Looking Forward to 2012

Re-reading my beginning of the year posts from last year makes me laugh – meaning that I could say almost the same thing this year! In short, I had a great year.  I’m working towards figuring out what I like to do, and what I don’t like to do, when it comes to moving forward as an artist. The biggest realization for me was the beginnings of integrating my artistic and teaching sides. I really really like getting things published. It’s validating, fun, and an awesome way for me to reach more people. The opportunity to teach via DVD was unexpected and exciting. But I had more traditional teaching interactions last year too, and it was a) enjoyable and b) earned me money! Ding ding ding! 🙂

So this brings me to

My Word for 2012

Connect

I’d like to focus on connecting in couple of different ways:

1. Improving on how I connect with people online.
2. Combining different facets of my life, mainly finding new ways to become a teacher of what I do as an art quilter. I used to almost hide that I was a scientist while talking about my art, I really don’t know why, but I thought that I would be less of an “artist” this way. But I’ve received several compliments from people after they’ve either used a pattern I’d written or seen my DVD regarding on how much the like the way I create measurement tables, whether they are for amounts of dye or dimensions of fabric to cut. The way I approach dyeing and fabric construction resonates with a certain population of makers out there. I need to nurture that connection!

I’ve never been a fan of resolutions, they set me up for failure. But “inclinations” help me focus without all the baggage that comes along with resolutions. The ones I had last year and the year are still important to my growth as an artist, thus:

My Inclinations for 2012

Create more Art!

Communicate my Art!

Long Term Artistic Goals

1. Continue to work more in 3 dimensions.
2. Explore the shape/idea of house/home.
3. Continue to work with restricted color palettes.

Long Term Business Goals

1. Keep on keepin’ on in the money generation department. Try very hard not to get hung up on the bottom line, but remember that contributing to the family coffers can bring joy and relief to all four of us.
2. Launch first online dyeing class.

Long Term Online Goals

1. Find new ways to communicate with folks about your work: get Facebook fan page figured out, install some sort of commenting plugin that makes replying to comments easier.
2. Don’t get too hung up on stats. If you blog it, they will come! 😉

Pie in the Sky Goals

1. Get published in print…again! I’ve had such a great experience with this, I want it to continue.

Now, to get down to brass tacks! Here’s how I did on finishing up the year with a BANG!

December Goals

Oftentimes what didn’t happen in one month gets rolled over to another – this time I’m starting with a clean slate!

January Goals

Whoa, is that a short list or what? I am trying to be realistic – I’m teaching an overload this Spring (a new lab that I have to teach just like all the professors) at the day job and I’d like to really focus on my “Dyeing 101” course, so I’m going try to not get too distracted! Sharp-eyed readers will notice that I’ve already got 2 publications lined up, woot! Long time readers will know that I will not be satisfied with these and hope to find other opportunities this year as well!