2014

It's been a while since I updated this blog. There's a lot that's been going on over the last few months and for a slow typist like myself, constantly updating this blog can be a chore. Anyway, I have big plans for 2014 and I would like to break down some of the thoughts I have. So, here it goes (note: this is not listed in any particular order, although some goals will be emphasized on more than others).

Mixed Media: While my mixed media work has been somewhat active from time to time, these projects have unfortunately been delayed due to my emphasis on photography and ceramics. Starting this coming year, the mixed media work will be my first and main priority, although that doesn't mean ceramics and photography will go away.

Photography: As far as I know, I have no plans on the horizon to get back into film. Maybe someday, but for right now, I got plenty of digital images from the studio lighting course I took and other pictures I took throughout the year that I would like to do some work with. I also have plenty of film prints that I felt were unacceptable as film prints but might be better as digital pieces. Since working on digital photos is something that can be done anywhere at anytime as long as I have my laptop, I'll probably be working on digital photography work throughout the entire year.

Ceramics/Sculpture: For the first time since 2007, I plan on taking another sculpture course. I actually hope to use this class to work on my mixed media pieces since that work would go well with sculpture. I plan to work on some original sculpture pieces as well. As for ceramics, I may do more ceramic work, but it won't be as much as what I did this past year. It'll most likely deal with the half finished work from earlier this year that'll end up being more mixed media-based.

Shows: Wether it'll be at the college or someplace else, I would like to continue to have shows. The shows are still my main sure of exposure and it's a good event to sell stuff. I would like to have at least two major shows in 2014 if not more.

Buttons and Ceramic Pieces for Sale: I will be the first to admit that the marketing for the stuff that I sell has been terrible and almost nonexistent. It's not that I don't know how to market this stuff. It's more like I don't have the time. Well, as of right now I see an open window of a few weeks coming up. Over the next few weeks, I would like to work on marketing. Although, even if I had everyone of my buttons and sellable ceramic pieces posted on Ebay and Etsy, this stuff usually sells at my shows and that's unlikely to change anytime soon.

Blogs and Other Media Outlets: In 2014 I would like to be more responsive with this blog than I was throughout 2013. I would also like to continue to keep my Deviant Art page updated as well. Beyond that, I think it is time for me to start getting into vlogs. While this blog serves as a nice way for people to keep up with what I'm doing, assuming that I keep this place updated, I feel that a change is needed. I've come to understand that people nowadays don't like reading. They do however respond to visual and audio media. I want to format my blog in such a way where this blog will be reserved for pictures that don't need a lot of explaining. The vlog, which will most likely be posted to my Youtube account will serve as a means of explaining myself in a way that doesn't require long lines of text. I hope to start this new format soon.

Oh, I almost forgot. I think this blog needs a visual update. I would like to work on that soon.

Website: I've wanted to do a website for years. The problem is my knowledge with HTML is minimal at best and because I'm busy all the time and I don't plan on having web design as my main field of work, I never took the time that was needed to learn enough HTML to make a functional site. I know what kind of site I want. I can even do the design work on my own. I just need to find somebody who can help me with the HTML coding. I would like to finally start on this sometime in 2014. I've been doing this whole art thing for 10 years now with no website and I think it's about time that I get one.

Additional Projects: Over the past 10 years, I have learned a lot. I feel that if the first 10 years have been a learning period, then the next 10 years should be a time where I put all this knowledge to use. This year, I hope to finally start projects that'll someday result in a real source of income and allow me to be invested in my artwork 100%. Since this particular topic warrants it's own blog (or vlog), I would rather not go into to much detail right now.

So, this is 2014 in a nutshell. Hopefully, it turns out to be a productive and successful year.