Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Happy New Year: Accountability and my word for 2018


Due to both T Stands For Tuesday and Second on the 2nd, I had to push this post back until today. 

It's once again time for my annual accountability post.  This is the one where I see how well I did the previous year, and how well I think I might do in the coming year.

Let's begin with my word for 2017, which was Focus

This was the first year I used a photograph instead of creating art in the form of collage or mixed media.

Once again, I thought long and hard to find a word that would sum up my art intentions for 2018.

I finally came up with the word "Concentrate," because it doesn't appear I did so in 2017.  For some reason, I had trouble staying on task, always late with my art, and not putting as much into each entry as I could.  I believe it started when a dear friend died in early May.  It was a very stressful time, and I seem to have suffered art wise since then.

Although it's very similar to focus, here are the various definitions:

transitive verb:
 
To direct or draw toward a common  center or objective
to gather into one body, mass, or force  
to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues  
to make less dilute 
to express or exhibit in condensed form  

intransitive verb:
 
to draw toward or meet in a common center 


gather, collect

to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
As for accountability, let's see my accountability intentions I made on January 1, 2017, and how well I did:

1. Continue to make art that I hope some will find meaningful and show the process along the way. 
That's a no-brainer.  I've been documenting my process and products (generic) used for so long, it's habit.
 

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.
Although a couple were late because they snuck up on me, I was able to create 12 new tutorials designated as Second Thursday Tutorials.  And I created a few new ones during April, too.

3.  Interview one artist every four months.
 Although I had very good intentions, I never got around to asking anyone.  One of my problems was time.  Unlike others who conduct interviews, my questions are all geared for the specific individual.

4. Dye fabric in my own different and unique way.
 I can truthfully say I did a lot of fabric dyeing this year.  Several examples include using black beans, turmeric, and grape juice, in addition to painting and more sun dyeing using acrylics.  Of course, I continued rust dyeing and ecodyeing, too.

 5. Sort, sort, sort.  Be aggressive and donate items I know I will never use.
 You wouldn't believe the amount of things I gave away this year.    Of course, that was just a drop in the bucket of what I have accumulated.  I really MUST start using new or different items, rather than sticking with some of the items I constantly grab when creating my altered book, collage, or mixed media pages.

6. Plant a real garden this year and use some of the herbs and plants in ecodyeing.
It's rather obvious that didn't happen again this year, but I seem to be getting closer to a real garden.  Right now, I'm trying to determine how I can expand the space in my herb garden.  I'm even hoping now that there is more sunlight in my flower bed (front garden), I might be able to raise a few veggies there, too.

7. Create four abstracts.
I created a couple during my stint as host of Art Journal Journey last summer, but I only did two and they weren't worth writing home about.  I also created a couple for Tag Tuesday, too.  So I guess I accomplished that goal.

8. Create ONE Christmas gift a month and several during November for AEDM.
I can truthfully say that didn't happen.   What can I say?  Lack of focus, right?

Although I fell short of my goals, more were fulfilled than not.

So what will I attempt to be accountable for in 2018?

1. Continue to make art that I hope some will find meaningful and show the process along the way.
Old habits die hard, so this one I think will be successfully accomplished.

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.
After reading others wanted me to make these each month, I plan to continue my monthly tutorials on the second Thursday of each month.

3.  Interview one artist over the course of the year. 
If I do more, it will be icing on the cake, if not, at least I haven't set myself up to fail this year.

4. Continue to dye fabric in my own different and unique way
Since this is something I love doing, I doubt I'll have trouble living up to this one.  And I'm always on the lookout for new ways to dye fabric using nontraditional eco-friendly dyes.

5. Sort, sort, sort.  
It's an ongoing process and with sorting comes creating, which I hope to do more of over the course of this year, too.  It's one thing to know where to find tools and supplies, it's another to make art using them.

6. Create four abstracts. 
Let's hope I don't forget this one.

Of course, you'll have to wait till January, 2019 to see how well I did in 2018.

As always, I appreciate your continued support of my projects.  You and your visits make this all worthwhile!  Here's to a creative 2018.  Hopefully I'll concentrate better this year.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Have fun fulfilling your aims and goals this year. Hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

Happy 2018 Elizabeth and well done for making such a long list of intentions.

You do so much anyway so don't do too much more

Love Chrissie xx

My name is Erika. said...

