The Possibilities are Endless in the New Year

Vasilopita, a traditional Greek sweet bread baked especially for the new year, in which is hidden a coin to surprise the lucky person who finds it in their slice, commemorating St. Basil on January 1.
Vasilopita, a traditional Greek sweet bread baked especially for the new year, in which is hidden a coin to surprise the lucky person who finds it in their slice, commemorating St. Basil on January 1.

Welcome to 2014! Here we are again at the start of another year. The possibilities are endless.

Just think, the year is spread long and wide before us, the road not yet traveled lays ahead. What mystery will each day bring? It’s time to get it together, get down to business after some gentle reflection of the year left behind as we turn and walk purposefully toward a fresh start.

Every thing I read says to look back and think about what worked, and what didn’t, last year. Evaluate your process, tally up your wins and fails, they say, and report.

Well, ok. Let’s take a look at where I’ve come through the past year:

  • Participated in a few more art show/sales events and sold paintings, jewelry, and knits
  • Listed more artwork in the Etsy shop
  • Participated in the last 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge with 15 works (eh, ok)
  • Started working on an email sign up list on this website
  • Learned a lot about avoiding Resistance, thanks to Steven Pressfield and his work
  • Learned a lot about inviting “the Muse,” again thanks to Steven Pressfield
  • Said “Yes” more times than I said “No”
  • Got back to the process in my work, rather than the final product
  • Looked into solo art show prospects
  • Thought about developing my own gallery space

It’s surely not a complete list.

What does the plan for the new year ahead look like, you ask? Here are some ideas:

  • Shrug off Mr. Resistance and get to the studio to meet Mrs. Muse on a regular basis
  • Paint twenty minutes to start and see where it gets me-the process at work
  • Finish this website thing already
  • Add to my contact list and finally get my newsletter out there
  • Plan some solo shows of my work to reach people really interested in collecting art
  • Get info on the gallery idea
  • Complete the challenges I sign up for instead of just mosey along without pushing myself forward
  • Throw out junk
  • Bake more of my own bread
  • Knit more socks, use up my yarn stash, finish a needlepoint that’s been sitting around since 1982
  • Knit faster

January is here now and it’s time to get moving on these things on my list.

Do you want the good news, or the bad news first?

Ok, the good news first it is: I already joined another 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge that began on New Year’s Day. Yes, January 1 was Day 1 to post my first work in this challenge.

The bad news? I’m already behind on Day 2. Yikes!

 

Share Button

Author: Dora Sislian Themelis

As a fine artist, I paint, knit, and make jewelry, to figure it all out.

2 thoughts on “The Possibilities are Endless in the New Year”

  1. Happy New Year, Sweet Dora! Well, your view could a bit tough? Please be kind to yourself. You’re not behind, but ahead of the start! Beauty! I know you’re a very hardworker and busy woman. Not easy to balance roles and organise time for art activities. Clebrate your achievements and think them in a positive and supportive way ( tricky though, with a “healthy” manner. You know “psychology” for education.) Anyway, enjoy each moment and smile in 2014!!!
    Best wishes, Sadami

    1. Thank you for the New Year wishes Sadami! Every now and then every artist working alone needs to kick it up, and if I’m not careful I could end up not painting at all. That Mr. Resistance is always following me! Ha!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.