Friday, January 08, 2010

A New Year

I for one am pleased that 2009 is now behind me and I’m very much looking forward to the year ahead and what it brings. Like many other artists at this time I like to give a lot of thought to my goals for the year and what I want to achieve. This year my two main goals are to stop procrastinating and to manage my time better so that it is a more productive year for me with more artwork to show at the end of it. I am the worlds best at saying ‘I am going to do this and that’ and it never quite materialising – well not this year!

Last year wasn’t productive for me with one thing or another so I'm ‘carrying forward’ the goals I made back then and making them this years goals – I’ve made a few tweaks here and there.

  • Spend more time on marketing. Update my marketing materials such as business cards, postcards etc.
  • Print, market and sell prints of my work.
  • Start a newsletter.
  • Experiment more with my pencils, try new supports, techniques and mixing them with other media.
  • Work more with paint – aim to complete at least one painting a month.
  • Put together a portfolio of work with the aim of approaching galleries next year.
  • Submit work into at least two exhibitions.
  • Learn more about my camera and improve my photography skills - start photography course.
I’ve kept my goals ‘do-able’ for the time being, no point making the list long and daunting. There are more things I want to do and may well add to this list as the year progresses and time allows – this way there is no pressure:)

'Seriously!'
11.5"x8" Graphite pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

I had a very quiet Christmas watching too much TV and eating lots of chocolate as predicted. I did manage to work here and there on the Weimaraner I started back at the end of November however, and he is now finished.

Next up on the drawing board is another Cocker Spaniel.

14 comments:

Jacqueline Gnott said...

Your work is spectacular, Laura. And this piece is amazing!!

Colette Theriault said...

LOVE the fur on this dude. I smirk each time I see his expression. Best wishes Laura for the year 2010!

"JeanneG" said...

Your Weimeraner is great. I just finished one as a commission too. They are such regal dogs. I just wish that I could do the hairy dogs like you do. We lost our red Golden New Year's Eve. I now plan to do a long picture with 3 of our passed dogs. Buff Golden Retriever, Red Golden Retriever, and mini Salt and Pepper Schnauzer. For my hubby for his birthday next month.

Glad to see you are working.

Laura said...

Thank you for the great comments:D

Colette, it was his expression that attracted me to the reference and he makes me smile too:)

Jeanne, I love Weims and always enjoy drawing them. So sorry to hear of your loss on Hogmany - it is so hard when the time comes for them to go but I'm sure your portrait will be a fitting tribute. I look forward to seeing it when it's finished:)

Brandy said...

Oooo - the fur draws me in as well, makes me want to play with all those wrinkles, lol.

Really great job on this one (which is what you do on all your work it seems :) )

Teresa Mallen said...

A great list of goals! Time management is a tough one. I find the business side of things (marketing, creating products such as prints etc.) eats into my studio time more than I would like it to. Needs to be done, but still...The pooch is fabulous!! May you achieve your goals and more! :-)

Brenda said...

Laura, your work is absolutely amazing. I have followed your site for awhile now. This drawing is stunning with the longer body pose. I just want to say that I look forward to seeing your new work. Best wishes for 2010!!

Elizabeth McCrindle said...

Yep definately the expression for me too....looks like someone's stole his scone lol. Great work and good luck with the goals :)

NelisArt said...

Your work is outstanding*****

Danielle Feldman said...

This portrait is amazing!

Laura said...

Thank you Brandy:D

Hi Teresa, I'm determined to manage my time better this year though I too find the business side eats into my studio time more than I would ideally like but guess it is just as important - dare I say it, more important:)

Thank you Brenda:D

Ha, ha, very true Elizabeth, thank you:D

And thank you NelisArt:D

Laura said...

Sorry Danielle, I hadn't published your comment before I replied to the others. Thank you and welcome to my blog:D

Bev said...

Absolutely beautiful work, I love the expression. You have captured the character perfectly.

Laura said...

Thank you Bev:D Just seen your Rhino and it is beautiful - love the colours you have used. I haven't tried Derwent watersoluable pencils and really want to now:D