To be honest, I never think about the future very much. I hardly make plans, I just “go with the flow”. Not a very good tactic, I know. I never expected anything from my art. I started it to keep my mind busy and perhaps relief from all the negative stuff from the past. (As you can read here in a previous blog post)
But then about two years ago I got the question “would you like to exhibit your work here?” I felt so honoured people actually wanted to see my work that I didn’t hesitate for one second. In all my excitement I forgot the expenses it would involve. Without prints, no exhibition. Without frames, no beautiful presentation of the prints…. you get the picture. But my husband supported me and said “go for it, grab your chance, it’s perhaps a once in a lifetime”
So my first prints got made, a whole adventure in itself which I will blog on later and my first show was a fact. A permanent mark in my own little history, you know something to tell your grandchildren. 😉
That same year I found a little gallery near Bruges that was willing to exhibit my work and I sold my first fine art print. I can’t even describe how I felt. People didn’t only wanted to see my work, they also found it good enough and the images had enough emotion that they were willing to put it on their wall. I was flabbergasted, what an honour and truly humbling experience.
One thing lead to another and in 2018 I got accepted to 10 shows. 5 in the USA (a big achievement for a European), two shows in France, Paris and Arles (I mean the thought of being on show in Paris and Arles still gives me the shivers and goosebumps) and three shows in Belgium, one being a solo (little me, a solo? Still can’t believe it)
In 2018 I sold 15 pieces, yes I still have to pinch myself to believe it. I also made a little quirky book and sold a few.
So how can I set goals for 2019? I already achieved so much more than I ever could of dreamed off. I’ve already accomplished more than I ever thought would be possible. My depression is a thing from the past now. I’ve never been happier in my life and with my life as I am today. So what more do I want? Nothing really.
But the topic of this blog post is “where do you see yourself in a year?” So I’ll forced myself to make a little list.
My fine art
- To have the same amount of shows I had this year.
- Being represented by a gallery, although I have no clue how I could achieve this
- Make new work no matter what my health is like and don’t let pain problems get in the way.
- Do some commission work
The surreal Passé composé series
- Sell “The perfectly bizarre and fake Family Bell” in a bookstore.
- Make a new series around a new theme.
- Do some commission work “pop surreal style”.
Personal goals
Have the courage to have the treatment that might help with my chronic pains and however scary it will be trust the doctors to solves the back pain issues due to all sorts of stuff so I can finally devoted more of my time to making art instead of waiting for the pain to go away.
If you are interested in buying the little quirky book “The perfectly bizarre and fake Family Bell” you can see some the family without their stories they have to tell se the link below and order it on my Etsy shop or send $40 and your contact information to my PayPal
Sabrina-M Art 