That's a good word Elizabeth and you have such big goals. You know yourself better than we do so when I say those are big goals you know what you are capable of completing. I hope you don't forget to have fun when you complete those goals. I can't wait to see what you make! Happy Wednesday. Hugs-Erika

froebelsternchen said...

You will fullfill all this intentions for sure my friend !
I never make New Year's resolutions except of making more of what makes me happy.
I really wanted to start an artsy calendar, but didn't yet and it is o. k. as well for me. I like your 2018 word - it's near to "Live in the moment" what is always a fantastic thing!
I sent you an email already in terms of the problem, poorly girlfriend!
Have a great day!
oxo Susi

kathyinozarks said...

good morning, wow this post was really intense-I read every word.Perhaps you are too hard on yourself. I think you have accomplished allot with your art in 2017.and I have learned new things from you too.
I miss doing my art and crafts since I stopped and focused on house projects-walls etc.
I do not make resolutions, but I do love the idea of choosing a word for the year-I am still giving that some thought. I think my hubs and I worked so hard over the years to achieve our goal to be here living in our retirement home that we forgot to live in the moment more and take time to have fun and not work so much-my hubs has never been healthy so now that he is mid 70s everything is harder for him-I am encouraging him to have more fun do what he enjoys most-go fishing.
well you have inspired me to perhaps write a post hugs Kathy

Jeanie said...

Focus is a great word. And your goals are ambitious and do-able. It's interesting, what you said about things going a little off the rails after your friend's death. That's the thing with life -- we can have every good intention of doing very specific things and even be well on the way but then life happens. I have a feeling it will happen to us more and more the older we get. But the thing is, you kept on. And OK, you didn't make every single goal from your intention -- but you did pretty darned amazingly from what I could see on your blog. I look at your output and I feel almost overwhelmed with your time and commitment to your projects and with great admiration. All I can say is that if you do even more in 2018, my jaw will drop and my smile will be big, even though you can see my tonsils (or lack thereof!) Good luck with it. (I'm still working on my word!)

Sami said...

Hope you fulfill your 2018 goals and "concentrate" well.
Good luck Elizabeth.

Divers and Sundry said...

"Start where you are" is perfect! It sounds obvious, and yet I want to _be_ better _now_! I'm impressed with how far you got towards your goals considering the loss you suffered. You know I'm especially interested in your garden project :)

Caty said...

Elizabeth..... your intentions are wonderful !! Believe you can realise them..... You CAN !!
I wish you a very Happy New Year 2018, full of Love, Happiness, Health.... more Love !! and so so so fantastiques moments!! All the best !!
Big Hugs, kisses
Caty

Meggymay said...

I do hope you reach your target, but I am of an age when there is always tomorrow if today didn't work out.
So enjoy each day and if you manage to reach the goal you set for yourself, then well done, but never dwell on what might have been. You are amazing to have achieved so much.
Yvonne xx

Sharon Madson said...

I like your word for 2017 and the one for 2018, too. At least you have picked a word! I love the sentiment Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. I think that is a great starting point for me in 2018!
Happy New Year!

Birgit said...

I think you did incredibly well the past year and created wonderful art projects. I fell flat on my face but hope to get back up, fix my lip...since I did fall on my face, and start fresh. Love the quote!

Sandra Cox said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra Cox said...

You have wonderful goals and did a great job of meeting 2017s.
I am terrible at concentrating. I better add it to the list. Sigh.
Hope your day was filled with sparkle, dear Elizabeth.

Rita said...

Good luck with your goals! New year and fresh start. :)

Cindy McMath said...

All the best with your goals this year Elizabeth - they sound really admirable. I picked a work of the year a few years ago and really never stuck with it. I admire the effort - I think it is one of those things that just isn’t me. I am going to make a real effort to use the stuff in my studio though before I buy new. I’m going to try to go for six months without buying anything art related (with a few notable exceptions). And you really shouldn’t be hard on yourself - you lost a dear friend last year and that is very hard and has a lasting impact. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like realistic goals for 2018. Keeping mine simple. "Be the light" - put good into the world in my art and my words and my thoughts. Make dolls that evoke feelings...make art period. That's about it. xox

CJ Kennedy said...

I think you did an admirable job of keeping up with your goals

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love this word Elizabeth - I have such trouble concentrating on one task at times! I think you did really well last year considering the trauma you went through! Hugs, Chrisx

Marfi-topia said...

it's going to be great following along on your journey this new year.
I love your artwork and it makes me happy to see new creations.
Thank you for all the time you put in.

Happy New Year to you, Bleubeard and Squiggles<3