Good Bye 2008
Despite the economic turmoil that hit the world, 2008 was a very good year to me in so many ways. It truly was a year that I have grown in leaps and bounds as an artist and had several wonderful experiences. By far, my most proud moment was the first publication of my article, "Finding My Way Home" in the November December issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. It was as if my life was finally coming full circle. Way back in the day, I originally wanted to be a writer but I really didn't have the discipline to do it full time so I put the thought out of my mind for many, many years. As I started to work more and more in mixed media painting and techniques, I began to daydream of how I could potentially combine my two loves when suddenly it became clear. What was I waiting for? I took the leap and sent in a query to the editors and by my complete surprise, my work was accepted.
I'll never forget the moment I read the acceptance email from Patricia Bolton. Then fear set in. As what I sent in for consideration, I just so happened to sell and had sent off to the new owner a day or two before I received the email from CPS!! I was horrified, panicked, yet excited beyond measure, all at the same time. Well, saving you the gory details, it all worked out my article was published a few months later. BUT, I learned a HUGE lesson that I didn't consider for some reason beforehand: if you want to be published, be sure to have your items in hand and do not have them featured elsewhere on the internet to ensure freshness of the work among other things!
Beginners mis-step.
I make plenty of mistakes but I do try to learn from those bumps in the road.
What I learned from that leap of faith--is to simply LEAP. You can dream all you want to in this world but at some point, if you want your dreams to come true, you have to put forth the effort to make it happen!!
Oh sure, some things may fall into your lap, but by far the' trick' to making a dream come true, is by pursuing that dream. There's no secret to that. You need to DO.
Despite the economic turmoil that hit the world, 2008 was a very good year to me in so many ways. It truly was a year that I have grown in leaps and bounds as an artist and had several wonderful experiences. By far, my most proud moment was the first publication of my article, "Finding My Way Home" in the November December issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. It was as if my life was finally coming full circle. Way back in the day, I originally wanted to be a writer but I really didn't have the discipline to do it full time so I put the thought out of my mind for many, many years. As I started to work more and more in mixed media painting and techniques, I began to daydream of how I could potentially combine my two loves when suddenly it became clear. What was I waiting for? I took the leap and sent in a query to the editors and by my complete surprise, my work was accepted.
I'll never forget the moment I read the acceptance email from Patricia Bolton. Then fear set in. As what I sent in for consideration, I just so happened to sell and had sent off to the new owner a day or two before I received the email from CPS!! I was horrified, panicked, yet excited beyond measure, all at the same time. Well, saving you the gory details, it all worked out my article was published a few months later. BUT, I learned a HUGE lesson that I didn't consider for some reason beforehand: if you want to be published, be sure to have your items in hand and do not have them featured elsewhere on the internet to ensure freshness of the work among other things!
Beginners mis-step.
I make plenty of mistakes but I do try to learn from those bumps in the road.
What I learned from that leap of faith--is to simply LEAP. You can dream all you want to in this world but at some point, if you want your dreams to come true, you have to put forth the effort to make it happen!!
Oh sure, some things may fall into your lap, but by far the' trick' to making a dream come true, is by pursuing that dream. There's no secret to that. You need to DO.
So what's next?My theme for 2009 is going to be:
DISCOVER
I want to push myself in new directions and I want to reveal what makes me tick, what motivates me, what makes me fearful, and what makes me inspired. I want to uncover what opportunities I have before me and I want to patch up the rough spots around my edges.
How am I going to do that?
Honestly, I don't know. But I will figure it out.
The truth is, I'm going to do it by taking things day by day.
I have a list of things I want to do and accomplish and what works for me is to start things off at the beginning of the month and work towards accomplishing my goals by the end of the month. I like beginnings and I take comfort in things coming to an end. Isn't that weird? I do have a 'master roadmap' of long term goals. Writing a book is on that master list. I WILL accomplish that someday soon (soon meaning in the next couple of years).
Also on the list is to work on 1 large piece each month. I want to work bigger. I want to stretch myself in new ways.
Another item on my to-do is a 12 month long project on mixed media portraits. I'm going to do one a month as well. My inner challenge is to do the portraitl differently whether it's technique wise or composition wise. I'm really excited about this challenge for some reason. Maybe it's another way I can discover myself, who knows. Portrait painting is something I've always strived to do better and by having something measurable to work towards makes me more accountable, if only to myself.
Perhaps I want more clarity of myself and my purpose, by exposing who I am--even if its bit by bit, just maybe I will achieve a greater sense of clarity.
One of the best things I did this year was to join in a couple of groups locally and online comprised of a wide array of artists. By far, this sense of community and belonging helped me to find my inspiration. It also opened me up to a larger tribe of sisters who I can say are now dear friends. Everyone needs a support system, everyone needs to bounce ideas off of someone.
Everyone needs to know that they are not alone in this world.
I'm just starting to discover that about myself. I may relish my alone time but I also need a community. I need that companionship. It's a sense of belonging that I lost long ago but am starting to find it once again.
So here's to Discovery in 2009. May this year bring you many new adventures, growth, health, and happiness.
Cheers!
8 comments :
Lucy, the next year can only get better for you. Look out art world! Good for you for setting some goals. I know you can reach anything you desire. I wish the absolute best of everything for you, you deserve it!
Your are on a roll! I know this new year will bring lots of wonderful opportunities for you :D
This post almost feels like I was the one who wrote it! I am a frustrated writer inside.
Congrats and best of energies, to support you on your path!
Congratulations! And all the best in 2009! Your work is very inspiring. :)
You are such a determined woman. I am proud of what you have created for yourself this past year and can't wait to see where you go next.
I hope I'll see you tonight!
Thank you for that post Lucy, it was so inspiring to me!! It helps so much to keep the hope going when I read posts like that:) I wanted to tell you thank you for the advice about (how do I put it?) how I am always doing tons of things at once without completing anything-I'm going to start trying a to do list, set daily goals for myself (I made up a mind map too, for my 2009 goals) well, hope you have a great weekend!
Trish
love what you wrote down here.. best wishes for 2009 and may all your dreams come true!
Congrats on such a wonderful year! It's really exciting to hear when something great is happening for a fellow artist. I wish I could find some local groups, because I find I am most inspired when I am surrounded by other creative people. I used to belong to an art group, but I just never felt like I fit. Any suggestions on finding one or maybe starting my own?
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