2015 Recap

It is definitely that time of year. In the blogging world, bloggers are posting recaps and plans for the new year.

Facebook is filled with “Year in Review” and “Most” lists.

So, obviously, I have to post my own accomplishments.

The 2015 List (Accomplishments in red) (sortofs in purple)

Painting

  • Keep painting
  • Write more exclusively about art in my blog
  • Enter both WSO shows
    • April
    • October
  • Do both Open Studios of Beavercreek shows
    • June
    • October
  • Do the CC Artist Exhibition show
    • Unknown
  • Two two rotations at the TRAG Gallery
    • Unknown
    • November & December rotation
  • Enter OSA Shows
    • January – volunteer show
    • February – ensemble
    • March – juried
    • April – nautical
    • June – Rose Show
    • July – not just black & white
    • September – juried
    • October – not just portraits & figures
    • November – 200 for under $200 (I will consider)
    • December – Urban & Rural Landscapes
  • Do an Artbiz course
  • Enter the Equine Art Show (Emerald Downs)
    • July
  • Submit to the AAEA Show
    • June Deadline

Continue to work on my lifestyle improvement project

  • Go to Weight Watchers regularly
    • Eat more vegetables
    • Eat less sugar
    • Eat more fiber
    • Drink water
  • Participate in walking challenges (particularly with the dog)
  • Continue going to yoga twice a week

Reading

Pets

  • Walk the dog as much as possible
  • Continue volunteering at SEO
    • If possible, join VEEP
  • When I loose enough weight, start taking riding lessons
  • Play with the cats
  • No new pets this year

Knitting

  • Go on a yarn diet (after January 1)
  • Learn continental knitting
  • Process (clean, card, & spin) my fleece

Money

  • Get credit card debt back to $0
  • Build savings (including property tax money)
  • Live on a budget every month

Home

Environmental

  • Continue 2013 goal of not taking plastic bags at the store
  • Continue 2014 goal of using coffee cups at coffee place
  • Use doggie pick up bags even when hiking

Random

Thoughts

On first seeing this list again I was struck by two things: 1) Gosh, that’s long list, and 2) I really got off track.

I think that’s a pretty fair summary of the year. Long and off track.

But I think there are a few things to talk about.

Painting. While I didn’t do much in the way of original painting, I had a great year for my paintings. From the solo show through Clackamas County Artist Exhibition to my entry in the American Academy of Equine Art, it was a good year for my paintings.

For this next year I will need to focus on actually painting more while not still hitting important deadlines.

Lifestyle improvement project. On this, I basically went backward. But I’m not giving up. Tomorrow is always a new day (or a new year…)

Reading. 100 books seems to be a good number. Easy enough to do, hard enough to challenge me.

Pets. This category may be an entire situation next year, but I’m excited I didn’t break my “no more pets” resolution.

Knitting. I am taking this off my list. It’s not a priority.

Money. Rather unexpectedly, with the sale of my house, things really got paid off. Now the trick will be to keep it that way.

Home. Huh.

Environmental. While I didn’t do as well as I hoped, there is always next year…

Random. I think I’m going to move this off my list too…

Conclusions

Clearly, I get off track and I need to focus. Basically, the same thing my website stats of yesterday showed me!