Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goodbye 2011

On the eve of a New Year - so much has happened in 2011 with lots of growth both personally and as an artista. 

What an amazing time, with a new year ahead.  A whole year, 365 days to create, enjoy, and grow!  But, before I go on about the upcoming year, I want to take a moment and reflect on my accomplishments in what will soon be last year.  I finally plunged into my art....head first.  2011 was filled with discovering my creative self, refining my skills and just painting, painting, painting.  I had many failures, but I had many successes. 

My heart is always drawn back to watercolors....I just love the many and varied ways they can be used, but even though I love the medium, I also realized that I particularly enjoy black and whites.....an odd combination, I agree.  The exciting discovery for me was that by combining mediums (watercolor and acrylics) I can continue embracing both loves - black/white and watercolors. 





2011 will always be dear to me, as it was the year that I sold my first painting!  WOOHOO.  Okay, I know it isn't all about selling and should be about creating, but what a confirmation it was, to have someone pay me for what I love to do.  Not only did I sell my first piece, but I also had a successful show (not exhibit, but craft show).  Yes, I sold work, but more important, I got out there.  I put myself (my heart, my emotions and my soul) on display, and it was well received.  Another giant step forward. 



What promises does 2012 hold?  Mostly, I am now approaching my painting more as a business, and not so much as a hobby.  This year, I will no longer make time time here and there for creating.  The goal is to dedicate solid time to my craft.  I don't want a day to go by without having art in it - whether that is painting, drawing, journaling or simply looking at other's work.  For myself, the longer I am away from it, the harder it is to get back to it. 

Along with dedicating time and space each day to my work, I am also going to create a web page for myself.  The 21st century is here, and it is time I joined in.  Look out cyberspace and make room for my web page, face book and tweeter accounts.   And, of course, I will make a concentrated effort to keep my blog current (okay, I know I have said this before-but, it is a new year after all). 

I also must ask myself, what will I get "rid" of in 2012.  First on my list, are the distractions.  Not only the "things" that distract me, but also the people.  You know who I mean - the people who have nothing to do with their time, so they also want to waste my time. Farewell distractors - you know who you are. 

With much excitement, I wait for the approaching year.  Happy New Years Eve and may you all have a prosperous, creative 2012.