Slide Rock, Sedona Arizona
Photo by Carol Reynolds
This reference photo I took a while back at Slide Rock in Sedona, Arizona, is what I am currently working on right now as a 6" x 8" oil study for a larger painting in the future. I took a break for lunch and while eating I got on the internet and read an excellent post by Carolyn Henderson on the subject of New Years Resolutions.... go here to read it.
What has been on my mind lately is definite goal setting where my art is concerned, as well as my spiritual growth as a Christian. Since this is an art blog, I will concentrate right now on artistic goals. First of all, I want to strive to be the best artist I can be, which has always been my goal since I was a teenager. That will require many hours of painting and more painting. "If you know what to do to reach your goal, it's not a big enough goal", so says Bob Proctor. So I do have more definite goals than just painting and more painting. My main objective in 2013 is to aim high, think big, and paint big. When I first started this blog, I intended it to be mainly for my miniature paintings. I was thinking small, believing the downturn in the economy would only allow for primarily sales of miniatures. Sigh ! Lo and behold, many artists are doing quite well with sales of their larger works; that is a new goal of mine, to paint more larger pieces, which I would rather do anyway. I am becoming more clear and focused where my goals are concerned and, as Brian Tracy says: "Goals that are not written down and developed into plans are like bullets without powder in their cartridge. People with unwritten goals go through life shooting blanks."
That brings to mind another quote: Artie Shaw once said, "Shoot for the moon - if you miss you'll end up in the stars." I am keeping my specific goals secret for now, but I am aiming higher than ever before. Also, John C. Maxwell said, "Don't ever be impressed with goal setting; be impressed with goal getting." Watch this blog to see what goals I reach in 2013.
By the way, the quotes in this post I borrowed from Robert Genn's "The Painters' Keys" --check here to read more of them under the heading "Art Quotes".
Bandelier National Park, New Mexico
photo by Carol Reynolds
I am also working on a 8" x 16" oil painting based on this photo of mine. Check back soon to view the completed painting.
In conclusion, I would like to close with this quote by Dr. Benjamin Mays: "It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach."
Have a wonderful new year everyone and thank you for your support and interest in my work!
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