Friday, December 19, 2008

How'd I do?

"Cool Reds" ACEO
Coloured pencil on Mi-Teintes
Copyright Rita Woodburne


So today is the day of the end of the year review. We’re having a nasty snowstorm today so I guess I couldn’t have picked a better day to plunk myself down in front of the computer and do this. Below I’ve listed the goals I set out for myself as I divided them between artistic goals and business goals:


Artistic
- Continue my focus on incorporating more colour into my work
- Continue my focus on pushing values
- Have two separate projects involving studying one of the Masters. I’ve already picked out the two I’d like to study and when I’d like to do them so stay tuned for more info!
- Do a really large piece (large for cp and myself anyway), something 16x20 inches or larger
- Concentrate on creating pieces with more dynamic composition
- I had fun in 2007 with using watercolour pencils in some of my pieces and the effects it gave me so I’d like to try and work them into more of my pieces for 2008 so I can become more comfortable with using them. That said, getting my hands on some Neocolours would also be a viable alternative.
- I also had oodles of fun doing still-lifes, presumably because they were a nice break for me from doing animal pieces and commissions. I’d like to make a point of doing more of them in 2008 with the intent to create a series of equine based still-lifes (the series goal may carry over into 2009).
- Improve my photography skills to take better reference pictures and images of my artwork


Business
- Make more contacts within my local art community
- Become more active in the local arts organizations I am a member of which will include attending meetings, gallery sittings, etc.
- Be more organized in my book-keeping (remember, I said it makes me grumpy)
- Be more disciplined in my use of time
- Make my art fair booth more professional looking and start to keep a journal of viewers comments and what other artists are doing in their booths in terms of set-up, display, functionality, etc.
- Set up a daily checklist for myself during the work week with daily goals (a small white-board will be a wise investment)

"Rising Wind" ACEO
Coloured pencil on Mi-Teintes
Copyright Rita Woodburne


I think overall I did pretty good. The things that I didn’t accomplish are doing a larger piece and I really didn’t use my watercolour pencils at all this year because I simply didn’t see the need to with the pieces and supports I’ve been working on. I also haven’t been very good with my book-keeping but, to be honest, that I didn't keep up with that one isn't really a big surprise to me.
I would’ve liked to be more active in the local arts community than I was but I did manage to attend some show openings. I also improved my photography skills but I would’ve liked to spend more time working on that aspect of my plan. I can justify calling it a success because I became more familiar with Photoshop which, of course, helped with editing my pictures to make them of a better quality.


So that’s the review for 2008. I think I can pat myself on the back rather than slap myself on the wrists and I hope that I can avoid buggering up my back again in order to make 2009 a very productive year.

My blog will be quiet all next week as I have lots of pre-Christmas planning and then, of course, the big day itself. I suspect that there will only be one other post before the year is out as the Other Half and I are entertaining friends over New Year’s and we have to get ready for that as well.
So, with that in mind I hope that you have a wonderful Holiday, dear reader, and I’ll check in with you before the year is out. Have a wonderful Holiday celebration and keep on art-ing!

4 comments:

Ann said...

From following your progress here I would say you had a very successful year! Lots of beautiful art and a good many exhibits too. Hope you have a merry holiday :)

Rita said...

Thanks Ann! :)

After all I've learned this year I'm looking forward to an art-ful 2009. A happy holiday to you as well!

Lisa B. said...

Wow. This is a first... Google just ate my comment. Hmmmm, I didn't think it was that bad.

Anyways, you get an A+ for the year Rita. Great job!

Rita said...

I don't think it was bad, instead I'd go with the assumption that it must've been very tasty, Lisa.

Thanks for the super grade, I'm hoping I can shoot for an A++ next year. ;)