Putting art first! Ha!
At the beginning of 2010, I posted the following blog titled:
“resolutions for my art making process”
Here’s how I did.
January: My plan is to put my art first over art “support” activities that take up precious creative time.
End of year: Actually, I did cut down on the number of art related social networks. I originally had almost thirty sites of which I followed and participated in regularly. Now I am lucky to follow 10!! I started a Pointillism Art Facebook page which keeps me busy; and use Twitter and LinkedIn regularly. My works have been featured in multiple social networks and pieces are occasionally selected for juried online events. I truly enjoy the discussions and conversations/feedback I get and give in the social networking process.
In 2010, I successfully began selling my artwork as canvas & paper prints at Fine Art America and became contracted with their Disney/ABC affiliations. I have also found several great business printing sites for printing on metal, canvas-wraps, greeting cards, pillows, clothing, and gifts for my “limited hands on personal sales efforts”.
Two of my most rewarding online accomplishments were to coordinate two art competitions which led to actual interviews with the winning artists. See the Eric Dee and Max Eberle interviews. These received lots of press and interest. I plan to do this every year in the future. It’s fun and nice to focus on “other artists” for a change!
Currently, I am a finalist in an online contest with a specific outdoorsy fashion product line. Yea! Should I win, my painting, “Dead Icon” will be used as a backpack design. Wish me luck! (Voting begins January 3rd!)
2010 was the first year for me to pay for magazine advertising. See Southwest Art‘s December issue. I plan to continue this quarterly in 2011 as new works come about. I joined a international contemporary arts group that facilitates the process for these ads. I’m hoping for some bites from potential customers and collectors.
I also cut back on local art group activities and meetings. I didn’t do any shows or sales affiliated with these groups in 2010. This was a relief and much needed reprieve. Initially as a “closet artist” I needed to reach out to groups for support. However, I have found that the friendships I made from these groups is most important and they continue outside the actual group’s parameters.
Aside: Okay, I know this sounds like a lot! And some of these activities DID limit studio time; however, I feel good about what I did get accomplished as a “networking artist”.
January: My plan is to create so much art that I will be forced to get it out in the public, somewhere other than my studio.
End of year: I took the risk of participating in a vanity art gallery and consignment boutique in Scottsdale. However, after several months, they closed and sort of nipped my confidence for a bit. I did, however, apply to several juried shows and was selected for a few both locally and in New York.
Other local pursuits have been to engage in local charity (s), museum benefit auctions, and organization awareness building activities. I continue to do a monthly blog for a local arts organization and was feature in their online magazine. They have been wonderful confidence boosters. Who knew giving my art & time away could be so rewarding?
I helped organize a new group of women artists and we created new works for a group exhibit at the local state college performing arts center. We plan more group ventures in 2011.
I also provided multiple on-site pointillism demos and a month long exhibit of “Elvis Art” at a local museum. I received some good publicity for these events. Publicity means I needed some quality personal promotional photos so I hired a local photographer to get the job done. I recommend doing this every year.
However, my studio remains jam-packed with art and stuff. Help! I need a major overhaul in there. Goal #1 for 2011 is “Clean Up!” If my mother were alive, she would say, “It’s a health risk in there!”
January: My plan is to use all my blank canvases that I currently have stockpiled.
End of year: There are still a few left but I did not buy many new canvases this year. It’s odd choosing a canvas size first prior to determining a painting’s subject. Usually, I choose the canvas size based on the proposed theme. This was a great challenge.
January: My plan is take my old paintings that have served their purpose but are no longer representative of my style and paint over them.
End of year: Couldn’t seem to force myself to do this unless they were paintings I never liked at all. Those were easily painted over.
January: My plan is to use up all my paint no matter how much I dislike specific colors in order to learn to appreciate new color mixing.
End of year: I still have a lot of old paint but did incorporate some in active paintings. My frustration comes from the different fluidity levels of these older paints. Some are just too thick for my needs. What can be done with old acrylic paint? Any ideas?
Regarding experimenting more with color mixing: I have engaged color studies while teaching a new student color theory and my creative writing efforts on my book in progress. It never hurts to re-visit & explore the basics.
January: My plan is to complete at least one painting each week.
End of year: Didn’t happen! Well, maybe once or twice…..What was I thinking? Actually, I may still pursue this goal for 2011. Ha! It never hurts to be ambitious as an artist.
January: My plan is to take my dreamed paintings and make them real.
End of year: I blogged about it and did create at least ONE dream painting this year! However, I focused more on paintings for specific needs, exhibits, customers, etc. This has proved disappointing and will be a continued challenge for 2011.
January: My plan is to incorporate un-interupted “studio time” on my daily planner.
End of year: My weekly planner is full of non-art related activities and I didn’t even have a daily planner! However, I do think this is a good goal for 2011! First step: Buy a 2011 Daily Planner!
January: My plan is to stick with the plan.
End of year: Even though I didn’t stick entirely to my 2010 plan, I did make some significant sales this year and believe that making goals as an artist has helped me dramatically.
January: My plan is to avoid deviation unless it increases my productivity.
End of year: Ha! Ha! Ha! Avoid deviation? Ha! Ha! Ha!
Have fun with your 2011 goals!
