I don’t normally make a list of New Year’s Goals, but I have seen how making goals (i.e. a To-Do List) does seem to help me stay on track and I accomplish more with a list then I do without one. I should also probably pull together a vision board as a visually oriented person, this can help me solidify my goals.

So, I’ve come up with a list that can guide me through the coming year. These are not in any particular order and many are dependent upon each other. I can also change the list if needed. But it gives me a starting point:

• Complete 40+ paintings this year. (That is less than 1 a week but more than the 30 I did in 2019) (Because I have a lot of activities for time away from home, this means I either need to paint when I’m on the road or work more hours in the studio or figure out how to work on more than one painting at a time).
• Change the kind of stretcher bars I use (but use up the ones I have). I like the ones I have been using in all things EXCEPT when it comes to framing. They are too thick (1.25″ deep) and most frame rabbits are about .5″ to .75″ deep, so I either need to go back to panels or find shallower stretchers.
• Attend FACE 2020 (already paid registration and hotel reservation is made, so I think this one will definitely happen) (Sometimes you need an easy goal on your goal list, don’t you think?)
• Upgrade my PayPal Account so I can accept payments on line for paintings. (This one scares me because it’s technical, but I need to do it) (Maybe I can enlist the aid of my husband who is much better at this sort of thing than I am).
• Complete at least two larger paintings.
• Work out how I will begin accepting portrait commissions. I will need to do some advertising (which is an investment) and work up a contract for use with clients/patrons.
• Create at least one video in which I either demonstrate my painting method or at least talk about a piece. (I’m going to try and recruit one of my grand-daughters to help me with this).
• Add one or two galleries for representation. (This means setting up my on-line portfolio again and getting on the road to visit some dozen+ prospects). And screwing up my courage to approach them.
• Update my Artist Bio and Artist Statement and review at least quarterly.
• Have a successful show at Stewart Gallery in May. (My current definition of successful is to have it not only pay for itself (last year’s definition) but show a profit).
• Clear out all the weaving equipment from the studio. (I hope to sell the equipment, but may consider giving it away to clear the space) In it’s place I’ll set up an area to do framing.
• Teach one art class quarterly. (or maybe more)
• Double my net profit income. (Honestly, this shouldn’t be too hard if I paint enough, advertise and find additional gallery representation).
• Pull together work for a show at Horne Harbor for the month of September.
• Visit the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. (I haven’t been in far too many years)
• Develop a theme for my next series. I like painting people working, but I want to figure out how to do beautiful work of people doing contemporary work. And then to convince them that it’s okay for me to take their photos.
• Hire someone to come model for me from time to time (or maybe regularly).
• Take at least one painting class (My husband paid for my registration for a watercolor portraiture class in April, so I think this one is in the bag)
• Get my weight back under control. (If I’m not healthy, I’m not going to be painting very long). This may also involve getting my ankle and hip fixed which is kind of daunting. I also want to get a dog so I’m sort of forced to go outside regularly and walk the dog… but my husband is fearful of getting another dog because he gets attached and when they reach the end of their life, he is heartbroken. He makes the excuse they are also inconvenient, but I think this is a poor excuse.
• Complete the Art Business Academy. I have about 6 lessons left. This was on my list of things from last year. But I need to really complete all the lessons and maybe go back and revisit a few as I’ve changed the way I work.
• Paint 5 days a week and get to the studio by 10 am every work day. Once I’m there I find the time flies and I look up and it’s 4 pm, but if I can add 2 hours to my work day, it will help increase my output, I think.
• Have a lovely vacation out West for our 20th Wedding Anniversary!

So, what do you think? The list looks frighteningly long to me at this point. For my artist friends, what are your goals for 2020? For my art patron friends, what are your goals?