New Years Resolutions...

RobinSlee

With Christmas neatly upon us and a whole new year just about to start. I wonder what personal goals you guys are setting for yourselves? Personally, I really want to start spending more time sketching again, working nights has really limited my free time these past few months. I also want to push my social media sharing and start building a bit of a following. Plus, I want to create and share a personal project I have had at the back of my mind for a long time now. What do you have planned for 2017 ?

anthemsweet

@RobinSlee One of my goals is to focus on making the kind of art that means the most to me, that speaks to my own heart. I'm not trying to create a free-lance career, but sometimes I act like it and get mired down doing things for other people in a way that puts me really off my own course and wastes my limited time.

RobinSlee

@anthemsweet Great point. Drawing, painting and any kind of creative hobby is driven by a desire to create. When you get to create the things that you want to create, the whole process becomes so much more personal and enjoyable. I wish you all the best for the new year, and if you feel like sharing your creations, then please do. Thanks for sharing

Dulcie

I want to do better with my social media for 2017. It's never been my strong point, am going to try to keep the mantra of 'post, follow, engage' that @smceccarelli mentioned (on Twitter at least, we'll see about Instagram..)

lmrush

I want to build a strong portfolio

Leontine

I want to finish my Personal Project #100kids #Childrensbook

andyjewett

Ultimately, my hope is that this might be the year I am able to take the leap into full-time freelance work.

natiwata

I really hope to sell my first picture book this year! I've been getting a couple of dummies ready for my agent to send to a list of editors in January. I still have a lot to do, daunting, nerve wracking, but excited to see what happens.

smceccarelli

Wow, so much inspiration in these thoughts! Like @andyjewett I hope to be in the position to quit my part-time job and go into full-time freelance illustration by the end of 2017. And also, have my book dummy ready for querying by mid-year.

andyjewett

@smceccarelli I may need to take the intermediate step of a part-time job before taking the larger leap of full-time freelance. My job at present is a 40-60 hour a week job with a ton of creative projects (Creative/Media Director of a large church)... but ultimately illustration and sequential art are my first loves.

I have always made the safer choice due to an overwhelming sense of responsibility (wife and four kids, mortgage, etc)... BUT, with thought and putting things in place (business plan, capital, etc.) it's becoming more and more possible. It's never going to be the perfect time, there will always be a cost (leap of faith) but I am encouraged that I am getting closer to that day by day!

I hope you reach your goal too!

smceccarelli

@andyjewett Yes, I can relate to that - similar paths! I was/am Art Director for corporate marketing for a large company. It was a wonderful job with lots of creative potential (and a great team to learn from!) and even the occasional illustration job - but yes, full time was sucking my soul. They agreed to switch me to a 20-hour contract, doing almost the same kind of stuff, but without the responsibility. It is quite a win-win, as I still get enough money to keep the family life-style unchanged but can now seriously look into freelance illustration. I hope that picks up, though, and allows me to go full freelance. The taste of freedom is quite addictive, I have to admit...

andyjewett

@smceccarelli I have often said to my wife (who is a saint) that if I could just work a put this box on this shelf type job I would be more hungry to hit the personal projects... because often times I come home drained of creativity.

I have had to become far more intentional about my freelance work and personal projects... tired can't be a barricade.

Anyways, I feel like I am derailing the thread here.