Deciding on an Annual Art Project
{Color swatches from a color analysis project from 2013}
On Sunday, I shared that I am beginning to reflect and set goals for 2021. It’s not too early! I believe it helps you prepare for the next year with peace of mind and really good intentions.
I am also writing about my 4-step process of how I go about planning my new year’s resolutions and developing a focused art project for the year. (Here is the first step. Be sure to sign up for my teaching newsletter to get the remaining three steps in your inbox).
One of the goals I have been incorporating into my creative life since I decided to be an artist is an annual art project. I began when I was still an architect, and still do it today.
I want you to consider starting an annual art project. So I will expand upon my own experience. If you have questions, please email. So, here are some examples of projects I decided to work on…
My series of paintings “Bountiful Observations” was my first really successful project. It was a constrained painting project. Every week in 2012 I would complete one 8 x 8 inch oil painting, I would gather whatever was in season that week and create a painting. I established this project because I had an infant and I wanted to be sure I stayed committed to creating art on a regular basis.
{Four paintings from my Bountiful Observations series}
Some of my favorite paintings were created that year. I did not create 52 paintings in that year, but I managed to eke out 45. Woo hoo! This was a feat considering I was still learning to be a mom and Naomi had some health issues that required a lot of extra attention.
Between now and then I have had several annual art projects. Some were skill focused vs. “create a painting a week” focused. And all of them have led to some amazing results to celebrate come December.
{The stack of sketchbooks I went through in 2019 with my first “Make Art Every Day” project}
In 2019 I decided to switch up my annual art project to a daily goal. The “make art every day” movement is pretty big, and I wanted to see what would result if I switched from a weekly goal to a daily goal.
I am happy to say that switching to a daily practice was amazing. I experienced both tangible and intangible results.
The first two months of 2019 were stressful, me adapting to the self-imposed rules and also getting everyone used to my new daily deadline. However, at the end of 2019, I realized I liked the daily commitment so much, that I decided to do it again this year. It has been another amazing year. Each year I learn a bit more, grow a bit more, and now I am recommitting to a daily art project in 2021.
{In 2020 I drew a ton of hands}
I love creating and I especially love knowing my art is going into homes across the world. So for 2021 my “make art everyday” project will involve stretching my skills with a new medium (to me) and making the original art available to more people. Next week, I will share more of the details and because I am so excited about it, I have decided to launch the project next week!
AND, before I leave, I want to encourage you to consider establishing an art project for next year. Because if I learned anything from 2020 it’s that focusing on what is in my control is the best way to move forward and to stay sane in these turbulent times. Setting personal goals and daily habits matter. Focusing on something that will support and inspire you matters! Finding space for creativity matters!
Good luck,
Liz
Ps. If you want to read more about my 4-steps I take in getting ready for the new year, Be sure to sign up for my teaching newsletter to get the remaining three steps in your inbox. And, click here to read about the first step.