As much as I can be a bit of a Bah Humbug around Xmas, I really love the last week of the year over every other week. The reason? I am wrapping it up!
I am a list maker, a ‘do-er’. I know, it seems odd considering I am a flaky artist, but I like thinking about what I want to accomplish in the coming year and how I might go about doing that. I love having a to-do list. Because I love, even more so, checking things off that list.
I just wanted to share Alyson Stanfield’s blog post “Count Your Accomplishments”. As much as I like to button up and package away the previous for the new with casual regard – her list of questions made me sit down and think about what I did this year and appreciate it — despite the chaos that was going on in the world. I want to share a few things from my list because I realize looking at it how important people are in our creative lives. Being an artist seems like a solitary job – and it can be – but the creative community is very strong and if you are forgetting to include people, you are forgetting an important ingredient. People bring opportunities, inspiration and learning. And I think that was my overall lesson this year.
So a few of accomplishments from her list that I don’t mind sharing, they might be useful.
Who were the top ten cool or influential people you met?
I met Travis Louie, Leslie Fry, Mark Prent, Michael DeMeng, Catherine Hall, and the aforementioned Alyson Stanfield.
Something that I really like to do is to arrange for studio visits with artists I admire. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about their work, hear about the process of creation, and the challenges they encounter as artists. I have found these visits almost always invaluable in a variety of unexpected ways.
What medium or skill did you attempt or master?
Attempted working with Paperclay, plaster, and casting/mold making. I actually want to switch over to Paperclay if I can. Polymer clay is starting to bother me a bit, the smell, some of the toxicity in the kind I use, and I never feel I can wash it off my hands completely. Conditioning the clay often causes my hands to get bruised.
What did you try that was uncomfortable but helped you grow?
Mold making/casting. I learned that I am terrible at it but I can’t help but like it. Kind of.
What books did you read to help your career?
Alyson Stanfield’s “I’d Rather Be In The Studio“
What videos or films were useful?
Exit Through the Gift Shop, Art 21, What Remains: The Life and Work of Sally Mann, Beautiful Losers.
I’m looking forward to 2011.
Happy new year all!
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What you’ve shared of your list is great. Though I must admit as I was trying to answer those questions for myself I found myself struggling to find anything I’ve really done that would be worth including in my responses.
I think my goal for 2011 should be to actually do things that will make next years list worth reading
Nice list! If I don’t mind saying.
Did you know that Leslie Fry was at my book event in VT? She was at the back of the room for like 2 minutes, but had to go. I’m so bummed I didn’t get to meet her as we’ve been in touch for years.
I was thrilled to meet you, Beth! And to be introduced to your work. Happy 2011!
Why no, I didn’t know she was there! I have made contact with her this year and she has been so amazing. It figures she would be a Stanfield follower – she has so much insight into the business of being an artist – after all – she lives the dream!
I hope you will make it up this way again. I would love to attend just about anything you would be doing!
A few years ago a good friend told me to, at the beginning of the year, write down a few things I want to accomplish that year and put it somewhere where I can see it everyday. She said that it has a funny way of happening. I turned my list into my desktop wallpaper on my computer. There was no choice but to look at it each day. Some things didn’t happen of course but I did make the effort. And then other things happened almost effortlessly. So anyway – yes, make a list of things you want to do this year and you might be surprised.