In 2006, I had a single focus in my art life. Drawing was what I did, and although I started out using various mediums such as colored pencil, crayons, pen and ink, I settled halfway through on pencil and watercolor.
In 2007, I feel the call to go inward and deeper, but also to be more multifaceted. I‘ve got so much I want to do, so many different levels I want to work on!
Here are the various projects I’ll be pursuing:
A 101 Faces series:
I’ll make a series of 101 paintings/drawings of faces. The faces will have the same format--- about 7” x 10” on a support like masonite or 300lb watercolor paper mounted on board--- but I’ll be using different mediums. I’ll draw and paint from life, from photographs, from faces in the art of museums I visit, from memory. And I’ll install them as a narrative, from left to right, in rows, as lines on a page, on a blank wall--- in my house at first, but with an eye to a later public installation. I’m really excited about this project---it is very manageable, it will be ongoing through the entire year, and it will encourage me to be loose, experimental, playful. It will tell a story, but I have no idea yet what that story will be! And, best of all, it will provide structure without being restrictive. I can imagine that I will have one or two such series, with different focuses, each year from now on.
Two Women Drawing Together:
My beautiful friend Ippy Patterson and I are going to draw together for a year, on a collaborative project. I will say more about this later. I’m very excited about this and I think you will be, too.
A return to acrylic and/or oil painting:
This will require a completely different state of mind from the one that has been lately dominant in my life. This is the most introverted of my 2007 paths, especially at first, as I begin the process of going deep down and seeing what is there to be painted.
A travel sketchbook project: I’d like to make a sketchbook exploring the nexus between the old world/Europe and the new world/North America. I haven’t quite worked out the details of this one yet or the places I’ll be going, but I will within the next few weeks. Watch the blog for it!
Two art-related trips to France: details to be revealed!
My homely, local sketchbook:
How I’ve enjoyed, in 2006, making drawings of my town, my home, my garden, my family, my pets, the surrounding countryside. I can’t stop now! There’ll be weekly posts from this sketchbook.
And so, the plan for 2007. Unlike last year, when my project was under my control completely, some elements of the 2007 plan call for working with others and some depend on several external factors. Many of my ideas are more open-ended than last year’s, so the exact shape of what’s to come is unknown. Isn’t that exciting? I leap into 2007 with a sense of great possibility and the commitment to work really, really hard. Come along and let’s see what happens! And thank you from my very heart for all of your support and enthusiasm. Happy New Year!
Four sketches from yesterday:
A purple cabbage from my garden:
Early morning narcissus:
Two crowd scenes, drawn quickly and in increasing dark and chill:
This sounds like a great plan, impressive and with a lot of work to do, but I´m sure you´ll make it! I´m incredibly inspired by your 2006 AND your 2007 art plans, and I am working on something like an art plan for myself too, though with completely different contents, of course.
I love the faces idea, sounds like something that will give you the opportunity to just work on with an open mind and see where it all leads - I am sure it WILL tell it´s own story in the end.
Good luck with it all, and I will be one in the crowd hanging around on your blog all year to see how you do!
Happy new year!
Posted by: nina johansson | December 31, 2006 at 03:26 PM
The narcissus are so lovely they make my throat ache with unshed tears...
...and what a lovely plan for the year ahead. I love the idea of your faces project, and I find that I envy Ippy. What lovely work she does, and how wonderful your joint project sounds!
Posted by: Kate (Cathy) Johnson | December 31, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Wowee,this is so exciting I can hardly stand it! Such exciting plans for the year-so well-thought out and conceived.
That purple cabbage color is just awesome.
Come on 2007!!!!!
Posted by: TeriC | December 31, 2006 at 04:22 PM
Delurking to tell you how very much I have enjoyed your artwork in the past year and that I am looking forward to seeing all you have to offer in 2007. Wishing you all the best as you continue to hone your craft.
Posted by: Star | December 31, 2006 at 04:41 PM
WOW, Laura! Your sketch are breathtaking -- especially the flowering cabbage -- LOVE THAT ! And a FABULOUS job on the whites of the narcissus -- and always, the crowds! Your plans are ambitious but well within your grasp -- travel, people, home, collaborative projects --surprises for us all! I anxiously await each and every painting and sketch, Laura ... I'll be right here cheering for you! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Posted by: lin | December 31, 2006 at 07:21 PM
Man I've got to give up work and get a life to compete with this plan for world artistic domination ;). I'm suitably impressed with your tenacity (and skills) as well. While you no doubt derive truckloads of self fulfilment from the year's project, we are the lucky ones for we get to see output - so I've got 365 days of viewing pleasure ahead.
Posted by: Detlef | December 31, 2006 at 08:53 PM