Wednesday, October 30, 2013

TAKING STOCK

HALLOWEEN...already here.
Can you believe that October is practically gone?
I can't - the days are flying by way too fast.

I'm not carving a pumpkin this year.


I have carved a pumpkin every year since I can remember.
My husband said, "Don't do it this year. Next Halloween we will have a new
granddaughter and we will be starting everything all over."
And he's right.

I guess as a grandparent, I will experience everything through Sawyer's eyes again.
How fun that will be!
But I did splurge for the two big bags of candy that included Tootsie Rolls and Dots.
Some things never change....

ART

This is a very strange year.
I took a whole year off from doing any physical shows.
I was just plain tired out....
No 150 Challenge show at Weems Old Town.
No Balloon Fiesta.
No Weems Artfest.


Those artists who travel all year doing show after show after show?
I admire them, I really do.
But I wonder when they have time to paint. And relax. And think.

I am in my thinking stage right now!

These are the questions I am asking myself:

Do I want to do shows in 2014?
Do I want to do another 150 Challenge?
Do I want to do Weems Artfest?
Do I want to paint small daily paintings to sell online?
Do I want to do a big important show I've had on the backburner 
for years called 'THE WOMEN OF WILLARD?
Do I want to do a Weems show with really large paintings?
Do I want to start a women's art group in Albuquerque?
Do I want to offer workshops and classes?
Do I want to collaborate with other women artists?
Do I want to find a gallery in Santa Fe and Taos?
Do I want to drive all over NM and paint plein air?

The answer is YES!

To all of these questions.
But I also have to have the time to enjoy my new granddaughter.
Have dates with my husband.
Work on losing weight and fixing my knees.
Enjoy good books and movies.
Do some non-art related traveling.
And just enjoy life without being constantly 
tired and under deadlines.

A bit of balance is in order, my friends.

So, I will be planning and thinking and working
to figure out a way to have it ALL.

Wish me luck!

What would you like to see me do in 2014?
And if you're an artist, how do you plan out your year?
I would love to hear from you.....







6 comments:

  1. You need to rest, think (just think, not do) about new possibilities, paint just for the fun of it (no deadlines, no stress), get your knees fixed so that you can walk which will help with your weight loss, and give yourself time to enjoy your coming granddaughter.

    It's so easy to give other people advice and so hard to give it to ourselves.

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  2. Yikes….I have been going down the same road and rethinking is totally necessary. You asked so my gut feeling is you a much bigger break. Why are you pushing yourself? Why? Your "want to do" list looks daunting!

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  3. Hi Dee, I have been subscribed to your blog for I think over a year now. I love how you paint, so joyful and a wonderful celebration of life. I admire your energy and the amount you paint, you're absolutely right though, there has to be a balance otherwise the love for painting does diminish and fatigue takes over. I've been painting for three years and feel I have barely scratched the surface, I still have so much to learn, so my plan is to keep painting and keep learning. : )

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  4. Hi Dee! I enjoy your blog and your artwork! I have been saying for a while now that the word for me in 2014 is BALANCE, it can be so hard to achieve. Sounds like you are on the same quest! Good luck to us both!

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  5. I don't know why, but I do not think you could manage two years in a row WITHOUT pushing yourself a little bit. So I say, GO FOR IT and at least if you do HALF of the things on your list you will feel productive and stimulated. The thing you now know is how not to burn out.
    I especially like the idea of a woman's art group to support and share. Could be great if the responsibilities are shared by all.
    Good luck, my dear art friend.

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  6. Thanks guys, for your input.
    My heart is really pushing me to do the Women of Willard project.
    Also, the weight loss and knees are at the very top of my list.
    The women's art group sounds like a great idea - as long as it doesn't become an overly stressful event in itself, lol!

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