Thursday, December 29, 2011

Last One In -- (Reviewing 2011Goals)



Last One In
© Marian Fortunati
10" x 8" Oil on RayMar Canvas
For additional details, click on
the link above.


Sometimes I just have fun playing with paint.

I used two different photo references from a trip I took aboard a 50 foot sailboat to the British Virgin Islands (The BVI) to create the sketch for this painting.   My daughter and I had soooooooo much fun on this trip!!!  It was exotic, exciting and beautiful.   It was one of those memories that will never fade.

I find that I enjoy working with a palette knife.  I suppose the more I do it, the better I'll get!  As I was creating this colorful scene, I thought it might look as exotic as the place that inspired it.




THE YEAR IN REVIEW


I guess it's time to look back at the goals I set last year and see how I did.   I've been avoiding this, because I suspect I didn't meet many of them.... but here goes:

  • Increase my painting skills though continual daily painting.
    Okay....  I think I did well with this one.   I did paint ALMOST every day and I do think my skills have improved.   Of course I will always hope to improve, and there are a variety ways of evaluating this... but for now, I'd say this goal has been met.   (YAY)
  • Study regularly with a high level plein air and studio artist so that I regularly can take plein air studies to make larger, studio pieces.
    Ha!  ...  Met this one too.   So far, so good.   I studied with David Gallup for most of the year.  I took some time off toward the end of the year, but plan to return to his regular classes in the new year.   (Check)
  • Paint en plein air AT LEAST three times a month.
    Yep!!..   Another one met... With pleasure and joy!
  • Sketch or draw at least weekly.
    Oops...  Not weekly... maybe monthly... if you're just talking about sketching and drawing and not counting the sketches to get ready to paint.  :o(
  • Continue exhibiting in "La Galeria Gitana" and seek other appropriate venues to exhibit my work.
    Met...  but I really need to work on this one.  The themes for La Galeria Gitana aren't ones I think I'd like to work at so I'll need to seek another regular venue.../ gallery.
  • Show in appropriate venues that will enable me to expand my collector base.
    Also met.   I've gained quite a few new collectors this year and they were mostly sold from galleries and new venues.
  • Sell 50% more paintings (and make more $) than in 2010.
    NOPE... not met.   I made approximately the same $$ that I did in 2010.   I'll have to evaluate this one a bit more.   Not sure if it's my work, the economy or "just because".
I guess I didn't do as badly as I had feared.   Of course there is still lots of room for growth.   I've read several blog posts from artists and other experts on marketing and on evaluating and setting goals so I'll look through those and use them to help set goals for 2012.

I hope your 2012 is filled with joyous occasions and satisfaction!!


Comment on or Share this Article >>

11 people commented. Comments mean a lot. THANKS!:

conservativelybohemian said...

Love the painting, Marian! It sounds like a truly wonderful trip too. I wish I could do that with my daughters. I hope one day. Anyway, good job on meeting those goals! You did a fine job!

Pam Holnback said...

I think that you did really well. Every time I look at your work it just gets better and better. As far as sketching and drawing, just take 10 minutes to sketch the scene before you start painting. My goal for selling more was to sell 25% more. Happy New Year.

Marie Theron said...

Ah yes, lovely painting! We sailed the Caribbian in 1984 with all our children. The British Virgins were fantastic! All the best with your aims for the New Year!

Art with Liz said...

I agree, great painting - love palette knife work. And I think goal setting is very brave, so well done on completing 99% (?) of what you set yourself last year. I remember thinking then, that's one heck of a lot of goals to achieve. Good work.

Marian Fortunati said...

Well, Liz... I set goals which I wanted to achieve but I didn't set them too high because I didn't want to fail.

I need to figure some stuff out to set realistic goals for 2012 that will help me move forward. Hmmmm

Marian Fortunati said...

Sherry... That trip WAS wonderful.... Taken about 13 years ago... and still alive in my memory today!!

Marian Fortunati said...

Pam... As I said to Liz... If you set your goals too high and can't reach any of them, it doesn't do anything but depress you. If you set them too low... it doesn't challenge you much.

Gotta work on next year.

Marian Fortunati said...

Marie... Wouldn't you just love to go back???

Sue Pownall said...

Congratulations o a very successful year!!! I think the $ is "just because" as your work is lovely.

Aubrey said...

Wow- this painting alone (even beyond your goals for 2011) is an achievement. It is loose, fresh and vibrant. -Beautiful!

Marian Fortunati said...

Thanks, Sue.. Hopefully we'll all keep on painting and drawing just because we enjoy it, right??

AUBRY!! Thanks for stopping by. I enjoy using the palette knife every once in a while because it does force me to be a bit looser. I appreciate your kind comment!

Please Enjoy Some Of My Paintings

or subscribe by email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner