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Wishing everyone a day full of love and wonderfully positive energy!

I love the fact that I'm putting a doodle up for the first day of the New Year, as this year I'd really like to approach my art with a more relaxed feel, and put my perfectionist-bully away -- and these little sketches are so enjoyable, drawn with less 'serious' attention to having a 'final result' in mind.

The fact that this particular doodle is of a heart is perfect too, as it's a reflection of my gratitude for everything in my life: being of sound body and sound mind, having a roof over my head and food in my mouth, and being able to work at something I love, as well as having such amazing, positive support from my family and friends, both off and on-line.

Here is the original doodle, sketched out in a hand-made book crammed full of lovely, coloured kraft papers that I found at one of the local markets. There's a particular joy I find in drawing in a book that has been created with love, especially when you get to actually meet the people who crafted it so beautifully.

And here's the doodle in close-up ...

As usual I got carried away, cleaned it up and then played with colours, placing it against ... red (the original), blue (see below), lime green, yellow (I didn't put those up here as I thought it might be toooo much), then changed the black outline to white and set it against a pink and black colour scheme ... and really, I could have covered all the colours of the rainbow, I was having so much fun, but I stopped there. For now.

Valentine's Day is coming up, and as we're trying to get some new designs up for it, my Heart Motif (in all its colour variations) will be joining the queue, so watch out for it on cards and gifts at my online stores soon!

2012 was my year of education and of building a stronger foundation for the future. I've made huge changes in my life and work, all quite amazing, and I'm now hoping to build on those, and look forward to exciting challenges this year. I am filled with gratitude.

I have a long way to go as yet, but I'd really like to thank my online friends who've been with me from the beginning of my journey, when I stumbled around trying to draw straight lines (of course I now know that they don't have to be straight, but I had to figure that one out bit by bit), and those of you who have recently joined me, for being so hugely supportive. I would never have continued with my art journey these past 6 years, without the encouragement and motivation I found online. Blessings, and a brilliant 2013 to all of you. Cheers.