Venturing Revisited (part 1 – the GRANT!)

you might recall that my word-of-the-year is “VENTURE” – you know- stepping out, trying new things, taking risks, etc.  i’ve kept a venturing journal to document ideas as well to list the venturing i have actually done – both big and small things.   it’s november and 2 things have happened this week prompting me to realize how my little venturing efforts have unfolded….  

 early in the year, i had an idea for what i called the inside out project (“discovering what’s inside and bringing it out.”) my goal was to get art journaling kits into the hands of women who were dealing with difficulty and to help them in getting started with this potentially healing activity. 

 i really had no idea how to go about this.  i bought some simple art supplies and put some journaling kits and prompts together.  i did a workshop with some teens in a homeless shelter and gave them the kits.  somewhere along the way i discovered (actually a friend tipped me off at exactly the right time!) that there was a grant available that could fund a project like this and could actually PAY me to do it!  that was in february and i submitted my application in march.

 after a loooong wait, i found out yesterday that i GOT THE GRANT!!!! starting in january, i will be teaching art journaling to a group of women veterans living in a transitional housing unit not far from here.  wow.  i’m humbled, honored and, yes, a teeny bit nervous as well.  it runs for a whole year…. i’m sure i will be learning right along with the group.  looks like another year of venturing may be in store!!

 i realize these pics don’t have much to do with the subject…. except they represent another VENTURE and that is instagram (all edited with iphone apps) 

 stay tuned for part 2…