Last year I talked about the top 5 songs that reminded me of certain times in 2013. I wanted to do the same thing this year, but I listened to so many different songs and so much more happened this year that i found it difficult to separate them and narrow it down to only 5. I’m sure I could, but excluding the rest doesn’t accurately reflect the music of my 2014. So this time, I have a representative playlist of 10 songs, that reflect, in order, what I was listening to and the songs I associate with certain times of the year. Some hold special memories of their own, others are just the songs I had on repeat for a while and have thus become ingrained in my head as reflective of a certain time. Without further ado:

1. Don’t Forget Me– Red Hot Chili Peppers

2. Sexy Ladies feat. 50 Cent– Justin Timberlake

3. Reflection– Girls’ Generation

4. Skinny Love– Birdy

5. Do I Wanna Know?– Arctic Monkeys

6. Happiness– Red Velvet

7. Wake Me Up When September Ends– Green Day*

8. Whisper– Girls’ Generation TTS

9. Holler– Girls’ Generation TTS

10. Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge– Marilyn Manson

(*I was listening to this in September… hmm.)

The final month of the year. I’ve been thinking about various goals and resolutions I want to achieve, but after enough thought, I decided what I have already been doing is a good resolution to continue with. Something created or achieved every month. That way I have freedom, but also a deadline to have some sort of finished product.

This month I hoped to have my current painting done. My estimation for it was 60 hours or so, but it looks as though it will take more like 90+ hours. I’m 45 hours in, but not finished… again. However, I am proud of what I came up with this month. I went to Port Fairy over Christmas. I usually go there every year or two. While there, I decided to take some photos and capture the space. Its very pretty and different to the city. The beaches and quiet streets were captivating. And I’m very pleased with the photos I took. I am still an amateur when it comes to photography, but I can definitely see a lot of improvement happening. Here is a selection of my favourites; the rest can be found on my Tumblr page.

For the next month and the next year, I hope to be more proactive in achieving my goals and being creative. 

I found it more difficult to get things done this month. I spent a week recovering from surgery and wasn’t able to paint or practice anything really. I did work further on my current painting, however, that piece is not close to being finished, so I can’t show it as this months ‘thing.’

Instead, this month was the month of planning and inspiration. I’ve been discovering new music and sketching out ideas. I have an idea for a triptych, and I also made the decision to take up the painting elective at Uni next semester. I miss art classes and having people to discuss art and creativity with. I enjoy Media but the people don’t seem to get as excited about these things there. As well as the sketching and brainstorming that I’ve done, I’ve started creating an inspiration collage wall. Most of my door area is covered in things like this, but I’ve decided to extend it onto the surrounding wall. I found a collection of images from my Tumblr page and ‘likes,’ and interspliced them with works by my favourite artist; James Jean. I  have around $70 worth of printing credit in my building at Uni, so I abused my access to the HQ design printers, and made these lovely prints.

Additionally, I have been steadily working on other little projects. I’ve started knitting again and am working on a media piece. But I don’t expect they will be finished very soon. I anticipate for December I should have finished my large painting.