Straight sailing - in progress

 2012 is here, and with it, a fresh page on a new year.

New Year's is often seen as the chance to make resolutions to improve some part of your life.  For me, resolutions are meaningless unless they have plans attached to them.  They are simply dreams and I prefer to base my plans on something more concrete.  For the last few years I've been posting the 'business plan' for my art career for the coming year and analyzing progress at the end of the year.  Its beneficial in keeping me on track to have objectives to aim for, otherwise I wander in circles, never accomplishing what I intended.   I can still do that from time to time, but less so knowing that there are measurables involved. 

In looking back over 2011 several things jump out at me which help me plan for the coming year.  Time - or lack of it is one and stretching myself too thin is another.   I want to do everything, but seldom accomplish that, then frustration sets in.   So in 2012, I will set myself very similar goals as to the previous year, but limit myself to areas that I know will be fruitful.

Production

I will still work on the body of work with water as the subject.  It has a lot of potential.

I will continue to hone my painting skills in oils.  Using acrylic works sometimes, but I find myself turning more to oils for application ease and predictability of use and colour.  Also, oils sell.  Its an age old conundrum for artists as to what medium to use, but collectors seem to continually lean towards investments in oil paintings, no matter how beautifully other mediums are used.

I want to try more still life exercises also, more classical pieces.  I enjoy the challenge they bring in creating detail and form.

Our local art group will have a monthly painting/drawing session, nothing formal but a learning exercise for all of us, I'm sure.

Visibility & Marketing

A marketing plan for my reproductions and note cards will be created.  I need to have them travel a little around the province as well as the world.

Another couple of group exhibitions are planned for 2012, but I am looking at a solo exhibition in the summer.  There are local juried exhibitions to enter and this time I will ensure I have prepared for them in time!

With a renovated new in-house studio in the works for 2012, I will have the capability of offering small workshops in-house.  Time has been the challenge to deliver more in 2011, even with demand growing.   I prefer teaching workshops over weekly classes.  I like the concentration of a longer session to really explore technique with students. A gyotaku, a drawing and a painting workshop will be on the cards later in the year.

I'm leaving my goals a little looser this year and allowing for opportunity to present itself, with enough flexibility to act on it.   Many artists are considering a word or phrase to be their guiding force during the year.  Its a good practice to do so, to print it in large letters and put it on the wall of your studio to act as inspiration and a reminder of your direction. 

For me, the phrase would be 'straight sailing' as in this painting in progress.  The painting has one foot in 2011 and one in 2012 when it will be completed.  It will remind me to face forward and move ahead without getting sidelined.

I've created a little slide show of the creation of this piece from sketch to its current stage.