Artistic Goals 2013 – Christina Fairley Erickson

Frozen bush from Dec 2008
No snow yet this year!

I’ve been working on putting my artistic goals down on paper (or in electrons) for some time now:

I defined what’s working and what’s not in my post “Painfully honest – Where am I Stuck?”
I thought through “Questions to Ponder While Writing Your Goals”
I structured a challenge to do a weekly small composition in “52 Weeks of Art – A Personal Challenge”
And I originally started thinking about “Goals for the Upcoming Year” back in November.

So, the clock is ticking towards midnight (and 2013) and I’m ready to state my goals and intentions, as well as to ask you to respond back to me what you are going to commit to doing.

Goals 2013:

1. Find and define my artistic voice or style.

a. The first way I will work on this is through my work with Gail Harker. Seeing the work of other students of Gail’s, I am struck with how each student makes artwork that is unique to each of them. I believe Gail has an incredible skill in teaching her students skills and processes, as well as how to make design decisions, without specifically teaching them to make artwork that is a particular style or that is similar to anything that she herself makes.

b. From my previous studies, one of the main things I’ve learned is that one’s artistic voice is found through practice, practice, practice. To this end I will do the following:

Ø Make a5” x 7” composition each week, working to enhance both my design and technical skills

Ø Make a 10” x 16” composition every 2 month as part of the Fiber Funster’s challenge

Ø Do all the coursework from Gail’s classes with a serious attitude toward excellence

c. Document my progress in my blog at least weekly (preferably daily) as well as documenting all my work for Gail.

d. Open the 5″ x 7″ challenge to anyone who is reading this blog to give others support, encouragement, and critiquing.

2. Ramp up my pictorial / representational quilts.

What does “ramp up” mean to me?

a. Increase my technical skill/proficiency to a high degree

b. Increase my composition skill-how the composition is placed/cropped, color usage, understanding innately and using good design principles with my compositions (balance, unity, contrast, value, movement, focal point, relationship (color, size, value, shape, texture, style, theme), visual bridges/elegant choices, integration.

c. Make and execute a plan to develop an intentional body of work that is authentic and expresses meaning to me. Meaning includes work that expresses my interests, my feelings, and my values. I will work on exploring meaning through writing about my work on my blog.

Beautiful icicles

3. Work at increasing my competency at working in a clean and organized studio space.

4. Explore opening my own Etsy storefront to sell my work by July 30, 2013

5. Work towards my goal of having a solo show by September 2015.

Steps to have a solo show:

a. Minimum of 12 finished pieces reflecting my integrated artistic voice

b. Find venues that would consider my work

i. Talk with other textile artists to find out where they’ve shown

ii. Make a running list of galleries

iii. Visit galleries and talk with gallery owners

c. Increased technical competence

d. Continued showing at national and local levels

e. Professionally marketing myself as an artist

i. Re-do my artist statement

ii. Update my website

iii. Write out a description of key phrases to describe my work

iv. Write up descriptions & diagrams on how to display my work

v. Write/send out press releases on my shows (build reputation)

vi. Create an artist portfolio

vii. Develop 10 ways to promote my art

f. Continue working as CQA Exhibitions co-chairperson through March 2014, to gain knowledge and experience on putting on exhibitions.

Hope you’re warm and safe
for the holiday!

6. Complete at least 1 art quilt or art cloth to enter in the Salsa! show at Mighty Tieton.

7. Complete at least 1 other medium-large piece and enter it in 1+ shows.

8. Complete at least 1 driftwood art sculpture to enter in the show in May.

Well, that’s my year for you (and a little beyond.) I’d love your support and comments, as well as hearing what you have planned for the upcoming year!

Hugs and Happiness in the New Year to all of you!