It’s 2008. And I have decided that this will be the year of commitment. No, not to Wilhelm, he’s already got that. But commitment to my artwork and craft. Over the past couple of years, I have gotten a lot better about my work ethic, but there’s always room to better oneself. I still have a problem with consistency. My work ethic tends to ebb and flow. When I have a lot going on or if I have deadlines, I am pretty awesome. But if I don’t, then I lollygag like no one’s business. It’s almost like I do better under pressure. Well, completing the work anyway. My emotional state is less good in those moments. So, I’m making a stronger commitment to consistency this year. I mean, after all, they say that it only takes 2 weeks for something to become a habit, right?

I have a bunch of other art-related goals too. I think it’s just important to write them down. I think it makes you more accountable. Even if its only to yourself. I might put a permanent link to this entry somewhere. Reminders are always good.

Here are the goals that I am going to try and reach this year:

Focus on Drawing ONLY : I have an annoying habit of trying to be all things. I want to be a painter, a sculptor, a photographer, and the list goes on and on. It never works out and just overwhelms me. So to alleviate such things, I decided to focus on one form of art this year. I chose drawing because, and I’ll admit it, I feel safe when I am drawing. But I have never really given drawing the credit its due. For the most part, drawing is the basics for almost every form of art (almost). I think I’d like to explore it more for what it is rather than as a means to an end. Plus, drawing will allow me to explore media that I haven’t really played with in a while. It should be noted that this drawing rule will probably be broken with regards to school since I am already enrolled in a Chinese Ink Painting course.

Focus on Human Anatomy/Figure Drawing: This was a project that I wanted to start near the end of last year and due to time and other projects, it kind of fell to the wayside. But, its back! I have a specific game plan for what I want to accomplish that doesn’t really need to be addressed here. But needless to say, I am very excited to start!

Sketch EVERY day: The golden rule of artists is that you should sketch everyday. It helps you get better and helps you brainstorm creative ideas. I like that idea. I just need to put it into practice.

Join a local Art Group: This is one of the important ones. I often feel alone in my artistic universe. I need to come out of my shell more. Plus, I think I’m a better artist when I am around fellow artists. So far, I am looking at the After-Thought Art Society or the Untitled Art Society .

Try and be more active within online Art communities: Along the same vein with the previous goal, I’m going to try and be more active within online communities such as WetCanvas or ArtPapa by posting more and even submitting my work for critique. Having a support group of your peers can do wonders for you. Updated on August 15th, 2008: I’ve started posting on WetCanvas pretty regularly. I’ve even started showing them some of my work.

School: Ah school. I will be graduating from my Visual Design Certificate program this year (after I complete my Chinese Ink Painting course). Woo! But then I will need to look ahead to what I would like to accomplish next. There is a Studio Arts program at ACAD that I am considering. I also need to figure out if I am really committed to completing the Master Design Certificate program through SAIT. Right now, I don’t think I am. I think I’ll continue to take courses as I need them (like the Actionscripting course), but I don’t think I have it in me to commit fully to the certificate. Updated on May 9th, 2008: I can cross this one off methinks. I have figured it out. I’m graduating (officially!) from the certificate on June 19th and will start working on my Bachelor of Design or Fine Arts in January 2009 on a part-time basis until W finishes school - then I can go back fulltime! Well, after I improve my high school English mark. Updated on August 15th, 2009: I’m so schizophrenic when it comes to school.  I think I have decided to continue taking continuing ed art courses to improve my skills; but a degree just seems like a bad idea right now. I am getting older and welp, I want to devote my finances to fun shit like traveling - not bogging myself down with more education debt.  Either way, I think I can say I am finished this goal for 2008. Heh.

Submit to at least one show: After having such a positive experience with the U of C art show this year, I think I’d like to try submitting my work to other shows. So, I’m giving myself the goal of submitting to at least one show. Hell, it might even end up being the U of C show again, but that’s something! I do need to work on my portfolio before any of this though. Updated August 15th, 2008: Visual Design Exhibition runs from September 2nd to September 30th!

Tweak Website: I need to tweak my website. There are things I’d like to change. I just need to find time to change them. Completed as of January 10th, 2008!