The Creative Instinct

So 2009 is almost upon us and I guess you’ve already started thinking abut the new artistic successes you’d like to achieve.

Stop.

Whether you want to improve on a poor year or build on a great one, you need to review. As the saying goes – knowledge is power. Investing just half an hour of today on an artistic review of the last year can have a profound impact on your artistic achievements for 2009.

Now that has to be a worthwhile trade-off.

6 Step Artistic Review of 2008

Okay, so you could simply think about how the last year went for you and your art – and that will be a good start. But ask yourself these 6 specific questions to really gain some artistic clarity.

1. What part of my artistic practice did I enjoy most?
2. What did I find hard to do/maintain?
3. What/who were the barriers to doing more with my art?
4. Were those barriers real or did I play a part in making them?
5. What vital ingredients were missing that would have boosted my artistic success?
6. When was my most productive artistic period(s) of the year? What were the factors that made the difference?

There you go. Sit yourself down, either on your own or with a friend, and review your 2008. Then, when you turn your thoughts forward to 2009 you’ll have a foundation of knowledge and power to build your dreams for the New Year.

Now, as I haven’t actually conducted my own review just yet, guess what I’ll be doing with my next half hour. I’m not just saying that, by the way. I’ve already organised a joint review with myself, Lynda and my mum doing a round robin of our artistic years.

I wish a happy and successful New Year for you and your art.