Has anyone started planning out 2023 yet?
Anyone who knows me well, knows I’m not a great planner. In my head, maybe, but not on paper. Not like putting vision boards together and sorting out goals. I am, however, definitely trying to get better at this.
I think getting older, like 44 older, has definitely changed my approach to the year ahead. I now understand that I have a finite amount of time and as a working mum of two that my time has already got a few priorities that have to come before all the personal goals and achievements. It also has become apparent that I want to be more selective with who and what I want to spend that time on.
I have had to make some huge decisions about how much time is allocated to this art business. Even though this is something I want to take very serious and do as my full time gig one day, I had to put the breaks on slightly and realise I was spending a lot of time in areas that may have been a colossal waste of my time, that were getting me nowhere.
You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.
In the last little while I also got some big opportunities, huge! But, because I was stretching myself too thin I did not give my best to those things and well they came and they went. It was in finally achieving dreams of mine, and then losing them that really opened my eyes. I was literally throwing away opportunities that I had worked so hard to achieve because I couldn’t commit fully. I wasn’t putting my best foot forward. I was juggling so many balls and doing nothing well.
Instead of trying to chase all of the things, all of the time, I have taken a few deep breaths and decided to map out my plan for 2023 and stretch out my short term goals across the next 12 to 14 months into a more achievable plan, to take the pressure off.
I decided that in order to create quality work, I needed to be more pointed around what and when I am creating. I am now creating pieces for one or two shows to start with, instead of always creating loads of work for all of the shows. I am being more discerning about what I enter and not just applying to all of the things. I have shifted my concentration to developing my skills rather than trying to get into all of the stores and all of the shows. Don’t get me wrong, they are still part of the plan, it’s just now they are a nice to have rather than my sole driver for painting. I became more obsessed with getting into the stores and galleries rather than creating the best work I could. I started to consistently create work I was unhappy with. Not a great business plan or inspiring for creativity or sales for that matter.
The work I have put together for my ‘Stolen Moments’ show @thespace gallery_and workshops in Geelong, November 2nd - 26th is some of my favourite pieces I have ever done. Just by focussing on one or two areas, giving myself a break, and creating a plan for my art biz that was more realistic to my lifestyle, gave me the space to create some truely beautiful pieces. Pieces that I am super proud of and that showcase my skills and where I am right now.
I can not wait to show you,
Thanks for reading,
Vanessa x
P.S.
I just wanted to give a shout out and thank these artists for sharing their journeys, Laura Jane Day Susan Nethercote Steph Wallace Nic Everist Jacklyn Foster and Abbey Lee who I literally would not have pursued my art if they had not put themselves on the line and shared their stories. Please look them up and give them a follow.