President's Message - February 2012

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Last Updated on Monday, 13 February 2012 02:16

Lin La MerAt this time of year, many of us refocus on our long term plans - our five year or ten year plan.  Those long term goals are fine.  But how do you get there?  I would suggest sitting down and writing a short term plan to reach the long term goal.  You can start small - say one week at a time and then a month at a time.  The most important thing is to write a plan. 

Let's say the plan for week one is to organize the studio.  It doesn't matter if your studio is a spare bedroom, what used to be your garage, or if it is outside of your home.  If you have it well organized you will get more done because you will spend less time looking for your things. 

Decide what you want to paint next.  Start two new 8 x 10 paintings, start developing a series of work, finish what you have hanging around needing one or two little things.  Or varnish things that need to be varnished.  Start thinking with a sketch book or note book.  Write it down, then when you get stuck you can refer to your notes. 

Developing a routine is a great way to keep you motived.  It can be as easy as committing to working four hours a day - some amount of time for you to be in your studio working on a regular basis.  This is your time - no babysitting, no laundry, no 'can you…' You deserve to have a block of time dedicated to your work, the same as the person that goes to the office.  It is as important to your well-being as eating right or getting enough sleep. 

I think you will find that having a plan, no matter how loose, will help you to do more work and enjoy it more.  It will also help you reach your long term goals.  Doing the little things on a regular basis will help to make it possible to meet those goals, perhaps even sooner than you thought.

Happy Painting,

Lin La Mer
EAFA President