Last-Minute Catch-Up Post

One of my fondest memories from working in the lab was a late-night lab-notebook-writing session so that my lab mates and I could all witness each other’s work before the upcoming deadline. That’s the vibe going on in the art lab right now.

Lab Notebook Entry

I thought I learned a new planning strategy worthy of a newsletter article. Especially this last-minute, end-of-year, make-up-for-skipping-the-last-3-months post. It was going to be epic. But the irony of writing about how proud I am of my newfound thriving creative life while simultaneously growling at my husband for disturbing my writing time made me throw out the earlier drafts.

I have no life hack. It’s all trial and error. My current experiment is this 3-word combination:

• Reflection: Journal and create art to integrate my experiences into who I am becoming.

• Compassion: Practice mindfulness and grace to clear the slate and choose with intention how I show up. Each new day; every new minute. Again and again. And again.

• Courage: Build a brave habit toward my vision of a better tomorrow. Even if it’s uncomfortable, I strive to have the courage to meet my fears, to show them compassion, and to take the next brave step. Together.

Big Questions

These are the big questions me and my inner characters will be asking in 2025:

• Dream: What is the beautiful dream you hold in your heart?

• Action: What is the one thing you can do for that dream today? To hear it, see it, feel it a little better? To make it reality?

Latest Art Lab Announcement

We launched a website: www.jennytanartlab.com! We’ll be updating it throughout the year. Here’s a peek at what my lab mates think of it:

On the Bookshelf

Recommendations:

• Hello, Fears by Michelle Poler

• The Brave Habit by Todd Henry

• No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz

Currently Reading:

• Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

• Do Better by Rachel Ricketts

• What Fresh Hell is This? by Heather Corinna

Summary

Thank you for witnessing my first year of art lab notes. Happy experimenting in 2025!