2010 - Looking a Whole Lot Greener

I always believe that you should start the new year off on a positive foot. No matter how challenging the year before was, the new year can only be better - right?. This can be accomplished in many ways. Just by thinking and believing that it will be more rewarding and productive is a great start

Sometimes, you need to plant seeds in one year in order to grow in the next - one of my personal favourite things to do. I always look for ways to grew personally, artistically and intellectually.

For instance, a few seeds I sowed last year, have sprouted, and already 2010 is looking a whole lot greener.

Artists Network of Riverdale: In 2009, I joined the network in hopes to further understand the artist market and surround myself with other like minded people who are just as crazy and eccentric as I. I volunteered on a few of their functions, where I expressed interest in becoming more involved. In December, I was 1 of 5 new board members voted in to sit on the new Executive board . I look forward to sitting in on my 1st Exec meeting this January.

Canadian Association of Photographic Arts: Also known as CAPA. A certified GTCCC judge now for a few years, I have been judging many various club competitions. A very rewarding experience that has exposed me to many different artistic styles and amazing works across the GTA. In 2009 I took a CAPA judging course to brush up on my skills. From there I applied to CAPA for my judging certification. I was still thinking that I would need to complete other duties to qualify. You can imagine just how surprised and delighted I was to get the official confirmation from CAPA notifing me that I was now one of their official Certified Judges. With only 26 judges listed in Ontario, this is quite an accomplishment.

So don't be afraid to throw on those overalls and rubber boots and toss a few seeds in the air. With a little optimism and work, you just never know where they will land and grew.