I am going to allow myself a few weeks to move into the New Year.  I hope that by giving myself this extra time I won’t create any added pressure!

My husband, Phil Garrett, Greenville SC King Snake Press, has been gently chiding me for not actually taking the time to appreciate how much I do and how much I get accomplished……then I read  the current post from  Alyson B. Stanfield, who writes the Art Biz Blog.  Her newest post is about her  Accomplishments in 2008.  It is very inspirational, and I immediately put pen to paper.

I always have  a crazy busy schedule, but  2008 has topped all previous years.  As I was speeding forward to 2009, I left 2008 in the dust.  Well, I think it is time to pick it up, clean it off, and remember what I accomplished in 2008.  I am not going to be as detailed and comprehensive as Alyson, only so that I can actually get this posted.! (I do think it is important to do the detail and I will, but at a later date)Creative types generally juggle so many activities at once, that we don’t stop to truly appreciate how inventive we are in the ways we organize and manage our lives!

Now on to my list of accomplishments in 2008!

The BOOK, Rethinking Acrylic,  was finally published. (two years of work)

My new Website, and Blog are up!

I managed  enough studio time to make some “killer” new work. (Yes, the title, has something to do with how I felt about this year: BONKERS, but it was a good BONKERS!!)   I delivered the work to my solo show at Francis Merion University this week.

Developed “trainings” for GOLDEN’s new products (OPEN and the Digital Grounds) and trained some thirty GOLDEN Working Artists with hands on workshops.

I attended, worked in the booth,  and helped plan eight major Tradeshows in,  Reno, NV,  Anaheim, CA,  Raleigh , NC, Chicago, Il, Dallas, TX, Pasadena, CA and Savannah, GA.

I taught twelve workshops.  The highlight was the week-long workshop at La Conner Art  Workshops in beautiful Sagkit Valley, north of Seattle Washington. My long time friend, Robyn Williams manages multiple artists and teachers with hospitality plus!

I did several presentations for sales staff (non painters) reaching about 80 professionals in all.

Attended a “working/planning” retreat with Marketing Department.  Highly successful!

Attended Swananona  Gathering , (a music camp) for Guitar Week, with family and friends  This was a joyous carefree week of singin’ and pickin.”

Performed with the Fine Art Ramblers, a seven member string band , all professional visual artists. This year we had seven public gigs and a fundraiser for the Reedy River!

Celebrated three canine birthdays and one feline and a  ninth wedding anniversary .

Gave six college lectures, and one workshop for Advanced Placement “budding” artists. RISDI with Mark Golden, Savannah College of Art, Davidson College, NC, UNC, Charlotte, NC.

Wrote an article for Just Paint , Golden’s free “chock full of info” newsletter.  (my first for this publication!)

Jumped into FACEBOOK.

Collaborated with two other wonderful female artists to create a support group around our creative output.

Was invited into the Southern Artistry.  Artists are nominated based on the quality of their work by state art agencies.

My husband and I built a deck for the back of my studio over Labor Day Weekend!

Wow, what a great year!  Your turn!

Patti

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