Monday, December 31, 2012

Dreams for 2013

 

New year boat sm

I’m not a resolution maker.  They are far to easy to break within days of being made and then I feel all guilty and less inspired to produce or reform and so on goes the circle.  So I call them dreams.  

We all dream.  We dream of practical and impractical things.  We dream in our sleep and when we’re awake.  We are also in complete control of our dreams (well, except the one where the dark shape is waiting under the cellar stairs…) and choose to make them become reality or not.  Yes, we are in charge of the outcome.  When we are unsure of the unknown or afraid of failure we throw up many obstacles to put in our path as to why we ‘can’t’ do something, but never seem as enthusiastic about tossing out solutions about overcominb those very obstacles and making dreams happen. 

Many of our obstacles fall into one or more of these categories:

Obstacle # 1:  I haven’t got enough time.  My whole day and evening is accounted for.  Every    single     minute.

Obstacle # 2I haven’t got enough money.  Insufficient funds for _______ (supplies, framing, marketing, travel, you fill in the blank'.

Obstacle # 3: I don’t know how to do it. Lack of technical skills

Obstacle # 4: They’ll say noFear of rejection.

Obstacle # 5:  I can’t be bothered.  Apathy.

Fear is often the culprit, hand in hand with rejection behind the obstacles. These are the bad boys who bully artists constantly, push them around and control their lives.  They list in mocking tones all the reasons why we won’t succeed and how we shouldn’t even try. They smirk in satisfaction when we fail.  But just watch them retreat like scalded cats when we push ahead!

Lack of time and money are excuses too.  There are always ways to find both. Get up earlier, go to bed later.  Ignore the housework.   As for money, you will find a way if you really want this.  Art grants, cheaper supplies, bartering, sell other things you own. How badly did you say you wanted this??

Apathy.  Art is hard work.  And its not for whiners who are unwilling to put in the hours to make it succeed.  Yes, that sounds pretty mean, but its true.  No one’s going to come knocking on your door and discover you.  No one’s going to introduce you to others at an art opening.  No one’s going to produce your paintings for you.  If you don’t care, neither will anyone else.

As a visual artist, some of my dreams are loftier than others.  Some I know I can tackle and win, some I know will be more of a challenge and I’ll have to be creative to get around obstacles.

Think about how you can get around each obstacle.  There are ways.  NO EXCUSES!  If you make excuses, you’re feeding your fears.  Push them back and keep heading for your dreams.  You WILL get there.

Some of my dreams for 2013 are:

Produce a new body of work

Representation by a new gallery

Deliver an online workshop

Update my gyotaku book to include more technical information

Produce a minimum of three short information videos and ebooks

Create a series of reproductions of gyotaku prints

Experience an art retreat

Produce a minimum of three significant drawings in dry media

Of course, other things will come into the picture as the year unfolds and I will need to prioritize which of these goals become my top three through analysing marketing, opportunity, timing, etc., etc. and be prepared to stick with them, no matter how enticing A, B or C are when they show themselves.

However, all of them are achievable.  And I have all the obstacles ready, just as you do, to throw into the path of success.  The key is to really think about how badly you want to achieve a goal; what exactly is needed to achieve a goal, and to work out a plan to reach it.

What obstacles get in your way?   What are your dreams?  Make them happen in 2013!   Dream big and step outside your comfort zone.  Take the boat out of its safe harbour and find a new adventure.

Happy New Year.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy New Year to you too Jeanette.

Dream big, you certainly do that and I will endevour to follow your example.

Apathy is my downfall combined with I'll just look at.... on the internet, which leeches time.

Hope 2013 brings you happiness and inspiration.

ew.ka said...

szczęśliwego Nowego Roku !!! powodzenia przy realizacji Twoich zadań :-)

Unknown said...

With goals and desires like yours, you are going to have many successful moments in 2013. If you can say each day that you did something productive that moved you toward one of your ambitions, then each day will have been successful!

Cathy Holtom said...

Some thoughts that ring true with me, an inspiring post. Happy 2013!

Rose Welty said...

Happy 2013 Jeanette! I hope many of these dreams come true for you (by you, I suppose I should say ;-). Perhaps even a dream or two unseen...

Jeanette Jobson said...

Sue, we all have our weaknesses and most artists share some. I agree, its easy to go down rabbit holes online and waste time. Its a challenge for everyone to stay focused in that area.

Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku dla Ciebie również i dziękuję!

All I can do is try Katherine. I need to make some dreams come true.

The very best for the new year Cathy. Thanks for taking time to read and comment.

I wish all good things for you in 2013 Rose. I think our dreams and plans will see life this year.

Lydie said...

Useful advices to print and let near me at all times. I wish you a very happy new year 2013

Jeanette Jobson said...

Happy New Year Lydie, I hope it is a wonderful one for you.

Celeste Bergin said...

I like how you think, Jeanette...you are serious! My obstacles? Well, I socialize too much! Seriously, I do. I need to spend more time alone...it would make me knuckle down more. I'm sure of it.
Meanwhile, thanks so much for nominating me in the Generating art category at Making a Mark. That was so great of you! I am not one to care about blog awards.... but I confess..I totally liked THAT one and the great things you wrote about me!
Sometimes I have wondered...ok, whyyyy am I blogging again? Then something like what you did for me happens and I say...ok! blogging mission restored! You're the best! :)

Jeanette Jobson said...

Celeste, it was my pleasure to nominate you. Your dedication to painting and sharing are always an inspiration to me.

If you socialize too much then I'd love to see your production levels if you're solitary! :)

One thing I have found when I wonder why I blog or if I'm just talking to myself is that many people are watching silently and taking notice.

Happy New Year and a very successful year for you Celeste.