My annual acountability post, my December calendar page, and my word for 2019

Due to both welcoming Art Journal Journey's new host 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 2018, which was Concentrate.

I justified it because I felt I hadn't been focused in 2017.

I thought long and hard to find a word that would sum up my art intentions for 2019.  I've been so busy meeting (often self-imposed) art commitments,


this year I want to Play.

There are over 100 definitions for the word Play, but for me, it all boils down to taking time to have fun experimenting with different techniques and hopefully taking my art a bit further in 2019.

Although I normally list the nouns, verbs, etc., this year if you are interested, I suggest you look the word up and see how many uses there are for it.  There are nouns, verbs, both transitive and intransitive, and idioms.  There are well over 100 definitions at any encyclopedia site you choose to visit.

As for accountability, let's see my accountability intentions I made on January 3, 2018 and how well I did.

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 tried to adhere to, but sometimes I made art late at night and the craft room was so dark, it was hard to take process shots.  Whenever I could, I showed the process.  Whether I showed the step-out photos or not, I always explained how I created each page, tag, or object.

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.
After reading others wanted me to make these each month, I continued my monthly tutorials on the second Thursday of each month.  During April, I created several tutorials because I was often working with materials I don't normally use.

3.  Interview one artist over the course of the year. 
It didn't happen.  I keep forgetting to ask people if I can interview them.  Unlike some who interview using standard questions, each of my questions is tailored to the individual I'm interviewing.  If you know anyone who would like to be interviewed, or if you would, please let me know.

4. Continue to dye fabric in my own different and unique way
This was another no-brainer.  I love dyeing fabric 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, but a flood in my basement caused me to get rid of a lot of wonderful old (but not priceless) books.  It also forced me to decide what I want to work with in the coming years, so I got rid of all my crochet and knitting materials.  I also got rid of a bead loom and my melt and pour soap making kits.   Finally, I got rid of container after container of fancy jars I saved to make herbal vinegars and oils.  I saved only the best and most beautiful or unique, which freed up a great deal of space in my basement studio.

6. Create four abstracts. 
When I wrote that, I had NO idea I would be making lots of abstract art this year, especially when I signed up for the 365 somethings.  For once, I was able to fulfill that one quite easily.

Out of six different objectives, only one was unfulfilled this year.  I was very pleased.  Now it's time to go for all six!

That is exactly what I have decided to do this year.  I hope to hold myself accountable to these same six goals I set in January, 2018.  Plus, I plan to add a seventh goal.

1. Continue to make art that I hope some will find meaningful and show the process along the way.
I don't think I'll have any trouble living up to this one.

2. Create at least one tutorial each month.
I will continue to create a new tutorial each month on the second Thursday, although it is getting harder and harder to come up with new ideas given my limited tools and products.

3.  Interview one artist over the course of the year.
This was my big failure in 2018, so I'm going to try my best to accomplish this in 2019.

4. Continue to dye fabric in my own different and unique way
I keep watching for different ideas on ways to rust, but there are only so many ways you can rust fabric.  I have created a lot of resist dyed fabrics.  But I must learn different ways to use products I have on hand or ones that are easily available to me in order to come up with new ways to dye fabric.  Suggestions are always welcome.

5. Sort, sort, sort.  
On my list of items I might possibly get rid of this year include polymer clay and paper cloth ribbon.  Although I hate to give up poly clay, since I have so much invested in it, including a dedicated pasta machine and a dedicated toaster oven, I either must use it this year, or it will have to go.  It seems I never use the ribbons I have purchased over the years, so they will have to be used or they will have to go, too.

6. Create four abstracts. 
I realize I won't have 365 somethings to work on in 2019, so this will need to be a priority.

7. Redo my gardens. 
I need to spend some quality time in my flower bed, my dead veggie garden, and finding places for my herbs this year.  This will definitely take away from my computer time, and also from my art.  But I hope to have something to show for it at the end of the year.

Of course, you'll have to wait till January, 2020 to see how well I did in 2019.

And because this is the very last page in my yearly calendar,

sadly, I must now say goodbye to this journal style book I've kept my calendar pages in since 2014.  Oh look Valerie, I got it right on my calendar, just not on my blog.

As a wrap up, 

I'll even share the ones I made this year.

Many of you remember how I lamented about the book I found in my stash I thought would be perfect for keeping my calendar pages in, then found out it was not the right size.

Because these pages can't be scanned if I want to show the entire page, I have to photograph them.  I finally got this one photographed a few hours ago.  Additionally, since the poorly stamped snowflakes are hexagons (the larger ones contain squares) and the snowman contains circles, I am also joining Alison from Craftytrog's Arty Adventures and her inspiring Geometric Shapes at Art Journal Journey. 

As always, I appreciate your continued support of my projects.  You and your visits make this all worthwhile!  Here's to a creative 2019.  Hopefully I'll find time to play this year.  I hope to see you at Art Journal Journey too.