January Goals Update

"November Sunset, Indian Peaks"
Oil on Canvas
16x20"
2008

So, I didn't do very well at meeting my art business (and other) goals last year, and decided that to make my goals this year I need to check my status every month. I know it's boring, but I'm doing it here because it makes me feel more accountable, so bear with me. It's the last day of January, and here's where I'm at:

1. Get my work into three more galleries.

I sent out a couple of packets at the end of last week, and have made a short list and long list of galleries to contact in the coming months. I'm hoping to make more contacts in February - I was busy meeting other deadlines in January!

2. Complete 100 paintings.

This month I completed nine paintings which puts me right on track for this goal - 1 24x30", 1 18x24", 1 16x20", 2 14x18", 1 12x16", 1 11x14", 1 9x12", 1 8x10". One of them is probably destined for the trash pile, but that's okay - it was a learning experience. So - 9 down, 91 to go!

3. Sell enough work to pay our mortgage.

So far so good on this one. Just gotta keep the paintings selling on a regular basis (see goal #1)!

4. Update painting database and financial records monthly.

So far I'm behind on this one. I got through about 80% of my 2007 accounting this month (starting from scratch) and made a spreadsheet for 2008. I have all of my earnings/receipts organized for this month, so I just have to enter them in my spreadsheet to see how things look this month - I'm planning to get this done early next week.

5. Race in a minimum of three 5k's.

I've already changed my focus here and decided to train for a sprint triathlon this summer instead. I get bored just running, and then I quit, so I'm going to do the tri thing to keep me interested. So far so good - I was even disciplined enough to go to the pool last night in a snowstorm, when I would have been much happier going to bed!

In general, I think I'm doing pretty well so far. Knowing that I'm going to watch these goals monthly has really helped this month with my productivity.

In other news, I just found out that I got two paintings accepted into the Salon International show at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio in April. I've got another opening to attend the same night, so I won't be able to attend, but I'm jazzed to be a part of such a high quality show!

Tomorrow I'm off to Estes Park for the weekend to scrapbook and hang out with some friends. This will be my first time leaving Aspen at home and going somewhere on my own - Nate and I have gone on a couple weekend trips without her, but this is the first time I'll have some quality girl time since she was born! I'm excited to get her baby book done so I can stop feeling like a bad mom...