Looking Back on 2016 With a Quick Glimse Forward

It's already New Years Eve, the family has gone, the parties are over - except for tonight. All I really want to do is run up to my studio, plug in my head phones and get lost in some painting. There will be time for that later, first a check in.

I have heard so many times that 2016 sucked. Really? Admittedly, we lost what seems like a large number of celebrities which is very sad. Truly, any year we make it through is a good year. Right? There were losses; the last aunt on my side, the neighbor's daughter, Spike, our much loved lab of 15 years. And I don't think anyone, no matter which side you were on, would look at that election and feel good. It was the year of Michael Phelps at the Olympics becoming the most metaled Olympian of all time. My daughter got engaged, my other two children got new jobs, Mark finished renovating his 160 year old Italianate home, we took a family trip to Savannah, Georgia then got to spent another week all together Up North 6 months later.

I'm excited to start 2017 at Finally Art but feel the need to just breath and enjoy 2016 for a moment. 2016 was my biggest year so far. I continued doing shows and classes in local galleries. I even went out and started doing my own classes which is so enjoyable. The mess walls of my new booth makes set up and take down are much easier.  Art Leagues have asked me to demonstrate alcohol inks, I've started doing workshops. My husband and I bought a building that will become my studio in 2017. Fall brought my biggest commission season yet. The best gifts of the year were the new friends that I made. Who knew how incredibly social and fun art could be?

Tomorrow is the first day of the January 30 paintings in 30 days. 
I haven't started any paintings, I haven't made any plans. In fact, I can't find my camera, which may be a bit of a problem. My plan for January is to paint more. Instead of 30 paintings I'm going for 100 hours. That doesn't sound like much but after the marketing, bookkeeping etc. that art takes it comes to about 4.5 hours each week day. Easy right? Not always, with classes, emails and blogging. 100 hours in January, we'll see where that leads me.

As I post my works I will be reflecting on my goals for 2017. 
 I hope to spend time  with one of my biggest goals: To Make Bad Art. I'll explain more later.

January also brings a special this month, $75 for a one day, 8"x 10" pet portrait in alcohol inks. The price includes all taxes, shipping and handling.

So here's to 2017! Let the fun begin!