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:
I'm really late cheering for your plan, Laura. It's awesome and ambitious and adventurous. And I'm delighted to see you have Paris too!
Posted by: Robyn | January 06, 2007 at 08:03 AM
I so look forward to your 101 faces, something I think you have incredible mastery over. Also, I am curious to see what you and Ippy create, with her pointalizm and your watercolor or will it be acrylic style? The purple cabbage tugs at my heart strings, I planted some purple and white cabbbage in the gardens out back this past fall.
Posted by: Maggie | January 04, 2007 at 09:51 PM
A belated thank you for all of your happy comments! I know that this type of planning doesn't work for everyone, but it helps me stay on track. Being self-employed has its pitfalls and dilatoriness is one of them. I'm super aware of the finiteness of life and I want to take advantage, as best I can, of each day. It'll take me a while to get used to this new set of projects, of course. And, as with last year, there'll be modifications made in the plan as needed. Thank you again for so much encouragement!
Posted by: Laura | January 04, 2007 at 10:31 AM
happy birthday laura!! :) wishing you all the best in the new year!
hugs, xo jenny
Posted by: jenny vorwaller | January 03, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Your plan sounds wonderful again. I hope it will all work out for you. I thought your last plan challenging, but this is much more so.
Your work and planning are really inspirational, and I used your old plan as a starting point to formulate my own goals for this year. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Posted by: paulien | January 03, 2007 at 04:08 AM
That cabbage! An explosion of laurelines energy!
Posted by: Sparky | January 02, 2007 at 07:29 AM