Setting Realistic New Year’s Goals For Artists

Welcome back printmakers! A super warm welcome to the 32 new folks who joined the community last week! 

I feel like I am not done processing 2019 and 2023 is already here! Have you recovered from partying until midnight? Well, let's welcome the new year with some printmaking. 

In this week’s issue: 

• “New Year, New Me”

• My 2023 Goals 

• Speedball Instagram Takeover Update 

Let’s dive in! 

New Year, New Me

This article requires strict reader participation. I’d like you to raise your hand, yes I mean it, if you are reading this in your car, your work station, or in bed.

Raise your hand if you ever made a New Year’s Resolution.

Raise your hand if you made your resolutions public - either online or to a friend/family member. I know I have!

Raise your hand if you wrote a fancy unrealistic list. I once wrote that I wanted to learn Mandarin. 

Raise your hand if you actually completed every item on your list. If so, you deserve a huge congrats! Can we verify that claim? 

Now, I want you to raise your hand if you ever have felt guilty for not completing your list? Absolutely! I have every year and that’s okay. 

I do, however, have the formula to help you achieve all your New Year’s goals - especially when they relate to art! It is an easy fail-proof way to guarantee you never fall short on yourself. What is this magical formula? 

Not making a long list! 

If you don't make a list, you will not feel bad about not finishing the list! If you can’t swim against the current, swim with the current.You're welcome. :) That will be four easy payments of $39.99. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.  

I hope that made you laugh and made you realize how absurd this time of the year can be. 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that my creative blocks are correlated to my mental health. If I am feeling stressed, anxious and depressed, I will not be in the mood to create, much less to write down long lists of unrealistic goals. Around October, I laid out what I realistically could achieve before the end of the year and what was simply out of grasp with reality. 

1. Lose ten pounds before New Year’s Eve? Not gonna happen. 

2. Try out for the local adult football team? Somewhat. I went to a practice.

3. Pay the fees associated with playing tackle football? Probably not going to happen. 

4. Declutter and organize the studio? Doable. 

5. Carve and print three new pieces? Nope, but I could carve and print one.

6. Sharpen and hone all of my gouges? No brainer, but not urgent.

7. Pack and ship all orders in a timely fashion? A requirement!  

8. Respond to emails regarding marketeers? Stay professional, but it can wait.  

9. Reconcile the business account books? Yes, totally.

10. Reorder studio supplies? Eventually.

The way I set goals or make a list is very simple. I tackle tasks with the rule of three. On a regular day, I look at my calendar and scope out priority items, whether they are appointments, meetings or just reminders. I take a sticky note, and write three down. Those three items are my to do list. What makes it on the list is determined by process of elimination. 

Is it time-sensitive? Can I not move forwards with something else unless I complete or achieve this? Will this clear up time for me? 

From the original list, I tackled these items first. 

1. Pack and ship all orders in a timely fashion

2. Reconcile the business account books

3. Reorder studio supplies

What about the rest? Well, once I completed the original three I started a new list with what was left. 

1. Declutter and organize the studio

2. Sharpen and hone all of my gouges

3. Carve and print one new piece

I like this approach because it's not intimidating. It’s bite size. This list also does not distract me from my creative process, since it aids me push my artwork forward. Once a task is complete, I can throw away the list and start “fresh” if I have more tasks or goals to add.

For example, before I create a new piece, I need to make sure my tools are sharp, but before I can hone and sharpen my tools, I need to make sure I have a clean space to work in and store supplies. I can't order new supplies unless I know I will declutter my studio but I can't order new supplies if I don't have a budget for it. There is no way I can maintain a budget if I don't ship fulfill orders in a timely fashion. It’s all connected. You have to figure out what these connections are in your case and tackle those priorities first. 

My 2023 Goals 

Having shared this system, I will only share with you my top three art and personal goals for the next year. I have an extensive back-up list but these are the most important to me right now. 

Art Goals 

1. Create 5 new Yosemite prints in color 

2. Fill two sketchbooks with drawings! 

3. Make 12 YouTube videos

Personal Goals

1. Be intentional with my loved ones 

2. Show up to the gym every week 

3. Liquidate one source of debt

Most of these goals help me achieve other goals so I look forward to updating you all in future newsletter editions! I can't wait to hear what your goals are. 

Speedball Instagram Takeover 

I have been having a lot of fun on Instagram. I am very appreciative to Speedball for giving me the opportunity to showcase who I am and my work when it comes to printmaking. I hope you have been enjoying the posts and stories this week. I will have two more live sessions through my account @danielvillaart Can’t wait to see you there.

Before You Go, 

• Want to be part of the ‘Artist Highlight’ or know of someone who might be, fill out this interest form! 

• Do you have a printmaking or artist-related question you want me to answer? Reply to this email and let me know!

-Daniel