Catch Up - And Plans for the Future

I have been reminded today how little I update my blog. Seems that lectures, writings (theory class), paintings, drawings and prints, oh! and gallery visits, leave little time for eating and sleeping, etc.  As the semester at UBC finished on December 5, I have had some time for housekeeping - literally - and striking some 'must do's' off my list.

For starters, I have updated my website (www.jannakumi.com) with some new work, and more to come.  Also entered two drawings in the FASO December competition (http://faso.com/boldbrush/painting/78229). Those were completed for the drawing class this semester.  This August I was accepted into the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) and I have entered two works, a coloured pencil on paper and an acrylic on canvas, which will be shown at the Federation's Granville Island Gallery from January 7 - 18th.  I will enter two more drawings into the FCA juried 'Works on Paper' which will run the last two weeks in January. In case you want to look me up, I am now also on Saatchi Art on line (http://www.saatchiart.com/jannakumi). Finally, I recently sold two drawings in the North Shore Artist's Guild Annual Fine Art Sale last week, so that was nice.

Plans for the upcoming months and into the future two years are to, first, graduate in April with that BFA I started in 2009.  Since retiring two years ago, I've really packed those credits on and now have the required number to graduate.  Might even attend the ceremony, cap and gown included.  Second, to establish my art practice in earnest by entering as many FCA shows and FASO competitions as possible.  I find that a heavy schedule of shows is a great motivator to produce. And that last one is third on my list: Produce a body of work that is either good enough for a solo gallery show or that I can pick and choose from for group shows. Oh! and fourth, post on this blog more.

Beside working in my studio, I've been thinking of what's next academically.  I've found university so stimulating, that the thought of going 'cold turkey' gives me the shivers.  So, I am seriously thinking of taking a postgraduate degree in Art History, one course per semester, and that should leave plenty of time to paint, draw, walk the dogs, and enjoy life.  That's what it is all about, right?

In case I don't get to this blog by Christmas and New Year's - have a joyful time with family and friends. Best wishes for the New Year everyone.