It’s not quite 2009 yet, but since I am at home and battling a horrible cold. I’m supposed to be at work because no one else from my team is in, but I am really very sick. So screw that. They were closing the office at noon anyway. Nice way to start a new year, huh?

Anyway, I thought I would start reviewing 2008 and figure out what my artistic goals will be in 2009.

2008:

Overall, creatively and productively, I think 2008 has been my very best year! I have committed to my artwork and continued to create. I have become a lot more consistent with my art and less “doing it in spurts”. It has been completely and totally awesome. While I didn’t succeed with all of my 2008 art goals, I completed almost all of them and that makes me pretty damn proud of myself.

I think the best thing about 2008 is that I have started to figure out “where I belong” artistically. I’m obviously a portrait artist, but with the introduction of the Prismas, I know I am so much more. Too often I have complained that I never know where I fit in or what kinda artist I am, and while I’m not completely there yet, I am certainly on the right path. Its pretty liberating!

The original goal of this art blog was to make me a lot more accountable and to give me an outlet to blather on about my art and any frustrations and successes I might have. Really, the blog was for me, but the support of those of you who have been wonderful enough to leave me a comment or two has been absolutely astounding. So thank you so much!

Now that 2009 is quickly approaching, I find myself excited. Excited to figure out where to go to next, where it will leave and excited about the journey itself. And hopefully, some of you will continue to walk with me along that path.

And, as with last year, I just wanted to list a few things that I’d like to accomplish in the coming year. I figured I should write it down so I can refer back to it. I’m amazed how many times I looked at last year’s list.

2009:

• Continue to focus on drawing. I have fallen in love all over again with drawing. I want to continue to hone my skills and continue the mad love I am cultivating.
• Take Intermediate Anatomy Class at ACAD. ACAD is one of the only schools in the city that offers anatomy courses through Extended Studies. I’d kinda like to take advantage of that. My anatomy still needs work. I’m aiming for the Spring session. Update: Welp, this one isn’t going to happen.  I have some school plans that I am percolating so I’m not even sure I will push it to next year. (25-Nov-2009)
  
• Sketch Every Day. I didn’t completely accomplish this one in 2008. So its going on the 2009 list!
• Join a local Art Group/Increase activities online (web-forums, etc). Again, these two weren’t accomplished entirely in 2008. I’m hoping to rectify that in 2009. Update: This one is kind of done?!  I joined the Calgary Art Meetup group in the spring and while I haven’t been as active in recent months, I’m hoping to get back into it in the new year.  (25-Nov-2009)
• Continue working on Cheesecake/Pinup project. I love doing the cheesecake drawings with my markers. I just wanna keep drawing these fun pictures.
• Dabble in mask-making (specifically Noh-inspired masks). I just wanna make a couple for my bedroom. It’s Asian inspired and the masks would work perfectly. I’ve been contemplating this sorta mini-project for about a year now. Plus, I need to work on my costume/3D skills. Update: Not happening.  (25-Nov-2009)
• Photography. I’d like to spend a little more time on photography this year. My aptitude has seriously declined over the last little while. I’d like to get back into it. Or at the very least, actually USE my camera. Oh, and I wanna learn how to photograph my artwork better. I might need some studio lights. Update: I’ve taken photos. Just not as many as I would hope. Might toss this one on next year’s list. (25-Nov-2009)
• Submit to/Show in two (2) shows. I’m upping the ante this year! Last year, it was just one. I figured I could try for two. Especially since there is already one show in September that I might already be doing. Update: Not happening.  One show was canceled and the other I couldn’t be arsed to submit to.  Next year, I will be doing one for sure – maybe even two. (25-Nov-2009)
• Research/Consider Selling Prints. This one is kind of a big one given my usual trepidation about selling my artwork. I’d like to research and figure out if I could sell prints . I’m still uncomfortable with the idea of selling originals and I figured I would test the waters with prints. Perhaps through Etsy or something. This will be the LARGEST experiment of 2009.
• Holiday Gifts. This one isn’t completely fleshed out, but I am considering making art for next year’s Holiday Craziness, much like I did in 2007. But, I wanna be organized this year so I’m less stressed out. If I go through with it, I’m aiming at August to start. Update: Not happening.   I didn’t plan very well and I am not going to give myself a heartache in the last month of the year. (25-Nov-2009)

I think all are pretty attainable. But I guess we’ll see this time next year.