Happy New Year!
Graphite Sketch of Slim
In the past few years I have come to view the holiday season as a time to take stock and be thankful for all that has occurred during the year. I also use the month of December to focus on friends and family. Now with the celebration of Christmas behind us and the commencement of a new year I have spent some time today and during the past week to plan and establish some new goals.
Typically this mental “cleaning house” also coincides with the physical cleaning and organizing of my desk and filing system. So I have been busy this week organizing and moving some furniture around all in preparation of starting the new year off well. With my house physically in order I feel am better able to commit to and take action on the resolutions I have set for the upcoming year.
Here are the main goals I am going to work towards this year:
1. In 2009 I will dedicate time to the exploration of different techniques and mediums. Currently I focus primerily on painting with oils. I want to spend some of my "art" time exploring soft pastels, watercolor, drawing, and woodblock printing in addition to oil painting. I have already signed up for a drawing class with Robert Liberace this winter term at the Art League as my first action to incorporate this goal. I also spent my freetime today sketching instead of painting. The sketch above is of my kitty, Slim.
2. In 2009 I will carve out more time to read. My current reading list is:
-The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
-Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting
-Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
-Civilisationby Kenneth Clark (the TV series is also great!)
-A book on composition, maybe this on or this one
3.In 2009 I will work towards transitioning my career focus to being a full-time artist. This is by far my most ambitious goal. As it will require me to organize my life in a manner where I take a break from the profession of architecture. I have the support of my husband, Steve, and my friends and family I have shared this with. So it is just a matter of getting everything together and being comfortable with the transition when it will take place.
Well, here are the goals set for 2009, I will evaluate the status each quarter to see where I am and to see how I may need to tweak the game plan as necessary. In reflectiong of 2008 I realize it was a challenging year for so many of us. I am hoping the past difficulties were just the rough part of the road leading to a smoother journey in the year to come.
What are your plans for 2009?