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Wednesday, July 01, 2009

The Next Professional Steps -

One of the most valuable pieces of advice that I came away from the IMC with last year was to determine the Next 5 Steps I was going to take to further my professional career. I chose more than five and then blogged them (you can read that post here. I didn't complete them all, but made tremendous headway. It totally changed the way I work).


This year -

1.) *Really* learn Photoshop. I bought a copy of CS3 (so much cheaper online than CS4, and I can still upgrade if I wish to), and have Real Plans to Implement!

2.) Upgrade little wacom graphire tablet. (Done! Just bought a medium Intuos4. Should be here tomorrow).

3.) Learn how to use my spiffy new printer from last year for actually making *prints*. I've used it to great effect all year to print out my sketches to paint on, but now I want to learn how to best utilize its color.

4.) Do more 'personal' work - in between or after this latest batch of commercial work. Right now, my sensibilities are leaning towards the cute-creepy, but pretty much anything that is geared at an age older than 7 would make me happy.

5.) Do follow-up mailings to the various people/professionals who requested more at the IMC (I have a nice list!)

6.) Keep online portfolio places updated.

7.) Keep up with the sketching from life as well as from imagination (outside of commercial work).

8.) Some time in the next 12 months, either take a class or do on my own, on Figure Sculpting! (Charles Vess talked about his sculpting project of the last 3 years and how much easier drawing got afterwards. I have wanted to do something 3 dimensionally like that for some time, so this seems most opportune!)

9.) Watch for the subjects/media/feeling/look that I feel the most *passionate* about, and then follow them!


Ok - that's plenty to keep me busy for the next calendar year I think...

9 comments:

Maddy said...

Sounds like much too lengthy a list for me but it is certainly encouraging to know that other people are struggling to keep on track.
Cheers

Sandi McBride said...

I admire people who can make such lists, then carry through with them...it takes tenacity and determination. You apparently have both.
Love the illustration!
Sandi

janeyolen@aol.com said...

Comparing last year's list with this, I see that you have expanded the
fine points and are concentrating less on STUFF, perhaps because you
bought the STUFF last year!

However, this peek into your direction and expansion of your art is fascinating.

Jane

Jess said...

That's a great list! I think the sculpting class sounds interesting. I remember from college days how we had a one-day class working just from the model's head using clay and it changed my whole way of looking from that day!

Hayden said...

whew! I'm exhausted just reading it! Good on you for charging ahead with energy!

Hayden said...

OK, I just re-read last years and am all inspired to make my own list. but I wander, so, from area to area, and don't have a focus point yet, so..... hummm.... shall try.

Anita HartCarroll said...

Inspiring list Tara! I love the illustration too. Wish you could do a series of books like that. I love your artwork.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Great set of goals.

I look forward to seeing more of your personal work in the coming year - most delightful!

Ruthie Redden said...

what a wonderful idea - i am off to have a go at listing my own, though i shall pich a few from your list as they apply - the figure sculpting sounds wonderful. there never seem enough hours in the day to try everything!!