my roadmap for 2011

By now pretty much every blog you've read has talked about their goals for 2011, giving you a list of what they plan to do. I plan to do the same today and to be honest, I've been giddy and sort of nervous about doing this post.

I want to make big changes in 2011. Its resulted in a lot of planning and plotting.



I spent much of 2010 sitting back and looking around at blogs and people and businesses that I like. I am very excited with how the etsy shop has run. Since I started selling thermofax screens and paint this past summer, I've made over 400 screens for artists and business people.

That's a whole lot of screen printing going on. (My evil plan is working! Muahahahahah!)

But for a long time I've felt like there has been something missing in both my business and my blog. And my art. I decided that I wasn't going to try to force myself to find the answer, rather I was going to sit back and let it come to me.

It did.

And now this year I plan to act on it.

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Private vs. Personal

I love my blog. Its my favorite online toy. I love it because I feel like every time I post I'm chatting with friends.

But I've made a mistake.

I've confused the definitions of private and personal. And as a result, I've held back from talking about things that have been on my mind. About my creative process, about the things that really make creating art real and enjoyable and addictive for me. When I realized how rarely I post a picture of myself, I suddenly understood how far to the extreme I took it.

Sure, I'm sort of shy and certainly quiet. But it doesn't feel right anymore.

I still firmly believe that there are some things that don't belong on blogs. And I plan to respect that. But that shouldn't apply to art. It shouldn't apply to talking about inspiration and ideas. So that will change. The blog will be full of more conversation about art making and I'm vowing now to not hold back. In a way, I almost feel like I'm finally blogging for real by doing this. How strange is that?

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Make Your Mark Studios

This is a big one. I don't know exactly everything that it will be at this exact moment but I plan to talk about it a lot.

I've had the privilege of working with a lot of artists over the years. Be it through curating exhibits, my brick and mortar store several years ago and now my etsy store. Artists are a fascinating lot. They come in all sizes, shapes, backgrounds, styles. Its a never ending source of inspiration.

But I keep finding a recurring theme - the quest to own one's creative voice. To really own it. I think its kind of the pink elephant in the room - not knowing really where to start and not knowing how to grab hold of all the knowledge you have.

Its something we should talk about. In a real way. Encouragement and kudos have their place and I'm not saying they aren't necessary but there is also value in honest critique and assessment.

I'm hoping to meld those ideas. I'm hoping you'll join me as I work out the details and plan where this will go because I think it will be pretty cool.

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My Portfolio

Or should I say - my lack of portfolio?

I've got lots of work, sure, but it doesn't feel like a portfolio at all. And I really believe that its been holding me back as an artist.

I've taken some steps already. I've got three large pieces on my design wall but I need to do much more. I don't plan to abandon small works. I love them for their portability and punch.

But I need bigger works. Not because other people say I do but because I think I do. I'd like to apply for SAQA PAM membership by the end of 2011. I'll need to set deadlines throughout the course of the year to keep me on track.

The larger works still intimidate me. I've not quite worked out the logistics of how I will do everything that I normally do on the smaller pieces but luckily I'm a stubborn woman so I feel confident I can conquer that.

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Where I Stand Sunday

I'm bringing it back.

I made the mistake of listening to a couple of people's comments. They said it was overdone and people were probably bored with it.

I don't know if that's true. All I do know is that I don't feel the same affection for the other types of sunday posts that I tried out. So I'm dropping them. And bringing back Where I Stand to every single sunday on the calendar.

I love the photography, I love the challenge of finding unique places to put my feets and I love the writing that goes with it.

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Dooley love

Dooley love will also be making more regular appearances on the blog. I've heard the argument over and over that if you are a "serious artist" you shouldn't post pets or kids on your blog.

Bah.

He is my buddy, he's cute and the companionship that I get from him deserves to be honored. The best way I know how to do that is by sharing him on the blog.

So in conclusion, Dooley love wishes you a very Happy New Year and we are excited about all the new things we are going to do this year!