5 Things you aren't proud of
Posted by Angela, Pregnancy Editor:

the year ahead


work in progress

I've been getting a book ready for a collaborative project and it's exciting to think that at the end, all the blank plaster pages that I have bound together will be filled with artwork. What is going to end up on those pages? How will I grow from this project? Will my crazy made-up binding last??

Those same questions could be applied to the year ahead. Except substitute "binding" for ...? Intentions for balance? Intentions for good health?

One of the lessons that I am learning is to accept my time and energy limitations. I always feel like I need to be "accomplishing". Whether it comes from my own capricorn tendencies or that it was drilled into my head by my immigrant parents who worked so hard all their lives, I don't know. But it's something I will keep working on. Acceptance. Patience. Knowing that all things have their time.

And what's a more important accomplishment than raising my 2 year old son? My heart knows this, but sometimes the head(ego) needs reminding.

Speaking of time though- I spend way too much time on the computer! I have this blog, a blog on amanobooks that I recently started, Facebook, and of course all the blogs that I read. I need to be more disciplined about my computer time because my "free" time is so scarce. I'd rather be painting. And I need to be painting.

1. Time: I am going to get a timer and actually set it for 15 minutes. When that timer goes off, I need to get off the computer. Also will have a specific time when I check email and write emails. And a specific time to read blogs, because I love to read them. They inspire me and it is like a community. But I can't spend an hour of nap time reading blogs or checking status updates on FaceBook. That's just not productive!

2. Simplify: I have my hands in too many things in the studio. Makes me feel scattered and unfocused. I still need to continue making my handmade journals. But in terms of painting I am going to focus on encaustics and acrylic/mixed media. I know, that still sounds like a lot. But in my head I feel better about it. I have been working on a large oil painting, and my impatience is rearing its head. Again, the Time thing.

But also it's important to have a focus. And strengthen my abilities and skills within those two mediums.

3. Learn: Sit down and learn QuickBooks for business purposes. As well as Working Artist3.0. I've been using the working artist database program for over a year now and it's good, but I know I'm only using it at a very small percentage to what I could be using it for. I just haven't taken the time to sit and learn it. But if I do, it will save me so much more time in the future.

4. Explore: I still have yet to explore the gallery scene in Chicago. I need to do my homework for the future.

5. Paint, paint, paint. Inventory as soon as a painting is done.

6. Possibly do an art fair in the chicagoland area. There are so so so many during the summertime! At least research them for the future.

7. Get working on the new series.

8. Create at least 2 new mixed media collage journals a month. That is the minimum.

9. Be open to opportunities. But also be mindful of what I take on.

10. Ponder some more about teaching small workshops. Ponder for a little bit, but then decide! Research.

11. Redesign and update my art web site. Add a section for visual journals. Make encaustic and painting sections more current. Old stuff does not need to be up there.

So, that's what's on my mind right now. It's all very "work related". On the other side of it though, my overriding goal this year is to just paint and learn and keep exploring my symbols,my inner dialogue.

Personal goals include baking more bread, going to yoga every week, growing an urban container garden of vegetables, exploring Chicago and all it has to offer, making sure to be in the moment with my little one. Being in the Now.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~Annie Dillard

Comment on The 2008 reading backlog by K.G. Schneider
Miriam, I've been planning a whole post... though perhaps that won't happen. I set aside lots of reading I had planned and read this book omniverously and hungrily. It is GREAT.

Comment on The 2008 reading backlog by K.G. Schneider
Miriam, I've been planning a whole post... though perhaps that won't happen. I set aside lots of reading I had planned and read this book omniverously and hungrily. It is GREAT.

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