I’m not too inclined to make new year resolutions; I try not to get too caught up on that ‘new year, new me’ mindset. For me, using a new calendar as an excuse to work harder only brings unnecessary pressure that may take away our joy for doing things. But, I see how attempting a fresh start every so often can be motivational to take action and get better.
With 2018 behind me, I feel I’m entering a new stage in my creative journey. I now need to create work for myself and not so much for others to like or even accept it. To think that you know it all as well as seeking approval are both very dangerous, so one goal in which I plan to prevail starting with this new year is to learn more and care less.
Nowadays, committing to a creative endeavor in the midst of so much distraction is very tricky. Restraint and having the willingness to work aren’t enough anymore, so adding some basic structure to how I manage my time is also something on which I will continue to work.
What follows is a list of things I’d like to achieve in 2019.
Paint more and be fearless:
I slacked a lot with my paintings in the past few years; perhaps more than I’d care to admit. I blame my insecurities and inability to stand for myself; but as I’m getting older, I’m starting to realize that other people’s opinion about how I paint, or what subject matter I choose shouldn’t stand in the way of my creative vision. So, who cares if I like to paint from imagination and have poor edge control in my brushwork?
Photograph better, forget the gear:
Photography is a creative outlet that came back to me in full force at a moment in my life when I was feeling very stale and manipulated by others. So setting up photo shoots, arranging still lives, venturing in the street with a camera have all been very challenging as well as liberating. But, one thing I dislike about photography is being subjective to having a materialistic approach to creativity, so in 2019 I plan to photograph more with my brain and with what I’ve got.
Ignorance is not justifiable:
Never in history did creative individuals had so many resources at their disposal as we do today, Taking time to read, analyze and discover other people’s creations is just as important. Also, learning a craft is not only a matter of having tactile experiences, for that reason, I’m committed to making an effort to read more about art, research contemporary artists and even visit museums more often. By doing that, I will be enriching my creative vision and eventually create work with substance.
All pictures on this post were taken at sunrise on January 1, 2019.