Tuesday, March 25, 2008

March Goals Review: Rethinking the Plan

Pear Blossoms
brush and ink, 5 in x 7 in
copyright Rose Welty 2008

At the end of last year, I spent lots of time mulling over goals for 2008. I tried very hard to set myself an achievable challenge. Enough to feel like a stretch, but not too much to necessarily fail.

I did well in January, began to fall a bit behind in February, and now in March, I've achieved very little of what I planned for this month. So I'm having a bit of a rethink. Part of this results from the changing needs of my family and my recognition that I want to enjoy them and not always feel like they are taking away valuable art time! :D

What I Really Enjoy
  • digital painting and sketching on the Nintendo DS
  • experimenting with CPs
  • historical reading of artists, their lives and their techniques
  • brush and ink drawing
Areas I Want to Concentrate On (for now)
  • basics of drawing - seems to me that sometimes I commit obvious errors and that a study of drawing would really help my confidence (and help me to see better)
  • figure drawing - people fascinate me and I really want to incorporate them more into my work, but I need practice and greater knowledge
The above two lists have not significantly changed from the end of last year, but I think my implementation of them will have to change. I would still like to get through the Mendelowitz drawing book, explore color, and participate in some research projects. I had some other goals of starting paintings, entering a competition, and doing some polished works. Those are the goals that may have to take a back seat.

So, here is a revised look at April.

Business
  • Finish still life commission. (I've done one and a half of three in the series.)
  • Update website. (This will remain something I do at least once a month.)
Research
  • Finish Taschen book on Japanese prints.
  • Try and find another book on ukiyo-e
  • Keep up Degas reading. (He was so influenced by the prints that I allowed myself to start reading about him this month, but now I've found a few great books and I just can't stop and wait until later in the year. This is partly what has slowed the ukiyo-e progress.)
Artwork
  • Work through some of the Mendelowitz book.
  • Sketch people, both from life and from references.
  • Sketch with colored pencils, working on my use of color.
  • Sketch digitally.
Above you see a brush and ink drawing I did this weekend. A couple of weeks ago the bradford pear tree in my front yard bloomed - truly a beautiful sight. The blossoms don't last long, but they are stunning when the neighborhood is filled with them. I took a bunch of pictures, knowing I would have to pick up the brush again.

7 comments:

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

I truly admire how organized you are with your goals and plans. I understand how hard it is to balance everything. It's a good thing to set goals and a good thing to be flexible. That's something I'm having to learn. :)

Jeanette Jobson said...

You're moving ahead and making progress. As long as you move ahead, even incrementally, that's all that counts.

The flowers and branches against the sky are beautiful. I think you've found your niche in this type of work.

Rose Welty said...

Kasie, yes that balance is key, and a tough one.

Jeanette, thanks for your kind words. As you say, progress is progress. This was one of those drawings where it all just clicked.

Belinda Lindhardt said...

Its hard isn't it Rose. I know i struggled with a similar thing recently.

Well done for recognizing the issue and changing it early :)

Valerie Jones said...

I love the painting! I agree with Jeanette...you found your niche with this one.

Ann said...

It's always an ongoing process, isn't it? I think that's part of what being an artist is about - it's never a straight path to my goals but it is interesting!

The brush painting is outstanding!

Jo Castillo said...

I agree with all of the above. Hard to keep a schedule. Wow, I couldn't do that. My art didn't have a chance until my kids were grown.

The ink drawing is just lovely.

Sorry I haven't been commenting. Behind on everything. I have 8 more posts from just you to read. Ahhh. Here I go. Keep up the good work even when you don't hear from me. Ha.