RESOLUTIONS VS. GOALS

         A new year comes screaming in with cheers and singing and fireworks and we’re all revved up to get in our studios and start some new projects.  We’ve made all kinds of great resolutions:  we’re going to paint everyday, we’re going to try some new techniques, we’re going to visit our favorite art supply store and get some new materials.  Then we walk into our studio, face that blank canvas or piece of paper and all of a sudden, it’s the same old fear – where do I start?  What do I do first?  Maybe I’ll just clean my work space.

My Studio just waiting for me to get to work.

        This year, I’ve taken a slightly different approach.  Instead of making vague and general resolutions, I’ve taken some time to think about how I see myself as an artist in the next month, the next six months and this next year.  I’ve asked myself “is there anything specific that I would really like to do?”  “Can I measure whether I’ve achieved that?”  I’ve made a list of goals and assigned a completion date to each one.  This may seem like putting unnecessary pressure on myself, but I’m a goal-oriented person and knowing I have deadlines helps get me focused.  I love experimenting with all kinds of art and that’s great, but to produce a “body of work” requires discipline and concentration.  I intend to read over these goals each week and revisit them on July 1^st to see what I’ve accomplished, perhaps add some additional goals and revise the ones that haven’t worked.

                Here are three of my goals for this year:

·         Complete a series of 10 or more abstract paintings by June 30^th

·         Blog at least two times each month

·         Enter one National show by June 30^th

PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS POST and let me know if you have resolutions or goals for 2017 or if not, what motivates you. HAPPY NEW YEAR.