"Winter In The Valley"

 My plan to set new goals for 2010 has been a bit delayed... first by a wonderful family holiday, then by trying to get ready for the URBAN SPACES show that is opening tonight, then by "stuff", and then by our unusual rainy days.   Okay... lots of excuses, so now I'm moving on..

I was pleased that I set goals for last year... I think they helped my focus and although I didn't meet all of them, I got a sense of accomplishment from those I met and surpassed.  I will do the same for 2010... set reasonable, attainable goals to kind of steer me on my way.

Here they are:

• Increase my painting skills though continual daily painting AND by taking workshops and classes from artists I admire.
• Paint en plein air AT LEAST three times a month.
• Learn from other painters by blogging and looking at their work on their blogs.
• Better evaluate the juried shows I enter.  Follow the advice set out by Alyson Stanfield in her posts:  "Knowing When It's Time To Move On" and "Assessing Juried Art Exhibits".   NOTE TO SELF:  Carefully re-read her book, "I'd rather be in the studio".
• Sketch or draw at least weekly.
• Market my work ... develop my marketing skills.
• Continue exhibiting in "La Galeria Gitana" and seek other appropriate venues to exhibit my work...  (Make sure to have a good "body of work" in order to do that!!)
• Accept and complete one or more commissions.
• Sell 50% more paintings (and make more $) than in 2009.

I don't know if I'll achieve all of these goals, but nothing ventured... nothing gained.

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