Reflecting on 2010, Welcoming 2011

Reflecting on Art

2010 turned out to be one of my most creative years to date. Part of the success of that was committing to a goal of three Creative Saturdays a month with Lita. By sticking to our plan, I was able to reach new heights in living an artful and creative life and, as a bonus, actually make money while doing it. This year I was published in three magazines, sold the most stock, the most prints and received checks in the mail for licensing images to a card company.  Both my digital art and traditional art skills improved and I participated in a couple of community art projects. It was also my most successful year for health and fitness, completing the Disney's Princess Half Marathon. I'm convinced, now more than ever, that the creative brain works better when you combine it with a healthy lifestyle.

As 2011 dawns, I have put out into the universe my new creative and personal goals. I started by creating a dream board, filled with images and words that will remind me daily what I am hoping to achieve. As I walk into my art room, a 12x12 square hangs on the door filled with my daily, weekly and ongoing goals. I received an abundance of new Photography goodies for Christmas and I am looking forward to challenging myself with vintage film cameras and modern techniques. 

Yesterday my mother-in-law gave me a near mint condition Kodak Brownie to join the Imperial Mark 27:

Beside my photography goals, I have traditional art goals and writing goals. I am most excited about following the Awe-Manac this year alongside my creative pack of girlfriends. Missy, Lita, Loraine and I will all be using this delightful book to help inspire and motivate us in pursuit of our creative and artful life. As well, Lita, Loraine and I all have writing goals for 2011. Lita and I will both be using A Writer's Book of Days for creative prompts and I will also be doing The Daily Reader with hopes that next year I will follow it up with the companion book The Daily Writer. Of course, my main writing goal is to edit my NaNoWriMo novel by June so that I can get it published (one of the perks of being a winner is you get your book published by Amazon!). My traditional art goals are to continue to fill up my art journals, create my miniatures and continue my mixed media and painting projects. 

Some of the books to inspire, including the Awe-Manac by Jill Badonsky

Another goal for 2011 is to offer a Blog Giveaway at least once a month! The giveaway could be a print, something I've made or painted, a book I think should  be shared or photography goodies. I'm excited to share more than just my images with my readers!

I wish all of you a creative and artful 2011, with good health, happiness and love!

See you all next year! ;-)