Accountability: a 2014 retrospective

It's 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 2014, which was Utilize.   As I explained on January 2, 2014, utilize means to put into action or service  [we need to utilize all the tools at our disposal].  Looking back on my previous three years' words, I'm going to continue to try to inspire others, document the processes, utilize my tools, techniques, and time to my advantage, and this year, I'm going to represent (my art).  

Represent, which is a verb, means to stand for or symbolize, to indicate or communicate by signs or symbols, and possibly most important, depict in art, portray, and be an example of.  I hope I can live up to this word I've chosen for 2015.

 

As for accountability, let's see my accountability intentions I made on January 2, 2014, and how well I did:

1. Continue to make art that I hope some will find meaningful and show the process along the way.
I spent a lot of time with many of my posts making certain I documented everything along the way.  With a new camera, it was much easier, too.  So I feel I have lived up to that commitment.

 

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.

I can't be completely certain I created at least one tutorial each month, but I am certain I created at least 12 this past year, and probably more.  I know I created several in April, 2014, and I'm sure at least a few during Art Every Day Month in November, 2014.   I hope that took the place of any individual month I may have missed.  I believe I have fulfilled that commitment, too.

3. Utilize my tools and equipment.
I tried to utilize products and tools I had not played with for a long time, but I know I can do better in that respect. So, for 2015, I will determine what tools and products I have not used in a long time, and utilize them, possibly finding new ways to do so as I reacquaint myself with the tool or product.

4. Create several mixed media pieces each month.
I am NOT sure I created several every month, but I know I created at least 12 mixed media pieces over the course of 2014.  If you add the collaborations I was in, such as Journal 52, Summer of Color, Altered Playing Cards, Craft Barn's Quotes and/or Lyrics, and Index Card a Day, I made more than enough to put this one in the fulfilled column.

5. Create at least one scrappy journal each month.
This one was my downfall in 2013, and it was also my downfall in 2014.  I continued to create/sew page after journal page, but I just don't like to make the journal covers.  There's too much measuring, something I don't enjoy at all.

So, what are my plans for 2015, you ask?  As my focus on art shifts between fabric and paper, I hope to fulfill these intentions. I feel this is a far better word than "resolution," which just sets you up to fail as soon as you say it.

1. Continue to make art that I hope some will find meaningful and show the process along the way. 
That leads to my second intention.

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.

3. Utilize my tools and equipment.
Not just utilize my tools and equipment, but find new and better ways of using them.

4. Interview one artist a month.
Let's see if I can make that happen this year, since I was unable to do that two years ago.

5. Create a bridge between fabric and paper, hopefully finding new ways of working with both at the same time.

6. Create at least one abstract art piece each month.

Because I was successful with four of the five from last year, I'm going for a perfect record in 2015.  Of course, you'll have to wait till January, 2016 to see how well I did in 2015.