Do you believe in making resolutions as we leave one year and enter another? For a long time, starting in my adolescence and into adulthood, I thought making resolutions was necessary if I wanted to be successful. But, a few years ago I started a practice that changed my thinking around the ways we truly are able to look forward, learn, achieve, evolve, and become the best versions of ourselves. I enter the year with a single word that becomes my guiding light for all I hope to do, how I want to grow, and how I work to accomplish and crush my goals.
I pick a new word every year and I usually take a really long time to think about it before I land on what the word will be. In recent years especially this intentional practice has become vital for me. A few years ago my word was “patience” (a doozy of a choice because if you know me in real life you know this isn’t my greatest virtue) and I learned that I will always be up for a challenge and that sometimes tigers can actually change their stripes. Another year, my word was “gratitude”. Then there was evolution”. Then it was simply “healthy” and I became completely focused on my whole self - my mental, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical well-being and how it affects every area of my life from my family and relationships to my work..
In 2023 my chosen word was “nourish” because after a few years of looking inward and feeding my mind with a gratitude practice and my body with exercise and a healthier diet (plus a side of sarcasm and good humor for balance) I wanted to think about the ways that I could nourish other corners of my life - both personal and in business. How could I take all the lessons I learned from practicing patience and gratitude, growing and evolving through those lessons and getting to a healthy place, and use them to nourish and feed my life and work? That was the focus of 2023. The year was not necessarily an easy one but as there were many valleys there were also many peaks and high moments. I worked really hard and had some misses and some wins and I learned something from every experience.
My proudest professional moments this year by far have been my first digital art work and my first time showing at Frieze in Los Angeles, my life altering summer residency in northern Italy and, most recently, my first group show in Chelsea with Visionary Projects at the High Line Nine Galleries at 507 West 27th Street which you can see until December 31st.
In addition to these incredible experiences, I feel so lucky to have celebrated one year as a member of the National Association of Women Artists and to have my work awarded and recognized by jurors in the 134th Annual Members Exhibit in Tribeca last Spring. I am also beyond grateful for my continued partnership with Reservoir in my beloved Hudson Valley as well as my ongoing relationship with both Kefi Gallery based in Toronto and Chairish. Finally, I’m very proud that in 2023 I conceptualized and completed over 50 paintings and drawings.
I owe so much to my collectors around the world and to all the curators, gallerists, designers and more who support and believe in my work, not to mention my amazing family and circle of friends who inspire every aspect of my life and art practice. The world is experiencing darkness and I’m always searching for the small glimmers of light and hoping to add a little brightness, love and hope in any way I can.
I still haven’t decided what my 2024 word will be so you’ll have to check back in the new year to learn it. Maybe you’ll adopt this practice, too? Try it and tell me what you think.
All photos in this post by Living Notes Photography.