Setting Artistic Goals

These are all headlines that you may have read the past few weeks, as the new year creeps closer and closer. While the goal of “setting goals” is always a good idea, some may find these New Year Goals/Resolutions posts to be off-putting. So instead of yet another list of things to do and not do to get ahead or change your life, here are some gentle suggestions on how to prepare for a new year as an artist:

Reflect: The start of a new calendar year reminds us that 365 days have passed. Reflecting on the following questions can be helpful:

• What have you done with your time?
• What shows have you applied for?
• Where have you exhibited?
• How many paintings have you made?
• What new artistic avenues have you tried?
• What have you wanted to do, but didn’t?

Reconsider: Go through journals, sketchbooks and drawings, and look for patterns and unfinished ideas that are begging to be birthed. This is where you can find themes for future paintings, series or big projects. Review the “failed” pile – what can you learn from these works? After the months that have gone by, are your failures really that bad?

Renew: After thinking about the old year and looking at sketchbooks, bring out your calendar. Write in shows and deadlines, workshops you’ll teach and workshops you’ll attend, and list some major themes you want to explore each month. Get pumped up for the work, so that when you hit the studio on January 1, you’ll be excited to start. We love the idea of gessoing 12 surfaces on the first day of the year. Some can be big, some can be small, but by the simple act of preparing surfaces – just one for each month – you will be setting your intentions for the year. And you’ll get a basic studio task done!

For some, these New Year’s Eves and New Year’s Days rituals are not terribly exciting, but the simple practice of reflection, reconsideration and renewal can set the tone for the next year. Are there any other special ways that you prepare for a new year as an artist? Post some comments on Facebook or Instagram – we’d love to read your thoughts!