Happy New Year!

Just like so many others I like to make New Year's Resolutions. New resolutions make me feel like I am starting over, or like last year was just practice this year I will do ____________!

I am excited about my 2007 goals. I wanted to lose weight and I did, still more to go but I look and feel better. One thing that is fun about losing weight is having to get new clothes. My closet was nearly empty because I gave away anything that was too big, I did not want the chance to go back. Another goal: Not to play computer games--I still haven't and I don't want to!

And to do more art. I don't know where to start on this. I have done more art this past year than ever before and I love it. Despite my travel anxieties I made 2 trips to Haverhill, MA to go to Art Boot Camp and the Technical Course. Both were amazing I learned so much and met wonderful people. My art work took a dramatic jump forward after Boot Camp which is exciting. I haven't had too much time to practice the things I learned at the Tech Course yet but I am looking forward to stretching and preparing my own canvas and other supports and trying out all of the other things that were demonstrated. I also have a website, they (FineArtStudioOnline) said it was easy to start and so I tried it and it was so easy I had one before I knew it. I probably got a bit ahead of myself with that but I like having it--it makes me feel professional. I did sell 3 paintings from it! I also moved all of my art stuff to the basement. The basement has really needed a good cleaning and it is a great incentive to know that the more I can get rid of, the more room I will have for my studio! I think that hits the major art highlights for 2007, now on to 2008's goals.

I have a long list of goals for this year. I will spare the minute details and just give the overview. There are 2 catagories: Art goals and non art goals. For non art goals it is simply to continue Weight Watchers because it works for me, and to continue with my efforts at organizing (I think I am more organized than I have ever been in my entire life and I still have a lot to go but now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.)

Art Goals:
1. I need to improve my drawing. To do this I have several books that I will read and do the exercises in.

2. I will manage my time better. I think that this is critical for me. I have set a goal of working for 2008 hours this year. This will include drawing, painting, blogging, studying and business related stuff.

3. Painting: I want to do lots of it. Make more color charts (I have learned so much from the ones I have made so far.) Go to Portrait Camp in June.
Try out different supports (copper). And I think the hardest is to put more of myself into my work and to have something to say with my paintings.

4. The business end of things. I am going to join 2 of the local art groups. I have set a sales goal, this year it is to cover all of my art related expenses. Learn my new programs--eArtist, and Quickbooks and more about my old ones Photoshop Elements.

For my Christmas present my daughter set up a lot of the business things for me. It was a wonderful gift of her confidence in me and that really does mean a lot to me. (All of my family have been extremely supportive, I am very blessed.) I am also going to work on marketing and enter some local shows and competitions.

I have a long list of details on all of these things because I need to have the goal clear in my head and on paper. I have made my goals into more of a checklist of things to do so I can see where I am and the progress I have made.

I think it will be an exciting year, and I almost forgot...I am going to go to Germany this year!!!! Definitely, I have my passport and my daughter is moving there on Saturday. I will miss her, but she has a great job there and I will get to visit!!