Reflections on 2012

Wow, 2012 is over and it's nearly time to think about my goals and plans and word for 2013.

Looking back over some blogposts I wrote in early January 2012 about my plans/dreams/schemes for this year I can see that sometimes we just don't have enough time to do all the things we'd like to do.

The highlight of the year was my American Adventure and my art classes at Squam with Kelly Barton and Sarah Ahearn.  I had an awesome time meeting up with some online arty friends too.

I was part of the 30x30x30 Challenge Exhibition and completed 30 paintings in 30 days and sold 21.

I also joined my friend June Stevens for an exhibition and sold two paintings.

I loved the Life Book 2012 online course and my girls have improved....

I learnt so much from going to a local art class each Wednesday with mixed media artist Neil Elliott.

An article I wrote was published!

My word for 2012 was Courage and these are the goals I achieved from the list I wrote in January:

• To be the real and authentic me
• To take risks with my creations/art/paintings
• To live my dreams, follow my passions and create an artistic life
• To be part of as many exhibitions as possible.
• To reach out to others, include them in my life and artistic community.
• To say 'Yes' to opportunities
• To get my writing and artwork published.
• To leave the secure environment of my home.
• To travel to USA, Canada.
• To travel alone and with friends.
• To attend a workshop in the States and to make it the most awesome life and learning experience possible.
• To meet people whom I've never met but whom I know and hold a special place in my heart.

How did your 2012 go?  Have you chosen your word for 2013?  We are doing a blog hop and I'd love for everyone to join in.

30x30x30 Challenge Update

Last weekend was the 30x30x30 Challenge Exhibition where 900 8inch square paintings were on sale.  It was a great success for the Treetops Montessori School, my friend June Stevens sold 22 (maybe more - I haven't had an update yet), Leanne Fry sold 26 and I sold 21 - an awesome result all round.

Here are my paintings:

Citrus Sunburst

Here are all 30 exhibited:

 

Many thanks to the organisers and to everyone who supported the event and bought a painting esp one of mine. Thank you.

Shell's Sunday Snippets

Joining in with {tinniegirl} for  {sunday snippets}: a collection of photos from your week.  No need for words.  Let the pictures tell your story.

New Girl and a New Month.

Earlier this week I started a new girl, I need to work on her hair now that it is dry and try to define it more from her dress.  A few months ago I had planned to spend May catching up on Life Book 2012 and  working on my faces.  Ayala is hosting a 29 Faces in the month of May and I recommend that you check it out if you are into faces or portraits as some very talented artists are involved.

Did you see the other girl I was working on prior to the one above??  Check out this blog post...

If you are into drawing/painting flowers then head over to Lori Moon's blog and check out her May Flower Challenge.  Rose from my garden...

Today I did some finishing touches to my 30 canvases for the 30x30x30 Challenge:

Before:

I'm not sure what the other artist are doing to the backs of their canvases but it was suggested that we put some wire on them and I like to add the brown artist's tape to neaten up the backs too.


Hope you have a great weekend and create some art, it's going to be raining here in Perth for the next week so that means plenty of time to paint...I hope....  :D

Day 30 - 30x30x30 Challenge

"Paintbrushes down, step away from your easels!"

On Australian television there are many cooking competitions and there words are: "Tools down, step away from your bench", so today ends the painting section of the 30x30x30 Challenge.  I have varnished with liquid gloss my canvases and will give them a spray varnish later today whilst the sun shines.  All my paintings were created with artist quality paints such as Matisse, Atelier and Golden Fluid Acrylics which come from the USA.  The majority of paintings are acrylic but some are mixed media, some are my layered, stain glass window style and a couple are my girlies whilst others are mixed media and some are experiments but they were all great fun to create.

The organisers have asked the artists not to preview any finished paintings before the big night in September so you will have to wait for my blog post in late September to see all my creations.  But here is a sneak preview of part of a set I call Citrus Sunburst:

So if you like this one you will have to buy the whole set!!!  ;)


What's next for me?  I'll blog again later today about the exciting month of May as our power is about to go out so new power poles can go up in a nearby street.