Hello Friend,
The New Year is just days away and I have been thinking about something I read. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a book called “Big Magic” and it is about how to live a creative life with out fear. One of the many things she talks about is creating a contract with art. I found this so inspiring and I have been thinking a lot about what my contract with my art would be. The other thing that has been on my mind a lot is what word I will choose to focus on for 2016. I don’t like new years resolutions because by February they have all gone out the window, so this year I have chosen a word.
I am sure you are thinking what do these two thing have in common. My word for 2016 is courage. Courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one” There are so many things about art that scares me…that I won’t be good enough, that people will laugh at me, that I won’t be able to grow any further then I already have. I know these are silly ridiculous fears and I have decided to not let fear be in charge of my creativity this year. I will acknowledge it but then move past it. I am going to make a yearly contract with my art because because we are always growing that I feel it will need to change slightly year to year.
Here is my Contract with Creativity:
- I will create with joy…even when it is hard.
- I will not request that my art support me financially, but will be full of gratitude if someone wishes to purchase my art.
- I will not beat my self up when things do not go as planned.
- I will keep learning and trying new things.
- I will not let fear keep me from trying new things.
- During 2016 I will paint or draw a face every day.
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Do you have a word for 2016? How do you plan on honoring your creativity in the New Year?
P.S. You can win this piece of art by commenting below and then sharing my blog on Facebook. Check out my Facebook Page for more details on how to win.
Leanne Schuetz Art 
This is a beautiful blog, Leanne. You are a true inspiration!
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Thank you so much Jennifer! ❤
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Leanne, Congratulations ~
on making the leap 🙂 Your Blog looks awesome! So happy to have connected with you ❤ Good Luck in 2016 …365 girls! you go girl ;)( I'm probably dating myself)…lol
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Thank you so much Robin! I am so glad to have met you and to be on this art journey with you!
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I feel so fortunate to have discovered you through Artist Think. You have grown so much in the past few months. You inspire, Leanne! You are courageous…something artists need to be. Thank you for bringing more jou into the world with your art.
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Thank you Kim for your kind words, they mean so much to me. I am so thankful for you and that we get to do our journey together through Artist Think,
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I have loved getting to know you on FB. I’ve made some new friends who are all so supportive. I love it. I signed up for a bunch of online classes on Black Friday when they were all on sale and I am making myself do them. That’s a big deal because I have issues with following through things. I am making myself try new products and new techniques and new subjects. I don’t like beating myself up for not being ‘good enough’ so I’m going to try to learn to be kind to myself. My word is Believe; to believe in Gods miracles and to believe in myself. As old as I am I’m still learning so I am expecting new and wonderful things for this new year. I spent 4 years as my dads caregiver, then this last year I dealt with grief and loss, and a DIL in preterm labor who was hospitalized for 2 months and then a premie grandbaby who spent a year in NICU and that same week a wedding for my oldest son. I’m tired but excited for new beginnings. It’s my turn, I believe!
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April, I love your word Believe! I know you say you have a hard time following through on things but you had such a hard year that I think you need to give your self credit for just creating anything. I am so glad to have gotten the chance to get to know you and I hope that 2016 will be year of doing thing you love <3'
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Congratulations Leanne!! What an amazing blog and move in your artful relationship. I’m so pleased for you!!
My art promise is exactly the same as yours except for the last on the list as I have a high needs toddler and I don’t want to feel frustrated if I can’t art some days.
My word is grace, for myself and others.
I am so glad that we have become friends!
~ Christy Harris
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Thank you Christy! I love your word! Thanks for being here and I am so glad we have become friends!
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Your courage shines through in the openness that you share your work with all of us. Such progress is being made in your skill and you give us courage to show the ways we are creative as the Creator God designed us in His image. The safety and love you share with others gives glory to God. I love your word–this year my word is kind. Desiring to be one who acts, speaks and, with discipline, thinks through the filter of kindness. Happy 2016
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Kind is such a great word, and I think we can all choose to be more kind to others. Thank you for your encouragement. I hope that my work can bring honor and glory to God. Love you Aunt Patty 💗
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Congratulations on your new blog Leanne! Way to go 🙂 I love your contract with art. And I am also loving the book. The word I chose to focus in the year 2016 is “Awakening” I feel that I will be awakening more abilities and possibilities to grow mindfully in the next year. I want to be more intuitive when creating art and awaken my inner child. Looking forward to see what you will be creating for next year. You always inspire me. Happy New Year 2016!!
