Blog

I'm raking a different approach to the New Year this time around. In past years, I've tried setting goals or intentions of what to work on, improve or strive for. As I mentioned in my latest newsletter (sign up here), 2024 had different plans for me than I had for myself. A reality check, literally and figuratively. Where I very, very much don't want to repeat that experience in my creative practice, what I can learn from the year behind me in order to set up the year ahead?

 

For starters, I can't create for the sake of being productive. I wanted to grow my body of work, take commissions and be an artistic machine.

 

How cute! My artwork doesn't happen that way. After making "With These Hands," my Unfinished Pile grew considerably. I didn't think I was lacking inspration but I was definitely lacking something, for all these pieces to trail off incomplete.

 

Turns out I wasn't listening to my creativity. I wasn't in tune. I wasn't working intuitively. I wasn't *into* it. (Like that use of alliteration? Me too.)

 

Another hard truth was that I wanted to create work in order to chase social media approval. Threads has become my main platform, with a health list of nearly 600 followers and some great interactions with fellow artists and other creatives. I even made a new friend in real life (hi Kristin)!

 

And that's the difference:  IN REAL LIFE. All of my sales in 2024 happened out of in-person events or exchanges. Actual sales!

 

Now, social media has value for sure, and I'm thankful for each person online who shares enthusiasm for artwork. BUT. The magic is happening in person, and that's something I can't ignore. I also can't overlook the fact that social media is fraught with instability and headed in directions that don't align with my values (looking at you, Meta).

 

Recognizing the limits of social media will let me channel energy and efforts to where I'll see the success I want. Listening to my creativity will put me in the right head space to work with organic and authentic intention.

 

Learning from 2024 to set up 2025. That's the plan.