2010 in review

 Caplin - dished

photograph, Jeanette Jobson

I've had a look at my goals for 2010 in my previous blog post and used them as a measuring tool to see what I have achieved in the past year.   I gave myself twelve tasks to achieve and have completed nine of them. This completion rate is similar to what I would hope to achieve in any realistic work plan. I can always do better and learning from mistakes or miscalculation of time or market is how I continue to improve and move forward.

My main goals for 2010 were Production, Revenue and Visibility - likely the standards for most artists - as they represent what we do, why we do it, and how we help ourselves to move towards those goals.

I've looked at blog statistics and numbers are growing steadily.  Statistics in 2009 compared to the 2010 show a 28% increase in page loads, a 21% increase in unique visitors, a 15% increase in first time visitors and a 28% increase in returning visitors.

Keywords are always important as they show how they connect with the blog and if I do something to help keep those individuals on the page.  I have produced one quick sketch of gummi bears in 2008 and it is a consistent hit for individuals searching for how to draw or paint them.  Zorn palette is also another common keyword that lands on my blog as well as the entry point via a blog post on Fish, cats and ice.  I have no idea why that post comes up so frequently.
I have outlined the 2009 goals and what my plans were to reach them below.  I've used a colour code to help me visually see progress.  Green means I have completed it, yellow means its in progress, red means that it has not happened.

Production
Producing pieces of art is the essences of being an artist.

 

Bluegill - gyotaku/multimedia

Smelt - gyotaku/watercolour

I will produce a body of work in gyotaku.  This will be a minimum of 8 large pieces that are cohesive and connected and that will be exhibited at a local gallery. I am hoping that it will be tied into a grant, but if the grant doesn't materialize, the work will still exist.  I will simply have to work harder to produce other pieces to support its existence.    

• I have completed this body of work and additional prints are still in progress as it spills over beyond the required task.

 I will continue to produce portraits of both people and animals for pleasure and commissions.  

 

Masai woman

 

 The artist's mother

 

Katie - commission

• I have completed a number of portraits this year, some for pleasure, some for commissions.  Commission numbers grew by 18% compared to 2009.
• I sold 43 pieces of art this year.  Not enough to give up the day job yet...

I will experiment in other mediums and become familiar with them.  

 

 Lionfish - batik/watercolour

• I spend time perfecting the technique of gyotaku;   
• I experimented with learning and sharing a technique of faux batik.  
• I reacquainted myself with acrylics and their benefits and drawbacks.   
• Early in 2010 I used frost as a new medium!

I will take a portrait class with Gerry Squires.   I have wanted to do this for years, but timing has always clashed.  Its not cheap to do, but well worth it in terms of information learned from him

• I still have not found a class at the right time, but I will persist until I do.

Additional work:

• In late summer I started a series of paintings of Hidden Rivers in St. John’s
• I have produced paintings of fish and water in watercolours, oils, acrylics and dry media.

Visibility
I haven't devoted enough time to network with other local artists in the real world.  The online art community is vital and important, but the real world is often where more art sells and I have neglected that.

I will become involved in the creation of a local artist's group to draw or paint with, exhibit with and learn with.    

I have tried off and on during the year to start a group, but have had no success to date locally.  There has been nterest internationally online. 

I will become a member of two other art organizations locally that will increase my visibility and allow me additional opportunities to show my art.    

• I am a current member of The Nature Printing Society, Eastern Edge Gallery and Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

I will submit art to the provincial Art Bank, Arts and Letters Awards and to a minimum of two juried exhibitions.   

• I submitted three pieces of work into provincial Art Bank, but they were not accepted. In 2009 I di have a piece accepted.
• A piece was submitted and is currently under review for Arts and Letters Competition.  I will know status in the spring.    
• I entered a piece in the Artist Magazine Multi Media competition.

Addtional work:

 

Kisses for Haiti Ebay Charity Auction reproduction

• I produced the first monthly newsletter in September 2010 and have done so on the 15^th of the month since.
• In January 2010I held an online auction to raise funds for disaster relief in Haiti.  Kisses for Haiti raised $255 in the sale of a Purity Kisses 12 x 18" reproduction. The proceeds went to Doctors without Borders.
• I revised the look of this blog and created a ‘brand’ that is used on email signatures, blog, etc. 
• I created dedicated pages on the blog for sales, tutorials, etc.
• I created a new business card to reflect my gyotaku direction and tie in with the project
• I am near completion of a book about the process of The Gyotaku Project what will be available in 2011.

Revenue
Art is the bread and butter of artists.  At this point in life, no I don't need it to exist and yes if I did, it could be a tenuous existance.  However, I want recognition for my work, tangible recognition for my creativity, years of learning and hard work.

I will produce and market prints and greeting cards of my work through local stores as well as my Etsy shop.     

• In September I signed a contract with Heritage Association to distribute Purity Kisses and Merry Christmas Hares in print and card form in select Heritage Shops.
• I marketed prints and portraiture commissions on Kijiji and through Etsy  
  • I created pages on my blog to market art and prints. 
  • Gyotaku note cards are being used by a local restaurant for promotion/thank you cards.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I will apply for a local grant to support the creation of a body of work,   
  • My application for an professional arts grant  was approved by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (NLAC) in May 2010 to produce a body of work in gyotaku.
  
  I will develop drawing and painting tutorials which will be for sale online.  I would like to produce four of these as a minimum.   
  
  
  
  • Two tutorials available for sale on the blog, another tutorial is complete will be available free of charge before the end of the year; 
  • Two additional tutorials are partially completed
  
  I will market and offer workshops in my strength areas of drawing, coloured pencil, gyotaku and watercolour.   
  • I have provided private drawing lessons to individuals, but have not had time to offer structured workshops. A gyotaku workshop planned for March 2010.
  
  I will hold an exhibition of works for sale.   
  • Bacalao  is currently holding a preview of gyotaku prints December – February.    
  • An exhibition of gyotaku project planned for spring 2011.

Within the next couple of days I will share some of my plans for 2011.   Have you reviewed your year yet?