Small Goals = Big Changes

Time to make a change? How many times, in the past, have you made those New Year’s Resolutions just to have them eventually be pushed by the wayside. As artists, we seem to be the worst at focusing on change. We tend to have our heads in more creative avenues and discipline is also not always our first concern. But, we feel, like everyone else, that there is always room for improvement. So, we make New Year’s Resolutions. Making them is easy, keeping them is another thing! We all want to paint more, be more creative, grow your art career, and learn more techniques. Those are all great intentions. What is difficult, is committing to change. Change like anything difficult, can be obtained by digesting small bites. So instead of making the Big Resolutions that seem to be desired, but not practical, make a list of small commitments. These small goals can become good habits, and can work toward those big changes.

1. NEVER resolve to “make more time to paint.”

COMMIT to setting aside a specific amount of time, say one hour a day or one day a week. Make sure you have a place to set up your painting stuff so you don’t have to put it away every time. And if you can’t find a specific time slot to commit to on a schedule, try Journaling as a convenient way to paint or draw every day. Choose portable mediums like an American Journey sketch pad along with Prismacolor colored pencils, Copic markers, or American Journey watercolor sticks to add color to your sketches. They take up little space and you can set up anywhere! Try to journal while waiting for a Dr.’s appointment, or at the laundry mat, or in the car waiting to pick the kids up from school. You’ll be surprised at the small bits of time you can steal away.

2. NEVER resolve to “be more creative.”

COMMIT to scheduling activities that help to inspire new art. Join a weekly painting group in your area, visit the library and scan the art section for inspiration and instruction, attend a workshop, visit an art museum. Try a new medium by purchasing a starter kit. Visit an art gallery or a fellow artist’s studio during open house events. Invest in a new instructional DVD or book. Or check out all the cool NEW Free videos on the Cheap Joe's YouTube Channel online! All of these ideas will help you to be more creative and inspire you to make new art.

3. NEVER resolve to “clean up your studio.”

COMMIT to organizing one area of your studio a week. Start with an area of the room that you are not working in. Take inventory and separate the materials you use daily from those you use on occasion or not at all. Build shelves, add hooks and fill Blue Hills Studio storage carts with supplies. Keep everything you need in sight. Store everything else in the ArtBin Quick View clear cases, totes or boxes, so you can find what you need more easily. Add a book shelf or a American Journey Taboret. Keep all of your workshop supplies stored in the ArtBin Tote Express. It is ready when you are to travel to your next class. Then,  donate any unneeded supplies to your community center or a retirement facility or hospital. After you have cleaned the area completely, commit to putting away your materials when you complete a new project. Before you know it you will be more organized than ever!

4. NEVER resolve to “be a professional full time artist.”

COMMIT to sharing your artwork with anyone you know. Don’t be afraid to tell others about your art and let them know you are available to create art for hire.  Keep photos of any art you create for compensation in a presentation case for a professional look. Build a portfolio and keep it accessible. Print up business cards and keep them with you. Build a website. Write a blog. Join art groups in your area. The more you expose your art to others, the more opportunities you create to make art. You never know when the right situation will present itself.  Also, never base the success of your art career on a single project or job. Come to terms with the fact that not everyone will like your artwork. Just know, everyone doesn’t have to like your work, as long as you do. Enjoy your art and opportunities will come from your enthusiasm.

5. NEVER resolve to “master your art”.

COMMIT to practicing and learning new things. Practice. Practice. Practice. Take pictures of your first paintings and place them in a With all of these small goals, you will ultimately work toward improving the artist in you. Achieving happiness in making art should be your main goal. Be nice to yourself and try to be non critical. Art is a very therapeutic process, and if we focus on the positive results art can bring, we can attract new and exciting discoveries and opportunities throughout the New Year! Also, don’t forget to reward yourself with small treats when you do achieve a goal. Maybe splurge on a new brush, paint color, book or DVD! So, go now, and make a list of goals, break them down into small commitments, and work on them one at a time. Above all, be happy with your art and share it. You will make those around you happy at the same time!

Have a Happy Achieve Small Goals Day!

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