2022... Some starting points for my year ahead

Hello, and, if you are reading this in real time, Happy New Year! We are just over a week into 2022 and I've been mulling over 2021 and thinking about this year ahead. 

As we all know a little to well, things change, all the time and so I full accept, and even anticipate that my plans this year may change!

First of all, New Year's resolutions. I know many people hate them, but I love a resolution. After all, that's how Alice Draws the Line came to be - deciding to do a drawing a day for a year, back in 2008 initially, and then in 2013 and I've continued since. 

It won't surprise you to learn that I have decided to carry on with my daily drawing habit. I like it best when I draw from life, and I also like it if I draw earlier in the day, take longer over it and use more than just  pen - but any of those all count, doing something each day is the important bit to me.

Along with the drawing a day, I am trying to make sure I walk for at least 10 minutes a day - usually I do, but there were a few too many days last year that I didn't do even that and I missed it. So, setting the bar low at 10 minutes hopefully means I just get on and get outside.

The other thing I am trying to do daily is 10 minutes of reading- another thing that I love, but if I'm not careful days and then weeks and then months can go by and I haven't read anything! This started well but then I finished my book and haven't yet started the next one - so I'll do that when I finish writing this!

I've decided to start the year with three main foci/ areas that I am going to think a lot about and put energy into.

1. My daily drawing and lettering

2. Illustrated bouquets

3. Taking a course in children's Picture Book Illustration

I've also been thinking about having a word of the year, to help keep me focussed, and the word I've chosen is explore. I'm keen to explore where I can take my daily drawings (course for others?) and lettering (lettering for...?!). To explore where I can take my illustrated bouquets - at present I've just being doing them via word of mouth. Explore in relation to the picture book course seems to fit perfectly - why not explore this! I started an idea for a picture book back in 2006 and it's sat on a shelf since! I also illustrated an idea for a book that my sister had and I think it might be time to return to that too!

Explore works for walking and reading too which is pleasing!