Looking Back and Moving Forward

I always find looking back over the past year helps me with my plans for the future. It is good to take a look at what we DID accomplish and not dwell on the things we didn't get to. 

We can then decide if the things that didn't get done are worthy of putting back on the list for the coming year.

Why didn't we get to them? 

Was it resources - financial or otherwise? Lack of time or expertise? Procrastination or discipline? Perhaps fear. 

Whatever the reason,  if we want to carry that goal forward and accomplish it the following year it is good to take a look at why it didn't get done. 

In 2017 I chose to focus on my teaching as my number one priority. FOCUS was my word of the year WOTY for short. 

I like to call it my guiding word and do a piece of art around it. 

I am still deciding on my Guiding Word for 2018. Several have come to mind but I am still pondering to choose the one that will guide me best. 

Reflecting on the past year helps me with that.  

Here are some things that I did accomplish: 

I coached and mentored a private student. 

I hosted 2 adult ART Birthday parties. 

I had a Mother and Daughter private workshop

I taught two workshops in Penticton

I taught two workshops at Gabriola Isle of the Arts Festival

I was a keynote speaker at Gabriola's Isle of the Arts Festival Professional Development Day

I kicked off my "ARTBITE" workshops - 3 hour classes for students to get a taste

I developed my first online course and will launch it in 2018

I had a solo Exhibition for the month of October at the MAC

I facilitated a show for  my Make Your Mark mentorship students at the PCCC

I had work in several juried shows including the Sooke Fine Art Show, and  the FCA Signature Member Show

I mentored 5 students in my Make Your Mark year-long program.

I did two commissions - one to commemorate Canada's 150 with a Saskatchewan theme for Pineview Terrace in Prince Albert, SK. , the other for a private collector in Courtenay

Along with my partner, we built a shed to move all the garden equipment out of my storage space. Yeah!

Set up a designated space for my encaustic studio. 

Had a washroom and water put in my studio. Another Yeah!!

Taught a workshop to special needs children

Taught a children's summer camp

Had 103 adult students come to my studio for workshops

Went in two markets (really cut back on that!!)

Sold 33 paintings in spite of my attendance at markets

Purchased the Ipad Pro and started to learn how to make digital art. ( I also use it for my music scores and to rehearse and perform with - double duty! )

Finished 100 paintings give or take! 

Had one open studio combined with my Affordable Art Sale

Took several workshops

Continued teaching harp

Played a few harp gigs

Worked with a few clients to beautify their interiors

Went to two jazz festivals - one in Saskatoon and the other in Ladysmith

Attended many concerts

What I didn't do that I had hoped to:

 Didn't learn much new harp music

Bought a keyboard to learn jazz piano but hardly made a start

Didn't spend as much time as I would have liked on learning digital art

Didn't paint as much as I would like to

The garden didn't get planted

The TAb trailer never left the yard - many implications due to a new vehicle not being equipped

Canoe never saw water - blame it on the unequipped vehicle

The deck didn't get rebuilt - not for lack of trying to hire someone!

The clutter continued to get stuffed in closets and drawers! 

Our landscape plans for the backyard fell by the wayside

Moving Forward

I am hoping to do a better job getting out into nature in 2018 and taking more time to relax. 

I am planning on being more proactive with my schedule and really focus on the important to me things. 

I am going to work on simplifying things - clearing clutter, both in my mind, house and studio. 

I am going to develop my Japanese themed garden beside my studio

I am going to hire more help to free up my time for the bigger picture! 

I am going to designate some "play days " for myself. 

My guiding word is becoming clearer - I should have it sorted out by the end of the year!

If you want help with yours give me a shout.