Blog: 2016

Hello 2017

 

Dear 2017,  

I have hopes for you – we will make you a good year! And so …I have been thinking of what I would like the word for you to be. You know…just in case that you, 2017, are also taking my word too literally. So my word for you is

I know some might think that is a cheesy word, maybe a bit too crazy but as John Lennon said

So I want to make peace, do peace, be peace and give away peace …and maybe…2017 .. you are in with me, I would really like you to!!! 

Loves, Nat

To all of my readers out there- thank you for all your support and love the last year – you made me happy and I am so grateful for your support. Have the happiest, healthiest, most successful, and creative year ever.

Nat

Comments (5)

  • gloz

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    A wonderful quote and great idea to start off the year 2017.

    Reply

  • Daniela Rogall

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    Dear Nat,
    I wish the same for you.
    Greetings from Germany
    Dani

    Reply

  • Gloria J Zucaro

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    PEACE! Just wanting some quiet peaceful, loving times!

    Reply

  • Linda. Faber

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    I wish the same for you Nathalie! Thank you for all your talent, inspiration and generosity through the year. And of course, now I’m hooked on Art Foamies!! Love the batik! Excited to Jumpstart with everyone in 2017! Peace, yes and love always.
    Linda

    Reply

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A Farewell to 2016

Hello 2016,

you have been such a strange year. I had high hopes for you! My word to live by with you was “Badassery”. I intended it to mean that I take more action, be more firm, stop procrastinating and seize the day, take opportunities also …just finally feel more at ease with myself. Well …partly I succeeded. Being the most wonderful one, that I accomplished a long time dream of mine and wrote a book …in English (yes, that was pretty Badassery for a Kraut, or so I think) and I cannot wait for it to be out in 2017. I took opportunities and worked a lot this year …maybe too much. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed working, but I felt as if for every step I moved forward …I moved three steps back. But the steps I leapt forward were some of the coolest ever and I am excited about those and I need to remind myself to think of those instead of the steps back. It is a dance after all.

But, unfortunately, 2016, you took “Badassery” to a whole new meaning,  you really kicked my behind …and many others. There is a German word that sums up my feelings for you in general, 2016 , it is called “Weltschmerz” – literally translated “World Pain” – it means – a feeling of melancholy and world-weariness – . So many terrible things happened around the world, some of them just recently -and you could feel the pain everywhere. …and so I am saying farewell to you Badassery aka 2016 – with some relief. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Be sure I choose my word for 2017 wisely …that I learned, 2016!

Yours truly, not so badassery

Nat

Comments (6)

  • susan debourguignon

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    yep, i am ready for 2017, too. enough of the pain to last. these last couple if years have seen such tragedy in our world … why can’t people just be kind? that’s my word for 2017 – kind. that’s what we need. but, for folks like us, badassery was a fine word, too. nathalie, i look forward to your new book!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      I love “kind” as a word too Susan- that is a wonderful word! Happy New Year to you!!!

      Reply

  • jjflair

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    Ah, Nat, I was just thinking about “Weltschmerz” the other day! Yes, let’s stuff that away when we shut the door on 2016. I love how how described life as a dance with steps forward and steps back. :) Wishing you a wunderbar 2017 full of creativity and disco, tango, salsa and swing!!

    Reply

  • Dee spillane

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    I couldn’t agree more! 2016 was badass in a bad way. You were in a great way. Loved the start with Jumpstart. I think that and several things kicked off my creativity and Jumpstart was key. I did more art. But it was such a hard year too. So long 2016, glad to see you go! Hello 2017 great start with Jump Start.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe Thank you Dee -seeing you again in Texas was a highlight for sure for me too! Let’s rock 2017 :)

      Reply

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Bada$$ery ….or In My Art Journal Today

Instead of a New Year’s Resolution I, amongst many others, pick a word that I try to live by in the new year. Last year it was light. Well…that didn’t work out too well to be honest. It was as if 2015 was Opposite Year just that I didn’t get the memo ;)

But …I have high hopes for 2016 – It is going to be an awesome year – I know it!

NatKalbachBadaW01

Now my word choice might sound harsh to some , please don’t feel offended by it – that is not the intention behind it. I have no plan on being a rude or mean person, no worries! I just feel like I have to take more action in several parts of my life, instead of waiting for others to come to me, be more firm in some ways and to some people, stop procrastinating and seize the day,  take opportunities without questioning myself too much or what others might think of me and also …just finally feel more at ease with myself. I think I can call it summed up “Badassery” – LOL

NatKalbachBadaW02

I felt pretty badassery scratching the work into wet spray paint …hahaha- see how “far” this word takes me ;) I also obscured some of my writing around my feelings and thoughts by spray painting and painting over it. I made some marks with stencils, brushes, self made foam stamps, palette knifes and dripping. I think the beautiful decayed houses and graffiti I admired in Buenos Aires last month influenced this page a lot.

NatKalbachBadaW03

Do you have a word for 2016? And did you visualize it in your journal or sketch book? Share with me if you want- I would love to see it!

Here are the supplies I used for this spread

nSupplies



Nat

Comments (10)

  • Andrene

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    EEK!!!! I love the elephant!! Cant wait to get it and use it with your elephant stencil which is one of my faves! All of the sets are fantastic and will definitely find a home with me!

    Reply

    • Andrene

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      Sorry! For some reason this posted under the wrong blog entry!

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Heheheh – I love this post… even read it to hubby who also keeps up with you thru me Nat!!! We both were totally laughing and saying YES YES YES…. you got it… sounds GREAT – you go girl!!!!

    Loved your journal page too – it’s soooo fun.

    I don’t have a word. I have never done that before…. and I have thought and thought and thought but I just don’t have one. I have been a giver ALL my life… in fact find it hard to receive. I’m not a gracious receiver at all!!! So… I thought of the word FAVOR… because for once… it would be so fun to see something I did succeed (like to seel a painting – heheeheh) or for some tiny dream of mine related to my art to come true. But then I decided that sounded so selfish!!!!!! And I have no respect for selfish people so I threw Favor out too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW… I’m overthinking!!! Anyway – enough rambling!!!

    WE LOVE YOUR WORD….. j.

    Reply

  • michelleward

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    Awesome page Nathalie. And great word for you. Taken with the spirit intended. I don’t do word-for-the-year, but if I did I might swipe yours :)

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  • Donna B.

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    Interesting you chose that word, Nat. For many of the same reasons, I’m going to choose the word “Movement” for me — but not only for the reasons you meant, but also, my word means that I have to get out there and exercise as well. Let’s hope our words work for both of us!!

    Reply

  • Gayle

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    I was slow deciphering that word, then looked it up! YEAH! LOVE IT! Here’s was a great definition: “Engaging in seemingly impossible activities and achieving success in a manner that renders all onlookers completely awestruck.” Now that’s a tribe I definitely want to be a part of. All the best in living out your marvelous word.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love your word and not sure what mine will be this year.
    Leaning towards SIMPLIFY with a focus on getting rid of many physical belonging that are taking up too much space in my house and getting in the way.

    Reply

  • Denise Spillane

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    I love your word and your spread. Very cool. You are badass and always inspire. Happy New Tear my Badass Teacher and friend (FB). You are great.

    Reply

  • Jenny Petricek

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    Gritty textures and great color combo! A perfect way to ring in 2016!

    Reply

  • Kelly Belton

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    It ‘s a great word Nat – always empowering!

    Reply

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