This is the time of year when I record my art goals for the new year. I don’t call them resolutions because there is nothing to resolve. To me resolution eventually equals guilt! Instead I set goals.
The practice of writing them down seems to have a large effect on meeting them. I may not even look at the list again during the year but when I do I am always surprised by how many of the goals have been achieved. The other thing is I don’t share my list of goals with anyone. I want to keep to myself the energy connected with making and achieving them. I work the same way. I never share work in progress as my enthusiasm for it leaves.
As I reflect back on my 2011 list I did well. The list was not especially long but I have switched my volunteer toggle from auto-pilot to conscious. I have many gifts and talents which are in demand by non-profits. Too often I have found myself working hard for a cause and feeling nothing but dread and regret. There has to be something in it for me, which I believe not to be selfish but living consciously.
Every year ‘spend less time on the computer‘ is on my list. I suppose it is true this year. I did spend less time on the actual computer, because I spent more time on the iPad!
Make larger work: slowly I have developed larger work. Because I stitch with a machine designed for the home, I am not into 80″ x 80″ yet! I have considered buying a long-arm machine but not thrilled with the idea. I am more into the get rid of stuff stage of life than the acquire more stuff stage.
Smell the roses: I certainly have done that the past 2.5 months since I had knee surgery. My post-anesthesia short attention span seems to be fading as I am now enjoying studio time once again.
There are two items on my 2011 list that I did not achieve so they go to the top of the 2012 list. In August when my October surgery was scheduled I gave myself permission to advance these two to the 2012 list as I was busy making art and did not want to switch to the left brain for these marketing tasks. As I am coming round to working in the studio again I still don’t want to work on them. The time will come when I will…in 2012.
Happy New Year!