23 in 23 is a list of things I want to achieve in my art business throughout 2023.  

I’m a firm believer that growth, balance and expansion can’t be left to chance, because when it is we become susceptible to retreating back to our default habits and comfort zones.  

Setting achievable goals gives us the accountability to get where we want.

So before we get into it, here’s a few prompts to get started:

1.    Do a brain vomit list – throw out all the tasks you’d like to complete by years end onto a big sheet of paper

2.    Decide what you can say no to, delegate, postpone, let go of or batch to give yourself some white space.

3.    Ask yourself, ‘What needs to happen to make 2023 feel like a success?’

 here’s my 23 during 23 list:

1.    exhibition of ceramic sculpture

2019 was the last year I created anything substantial for public display with a Solo Show ‘Balancing Act.’ Due to personal events in 2020-22, I’ve had to take a step back from ambitious bodies of work, and it’s about time I correct that. As such, I’ve pencilled in a date for November 2023.

2.    create a sea painting for our apartment

My husband and I bought an apartment by the sea as a place of respite when we moved up to the family home to take care of my father. This place of sanctuary needs some calming paintings on its walls.

3.    planning and reviews

I am a advocate for reviews but have fallen off the wagon. This year I will regain this practice.

4.    launch 3d portrait service 

To expand my Oil and Watercolour Portrait Collections, I will be expanding this service into 3D ceramic Sculptures this year. An exciting progression that I can’t wait to explore.

5.    Improve studio lighting

I absolutely love my space of work, but it only has one light making it much more challenging to see details than necessary. I will invest in extra lighting this year.

6.    take 6 x day/weekend courses 

I pulled back my teaching over the past few years and have taken the leap to give up my regular 2hr term time classes, but I miss working with people and so I want to continue through short in-depth bursts spread across the year.

7.    create an in-person teaching page

Adding onto number 6 - Add an in-person teaching page/brochure of weekend/day courses available.

8.    reclaim all clay

Bags and bags and bags of hardened clay that needs reclaimed. Finally want to get around to it this year.

9.     24 new blogs

Usually, I aim for 12 x posts per year. I want to double that this year.

10.    socials

I’ve been deliberately quiet on Social Media and want to fix that this year with a minimum of 2 x posts on Instagram and getting back to being on top of Pinterest as it is by far my biggest driver to my website.

11.    1 x online course

This is something I have planned for literally years…I will have one ready for August.

12.    2 x new digital products

My Demystify 52 Colours e-book drives passive income every month. I will add two new books this year, one on colour and one on ceramics.

13.    buy a new piece of equipment for studio

I have my eye on a few pieces and want to tick one off the list this year.

14.    Get my yoga back

This may not be directly related to my art but stretching helps keep an injury in my arm at bay. I’ve not made the time for it and that has to change.

15.    expand flower product

I adore my porcelain roses and will launch extra colours, vases and wall displays this year. They’re already in the works!

16.    small things challenge

I love this challenge, but this year I intend to try a different format.

17.     Soak in online training 

I’ve a few courses banked and ready to be consumed.

18.    12 new Mini Portraits

One mini-portrait per month is a great balance to my sculptural work and I love creating them.

19.   read 12x books

I am a slow reader but would like to improve this. This year, I’ll make sure to read one book per month. (See Artist Book Reviews)

20. Make Moulds

To speed up some of my scupltural animals and figures, I want to take moulds of the bases to make the process quicker.

21.build glaze library with self-made glazes

Glazing is still the weak point to my sculptural work. I began the work of testing Amaco Glazes last year but this year I want to start the very long journey of understanding mixing up my own glazes from raw materials.

22. Take part in a Summer and Winter Fair

Totally out of my comfort zone but I’d like to experiment to see if this form of sales could work for my business

23.    Yearly gift launched

One of my favourite ways to end the year is with a unique gift exclusively for a member on my mailing list to win. (Sign up here if you want to be in for a chance.)   It’s a small token of my gratitude, because without you I wouldn’t be able to make a full-time living creatively and I don’t take your support lightly. Thank you. x

Overall, the idea of tackling 23 during 23 is to have clear goals to work towards.  There are a lot of ambitious things on this list such as a new exhibition and 3 new digital products so I’m intrigued to see how many I will tick off when I return to this at years end. 

Now it’s your turn…What’s your 23 during 23? 

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