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Happy New Year Everyone!
It is the last day of 2022 and I am writing this as I look out the window in my studio at a chilly, white world with pale grey skies. I'm so glad to be warm and cozy inside! I've been dealing with a cold for the last few weeks so mostly its been lots of hot tea, movies and word games on my iPad. We still had a lovely Christmas celebration, being able to share it with our children who were both home at the same time for a couple of days. This doesn't happen too often so I treasure these times.
Between the holiday activities and my cold, I haven't been in the studio much this last month except to finish a couple of pictures for friends and mess around with some doodling and stuff. What I did get done is the year in review I talked about in my post last month. Nothing fancy - just a simple list scribbled on a piece of paper which will be taped into my sketchbook. Here's what I've learned from this exercise.
1. The highlight of my year was going to the Arts West Art Retreat in June. I felt like I'd found a new home, and it opened up something in me that allowed me to move forward with a new confidence in my art. This tells me that getting around other artists is important for support and to help me grow. It is something I should look to do again in 2023.
2. I realized I had quite a few "firsts" this year, like placing my work for sale in the local museum gift shop. These all took me way outside my comfort zone but I'm so glad that I did them. Some were a great experience, and some I now know I will never do again! I wouldn't have known this if I hadn't tried, so I should plan for more "first" experiences.
3. More of my art activities were related to the business of art and less on the actual art making. This surprised me. Next year I need to make sure that I have more of a balance. Making art is the best part after all!
This is probably the most thoughtful I have been of all the past reviews I've done. Mostly its been a list of what I've done and a list of what I'd like to do - concrete, technical steps like learn how to paint with gouache (which I'm still working at).
It feels this year I'm leaning into how I'd like to grow as an artist which is exciting, but also scary because I have no idea how to do this or where it will take me. I recently listened to a podcast (sorry I can't remember which one it was) that talked about being an artist means learning to live with being uncomfortable, because that is where the great art comes from. I guess I am looking at giving myself a year of uncomfortable!
I will post about what I do and how it turns out here on my blog. And I'd really love to hear from you - have you stories or advice to share? Is there something you did that you think myself and others should do or something we should avoid? Are you just starting your journey like me? Your experiences will be so helpful whether you are at the beginning of this all or are further up the path. So thank you for sharing.
As for me, I've three large ideas of what I'd like to do in 2023. I think my next step is to get a little more detailed with how to make this happen so I have more definite goals to shoot for. I'll let you know what that is in the next post.
Until then, wishing for you a year of artful joy!
Leah
