2013 Goals

Now that the new year has begun, it is time to start looking forward. This year, I’m planning more than I have in the past. Maybe by sharing goals on my blog, I’ll feel more accountable.

I went back and forth on some of these. The truth of the matter is that as much as I would like gallery representation, I know from my mom, a very talented impressionist painter, that the galleries in Atlanta typically demand 20 of your newest pieces with a regular rotation. My current mode of working requires a month or two to complete one piece. Last year, I completed only six pieces. So it comes down to the desire to enter exhibitions versus gallery representation (even if I could produce enough work to satisfy the inventory demands of a gallery). I could put both on my goals list, but I know that realistically, only one will work. I chose exhibitions.

I am, however, considering starting a different series of smaller pieces that I could complete more quickly and that I could then list on some online galleries. I’m going to experiment with that. You’ll notice I put it at the bottom of the list with asterisks as caveats. I’m uncertain about these goals for several reasons — we’ll see how it goes.

I’m also planning to start writing more on my Facebook Page and my blog — and I’ll be visiting my local galleries, getting to know them, and then I’ll share all of that local flavor with you. There are a LOT more galleries than I thought in my town — but I think that it’s important to get to know your local art scene as intimately as possible. I’ve been cooped up in my studio a bit too much. Time to get out and shake things up a bit. EVENTUALLY I hope to add some galleries in downtown Atlanta — but for now, I’m starting small.

• Have at least 2 years of my blog printed into hardback books (plan to use Blog2Print.com).
• Design & print new business cards.
• Take a photography class (probably lynda.com).
• Develop a workshop on Choosing Fabrics Creatively.
• Finish a piece to enter Sacred Threads 2013.
• Develop new method for designing quilt labels on the Apple platform so that I can finally pitch my PC.
• Complete the first draft of a book about Textile Portraits.
• Join Southeast Fiber Arts Alliance.
• Increase blog posts to once a week.
• Create at least six portraits.
• Create an Art Contact email and snail mail list.
• Double the number of Facebook Page fans.
• Enter at least 6 different exhibitions.
• Update Facebook banner with newer work.
• Post to Facebook Page 3x per week.
• Visit at least 12 art galleries in Roswell and write a review of at least one exhibition per gallery.
• Increase web traffic 20% from last year.
• Make spreadsheet with goals and dates to monitor progress.
• *** Make two small pieces per month.
• *** List small work on artfire.com or artfulhome.com.