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Thanks Jenn, Glad to have you here!
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Leanne, your blog looks awesome!! I’m so glad to have gotten to know you through Artist Think. You are inspiring in your creative journey. I’m going to continue to watch you grow this next year. Courage is a good word for you, as I admire your courage and strength to grow, learn and experiment. You are passing this on to your daughter.
I’ve let my blog go the past 6 months, first due to my granddaughter going into heart failure and then having openheart surgery and recovering. She is awesome. Then I’ve been dealing with health issues and it was easy to let my blog and creativity slide.
Therefore, my word for 2016 is “recharge”. I need to recharge physically, mentally, and spiritually. I’m starting off with 2 major surgeries to replace two joint prostheses that have needed to be replaced foe the past 5 years. I’m also signed up for a couple of art classes that last all year (thankfully that are self-paced, as I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to do while recuperating). God has always been an imporrant part of my life and I need to always recharge my relationship with Him. So I’m “recharging” this year.
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Hi Lynnita,
Recharge is a wonderful word! You have been though so much in 2015. I feel so thankful to have gotten to know you and I hope that you will heal quickly for your surgeries. I will be praying for you. I am so excited to be on this journey with you! I can’t wait to see what this year brings you with all your classes! ❤️
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I also really like the idea of making a contract with art. This is inspiring! I will definitely start thinking of what my contract should be…
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Wonderful Mary! I am so glad this inspires you! I would be interested in knowing what you put in your contract. ❤
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Looks like I’m the first commenter in the New Year (thems the perks of having an 8 year old who wakes up WAY too early!)
Here is my art contract for 2016:
1–I will follow both my online courses all year, with consistency AND flexibility (if I miss a lesson or lose interest periodically, especially when my kids are home on school vacations, I won’t just give up but rather allow myself the break and then get back to it).
2–I will fully develop the concept/two related series I have in mind (Tailends and Devastating-Self-Interest). The work I do in the online courses will be in service of my own concept (rather than pulling me off track!).
3–I will use mixed-media (acrylics-based) techniques/processes that appeal to me for class assignments and for concept sketches, but I will continue to do my large works in oil paint (I will not be lured by the fast-drying time/fun mediums of acrylic!)
4–I will spend my time home alone when the boys are at school working in my studio. During this time I will not do Facebook, watch videos, go on Twitter/Instagram/Twitter, watch the news, read books, or do houswork/chores. No grocery shopping during this time! I also will not go to art stores during this time because I “need” something. The only exceptions to sacred studio time will be exercising (efficiently!) and taking a day off now and then to go to museums/galleries (or if I am sick or have an appointment).
5–I will be friendly but firm with the negative-self-talk (fear, doubt, yada yada yada) as it does it’s job of trying to completely derail all of this. If I start slipping, I will immediately start rereading Big Magic (but NOT during studio time!!!)
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Mary,
I love this!!! I especially like number 5. I love how you are going to be friendly but firm with the negative self talk. So many people try to fight the bad self talk but I love how you are willing to acknowledge it but not allow it to run the show! I am so excited for you!!
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I love that courage is your word for the year. Having courage and being brave in this world today is difficult and trying, to say the least. One of my favorite bloggers is Momastery by Glennon, and in her words, “we can do hard things, carry on warrior!!” Have a fabulous 2016!!!
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Thank you Sara! And thank you for coming along with me on this journey! Xoxo
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You have inspired me to pick up a pencil and draw! Your courage has pushed me to try things and post on my FB page (even though they aren’t very good), we all have to start somewhere right?! I can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for us all
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Shelia, I am so excited for you! I always say practice makes progress. Try not to worry about the outcome and just have some fun! If there is anything I can do to help let me know!
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