Plans for 2023!!!
Hello! Can you believe we are already a month into 2023?! Many people find the months of January and February pretty bleak but I actually find them quite exciting! Firstly, my kiddies were born in these months so we have three birthdays to celebrate, but also I love to plan the year, think about what I would like to achieve, places to go to, things to see….its all pretty exciting to think this is all ahead of us! So, after reviewing 2022 in my last blog it seemed obvious to dedicate this blog to my plans, hopes and dreams for 2023!
Last year was spent setting up and getting organised ready to open this Art business of mine in September. I loved the commissions I had the opportunity to create and I sold a few prints here and there. I definitely took the slow and steady approach whereas this year my intention is to be ‘on it’! One of the first things I did after Christmas was to fill in my Makers Yearbook Planner. This is my second year using this planner and I love it! Not only can I plan short term but I can map out intentions for the whole year which help to keep me focused, especially as time seems to fly, right?!
This years planner has more plans in it than last year and I am so excited! I’ve decided to branch out into seasonal work; Valentines Day and Christmas, so watch my instagram page for updates on work completed and when its popped into my Etsy shop. I have also successfully applied to exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Fair at Sandown Racecourse, Esher in March. I am thrilled about this. I can’t wait to display my work, talk to potential customers and meet other artists. I will be spending part of February getting ready for this and if it goes well my intention is to exhibit there again in September! Between the fairs I will also look into exhibiting my work in my local high street; there are several independent cafes which display work by local artists.
One of the areas I know I need to improve on is my marketing. I am not good at it. I need to advertise more and get out there more! I’ve already popped my details on the information boards of local businesses, and the fairs will hopefully have a positive impact. I also know I need to post more on instagram, especially reels, to keep the algorithm god happy! This is an area I will be working on this year!
As far as work goes, I already have a large A2 commission, which is such a great start to 2023! I’ve been asked to draw the six houses my clients’ lived in since marriage 45 years ago, so its a little different to what I’ve painted and drawn before but a great piece to get my teeth into! I have already started the Inktober 52 challenge, which if you didn’t know lasts for a whole year and each week you are given a prompt to respond to using ink. I am hoping this will be a great way to keep my hand in when the business side takes over, during the school holidays and as a way of developing my drawing skills and exploring ideas. I might also frame a selection of these for the Arts fair in September…..but we will see!
On a personal level, my plans are to spend time with my family. We have a lovely holiday to Rhodes booked in the summer which we are already looking forward to and are so ready for. I would also like to move forward with doing up our home - its a fairly big project and its the plumbing and final bedroom which needs sorting out! After seeing a physio I am also hoping to be back out running again by the summer, fingers crossed! So far 2023 feels like a positive year, of course there will be bumps along the way but that’s life, but I intend to focus on the positive and enjoy the journey. I hope you have some great plans for 2023?
Kelly x