Sunday, January 12, 2014

resolutions



I'm not a fan of making resolutions, because somewhere as early as March I usually abandon them, letting the associated guilt consume me. I don't like feeling guilty. This year however, I'm going to give making resolutions a try, and hopefully achievable, by keeping things relatively simple:
  • More art. I have been neglecting my artwork for far too long, and this has been making me feel bad. You would not believe how many pieces are lying about my apartment in various states of incompletion. 
  • More sketching. I used to consider myself a 'compulsive sketcher' (this is claimed in my profile), but have barely produced anything of note in the past two years.
  • Revamp my website. I honestly cannot remember the last time I added anything new to it— this is naturally tied to the previous two resolutions.
  • More gym. Bodies do strange things in their thirties.
  • More reading. A resolution which never works, but at this point, even reading two books this year would put me ahead of previous years. I find this sad, as I used to be an avid reader. Can I blame this on the internet?
  • Improve my Portuguese. This cannot be difficult as I can barely complete a sentence— anything would be an improvement! I would really love to be able to hold a complete conversation with Pedro's parents. 
  • More blogging. 
  • More owls. I really, really want to learn more about owls.


So here's a start at least at tackling the first resolution: I've put several hours of 2014 into finishing my ink portrait of the Nepali man which I abandoned at some point last year. His moustache is now complete, and his nose is almost there. The problem with pointillism is that you work for hours and hours and see little progress, making it easy to get discouraged. Wish me luck!

I hope you all have a harika new year, and that 2014 is full of love, happiness and health. May you meet all of your resolutions!

5 comments:

Raye S. said...

Your drawing is turning out amazing! I can't wait to see the finished image. All the best on your goals for the year, I too hope to make more room for my art! While I don't make resolutions, it is never too late to start doing things you love and things to make you a better person : )
Thanks for the enjoyable blog reading and viewing. I have lurked for a year or two (found your blog through a friend.) and always love seeing your photos!

dinahmow said...

http://www.owlpages.com/ This might help with the owls.Portuguese? On your own there!

szaza said...

Thank you so much, Raye! I am really excited to complete this project— there are other portraits in the works which I hope to complete as well. It would be great to have a set of ten... though I have no idea how long that would take! I'm happy to hear you enjoy my blog :)

Thank you, Dinahmow! I spent a good while on the Owl Pages, then magically, as I was drifting off to sleep last night, two Little Owls (a female and a male) started calling to each other! How lucky am I?

Unknown said...

Owls, I'm working to finish a painting of one right now. Have to put up a whole show end of the month, my first actually. Not an easy task.
I also want to sketch more people. I have a nice couple of owl sketches burring in my blog. How they haunt me.
I can really relate to your goals, I have even first french class next week.
I also don't make resolutions, but I try to listen to myself, if I keep saying I need to do this or that; eventually I listen and do the task.

You have some swell tasks lined up. Keep at em! I appreciate your sharing your art here, as well.

Enjoy your year!

http://thesmellofsmoke.blogspot.com/2012/12/consider-birds.html

Unknown said...

Good luck with them all. Hope 2014 is a great year for you & Pedro