2007, the plan
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
Wonderful 2007 plan. I hope you don't mind that I have borrowed from your last year's list and idea of a sketchbook a month. Please do post your friends site for sketchbooks when you get it. Also please come and check out my site. I found you from Marly Youman's site.
Posted by: Donna | December 31, 2006 at 09:02 PM
you know I love to draw people more then anything so I am so tickled with your new project of drawing faces, what a treat this is going to be!
the narcissus are gorgeous!
happy new year to you!
Posted by: Cin | December 31, 2006 at 11:47 PM
The blues in the narcisus sketch are exquisite. As to your art plan, I love the idea of the series of faces all mounted together on the wall and your investigation of new world/old world images sounds very interesting. I think less frequent posting makes a lot of sense when trying to work on larger pieces in oils and acrylics. I hope you'll write about what you're experiencing as you explore these new realms.
Posted by: Jana Bouc | January 01, 2007 at 03:35 AM
I love the purple cabbage! Sigh, I feel like a real slob having read your goals but I will enjoy seeing you accomplish them! As Detlef said, your tenacity is just as amazing!
Posted by: Felicity | January 01, 2007 at 07:11 AM
The cabbage and narcissus are breathtaking, and the plan is inspiring. I especially look forward to seeing the portraits.
Posted by: Nancy | January 01, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Oh Laura - see how you've got some of us all fired up enough to want to hand in our notice and say an artist's life for me! Your plan is a such a lovely new years gift - thank you.
E
Posted by: Elaine | January 01, 2007 at 08:50 AM
All these are great of course....but I DO Love the first two watercolors...they are lovely....
Posted by: Margaret Hunt | January 01, 2007 at 09:20 AM
What a kick-a** plan! I am so excited for you. Your extension into collaboration-work and into deeper media (oils etc.) will produce unforeseen gifts. That tiny snippet of Ippy's work just took my breath away -- I've always loved good botanical illustration, and can't wait to see what will transpire.
And of course the cabbage (happy good-luck for a Southern New Year!) -- ah, the cabbage. It gave me chill-bumps it was so nice.
Posted by: Lori Witzel | January 01, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Like the ruffly-rich cabbage, the absent-white narcissus reined in with tie and glass, the chilly rally. But like everyone else I am wondering--am I too slipshod, disorganized, fuzzy-minded and wandering? Should I make architecture for my year, instead of tossing up what feels right at the moment, two or three projects at once? The plan looks complex and interesting, suited to the Laura-mind.
Posted by: marly | January 01, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Happy New Year Laura! I look forward to another year of seeing your wonderful paintings!
Posted by: Renate | January 01, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Oh my gosh, Laura, I've been wondering what plan you could possibly come up with that could be as good as last year's, and here you are with these big, dazzling, surprising ideas. You're starting this year from a position of strength. Ippy is a very interesting artist, and the two of you together will be dynamite. Happy drawing and painting to you in the New Year.
Posted by: Agnes | January 01, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Oh MY!!! That cabbage - perfection. Happy New Year to you and your family, Laura, and I hope you achieve everything you set out to in 2007.
Posted by: andrea | January 01, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Very impressive plan - and as your art posted today exemplifies, you're off to a fabulous start, dear heart! I can hardly wait to see what you do next. xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | January 01, 2007 at 12:25 PM
It's me again Laura, I do love the cabbage and am envious of your on the spot skecthing ability. The plan is for my sketches like that to become better. Thanks for visiting my site. I can't wait to see your new work.
Posted by: Donna | January 01, 2007 at 03:12 PM
OK
i know i'm sounding like a broken record
but i keep seeing silk scarves
and that cabbage may be my favorite one yet!
Posted by: zephyr | January 01, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Your plan is certainly ambitious--sounds exciting. I'll enjoy watching you accomplish it all. The ornamental cabbage and the narcissus are beautiful--you're off to a great start on the new year! The washes in both of these are so rich and luscious--I love them!
Posted by: sue | January 01, 2007 at 04:09 PM
I too send my admiration for your goal setting and tenacity. Just the fact that you did 4 (gorgeous) sketches in one day impresses me!!
I look forward to seeing all your plans unfold.
happy new year indeed.
Jane
Posted by: Jane LaFazio | January 01, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Oh wow oh wow oh wow -- I can't wait! This looks like SUCH a different plan from last year -- how exciting! Every aspect of it sounds like fun! The cabbages and narcissusses (?;-D ) and crowd of people just ROCK in the most Laurelines-ish kind of ways.
Posted by: Linda M | January 01, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Happy New Year Laura!! I have no doubt that you will achieve wonderous things in 2007. Your plan sounds terrific. Love the idea of the faces. Can't wait to see that progress. But glad too that there will still be sketches from your homelife and surroundings. :o) All the very best for the months ahead my friend. Hugs. x
Posted by: Terri | January 01, 2007 at 09:20 PM