Reflection

Over on How She Creates last week Lauren & Caylee delivered a wonderful podcast that concentrated on reflecting on 2017 and the goals they are setting out for 2018. In this post I will be using the questions set out and reflect on how 2017 went for me. If you are new to How She Creates then I highly recommend you head over to Lauren Like Blog and have a listen. You will also find the Free Reflection PDF here.

Lets get started…

During Reflection

How did I feel creatively in 2017?

On a whole quite good. I think since joining Get Messy my creativity has blossomed and with the added bonus of having the Seasons it has given me the creative push I was looking for.

Am I happy with the quantity of what I made in 2017?

The quantity has come as a surprise really especially with the Season of Connections this was the season I got the most done and I was proud of nearly finishing my journal. I’m looking forward to revisiting it and getting it finished.

With my general daily art I don’t think there is as much there which is something I am working on for 2018.

Am I happy with the quality of what I made in 2017?

Again I will go back to the Season of Connections where the quantity and quality of my work came as a surprise. On a whole I think the quality was great. There are a few pages I wasn’t happy with but that was ok with me.

Quality for me come with how interested I am in the subject.

Was there anything I wished that did but didn’t?

I wish I had got in tune with more of the Seasons than I did and tried harder to understand the prompts and interpret them in my own way.

I wish I was more active as a member of the community and get involved more. I think it is only towards the end of the year that I have felt safer getting involved and connecting with other.

What prevented me from creating what I wanted to create ? Time? Lack of knowledge? Lack of belief in myself? No support system?

I think for me it was a multitude of different aspects. Mostly time and general day to day life..This was at the start of the year but I think I have managed to get better throughout the year.

Was I good about blogging? Should I invest in my blog and a .com or should I take a deliberate break from blogging?

I have been terrible when it has come to blogging about my art journaling and art in general. I was acutely aware of this and it stuck a nerve with me in the middle of the year which is when I had decided that I was going to dive in and get myself a website and be more active.

What did I learn about myself and my art?

I have learnt that I don’t have to spend forever thinking about something to create, even just putting paint on paper is being creative. I have also learnt that still I have no style but many styles and thats ok. I can change things up in my work the way that I want to and not feel pressured into being a certain way.

What does being deliberate in my creativity look like to me?

I’m not quite sure about this question. I try and be deliberate by creating everyday even if it means planing.

How does prioritising art in my life affect me ? Does it make me a better wife/mother/friend? Does it relieve stress?

For me it relieves stress and keeps me calm and sane. It’s the one thing I think to do when my emotions run high.

During Planning

How do I want to feel creatively in 2018?

I want my art to be consistent and to be able to stick to the goals I have put in place.

How much do I want to create in 2018?

I want to be able to fulfil my weekly goals and at least do a page for each set of prompts in a season.

At what quality do I want to create in 2018?

I would like the quality of my personal work to high and of a professional quality but when it comes to my art journal the quality isn’t something I am to bothered by.

What new creative avenues do I want to explore?

I would like to find the time to explore collage and junk journaling. I would also like to make a few tutorials and get into videoing my process of work more.  I would also like to work more on my landscape paintings/drawings.

What current avenues do I want to hone in on?

I want to be more active on social media i.e Instagram and my website.

I want to do more in my Abstract work and develop further with possible collaborations.

How can I fight against the stuff that prevented me from creating – what I wanted to? Do I need to wake up earlier to get stuff done? Do I need to take a course? Do I need to find a community?

I need to plan out my time better especially after work and on a weekends. Even if I am tired I will have art projects that need to be completed. Maybe have set days for doing certain creative projects.

How can I prioritise my creativity? How can I prioritise my art?

I need to possibly give up maybe TV time or time out from other hobbies to find more time to be create. Or if possible be creative whilst watching TV and being with family.

When it comes to being at work I will keep my notebooks with me to write down or sketch out ideas.

Is there one word that summarises what I’d like to invite in 2018?

Consistency.

Do you have a word to summarise what you would like to invite into 2018? If so then please feel free to comment I’d love to know what word your going to use and why.

That’s all from me…Have a wonderfully creative day.

E x