was Trust in the Divine; and when I choose that Trust, it brings even more Peace.
So my spiritual song, The Eternal Now, was my way of expressing this understand that Now is all there is and all that matters in the moment. And in that Now Space, Wisdom resides, bringing clarity and direction and that inner knowing, a powerful place of Intuition we have all been gifted with.
And when I experience this energy within myself, I no longer look outside of myself but within, where Divinity lives and moves and blesses me with Presence.
I have offered the lyrics to The Eternal Now below. I hope it lifts and inspires you!
I look to Now
For the Answers
As my questions turn to dust
I look to peace
in the place
that requires I must
I see the space
that is open
Timeless and True
I rejoice
In the knowing
That comes from you
From within
I am certain
From within
I know
That you are here
And I am with you
I rejoice
In the Eternal Now
Journaling prompt:
Is there a situation in your life where you feel like you need external answers to your questions?
Do you find yourself looking to the future and wonder if NOW is where you will find peace? Detail this situation in your journal and list off ways you can become more present from moment to moment. As you implement these ideas, record any change you experience in contrast to any struggle you’ve had with looking externally. Also detail if an answer came when you least expected it as a result of your presence in the Now.
Note: Music (both video and lyrics) are Copyrighted to Dawn Herring, 2022
Beginnings Illustration: Art Demo Video
For this blog post, I wanted to share with you how I determined the design for my Beginnings Illustration (which you can see above). I was excited to consider how best I could represent the Idea of Beginnings as the new theme for my website and blog, as well as show the topics that are closest to my heart that I love to share with my friends which include Art, Illustration, Music and Journaling.
The initial idea was to use new leaf growth as a motif, the freshness of the start of what could potentially become a full grown beautiful plant benefiting the caretaker of such a delight. Then I considered how I present them, on their own as well as in pots with soil.
The leaf motif is full of vibrant color, that new yellow green that happens to be one of my favorites! I find this color so inspiring and I’m very attracted to it, whether it’s a plant or tree with the sun shining upon the leaves, really enhancing the beauty of such life.
It also represents to me possibility: we can really use our imaginations of where this new growth can go. What does that represent to me as an artist, an aspiring musician, and journal keeper?
It also represents to me new cycles. Each new plant begins as a seed and then this fresh new life reveals itself as it pokes through the soil, as if saying, celebrate with me! It encourages me as I make my way into a new project, new song, new art, new love, new discoveries, new curiosities!
It all takes action, persistence, devotion, decisiveness and even confidence and courage! Yes!
The figure holds in her hand this newness and is ready to see what it will grow into. She is optimistic and ready to move step by step into what this moment holds.
And I think that’s the key to Starting Anew, to Beginnings in themselves.
Instead of looking too far ahead, we can stay in this Present Moment and relish this New Start, this New Season, this New Cycle and what it may contain. One step is all it takes.
One note is the start of a new melody. One pencil mark is the start of a new illustration. One word is the start of a new journal entry. One seed is the start to a new garden. One tap of a key on the typewriter or keyboard is the start of a new story.
It all starts with that first step. And an idea or a concept or a plan…
So what are you starting today? Every thing you do each day is a new start. Think of all the Fresh possibilities that await you! Or maybe just think about one. And focus on that next step, putting your whole heart into it. Fully present, ready to take on what’s next.
Feel the excitement, the pleasure, the satisfying sensation of moving forward.
And if you feel a little unsure, that’s ok too. Step into that Courage that is available in your heart and go for it anyway. Your intuition will guide you.
Hold the possibilities in your hand and smile.
Because this is just the Beginning!
(and I’m Cheering You on!)
Here’s to beginning anew!
Author
Dawn Herrings is an Artist, Illustrator, Aspiring Musician, and Avid Journal Keeper. She enjoys spending time writing songs, composing for the piano, playing with all kinds of art media, including colored pencils for illustrating, exploring design and textures, having fun creating spreads in her art journal and writing about her day, her dreams and her vision in her journals. Dawn is also Office Manager and partner in business with her husband, Bill, of 33 years.
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