#artvsartist

TL;DR: 2024 was a “charging” year—a time to gather, prepare, and push forward.

Artworks in 2024

This year was full of creation, even if not everything was meant for the spotlight.

• Sketches: A mountain of pencil sketches spilled out onto the page, each one a spark of an idea, a whisper of something bigger.
• Paintings: I completed 12 paintings:
  • 3 personal works, deeply rooted in my own stories.
  • 9 client pieces that challenged and expanded my skills.
• Enamel Pins: Designed a new collection of pins—they’re waiting quietly to make their grand entrance.

Personal Tragedies

 

• Cookie’s Journey: In July, my little Pomeranian, Cookie, faced a hard battle. Dental surgery turned into a bigger ordeal, leaving her blind in one eye. Watching her adapt, still full of life, has been heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. Our dogs are graying now, and every cuddle feels heavier with meaning (ages 10, 11, and 12)

• A Family Scare: October brought a hospital visit for Tiff that shook us to the core. It was a jarring reminder of how fragile everything is and how fiercely I cherish the people I love.

Victories and Reflections

Letting Go to Focus on What Matters

• Simplifying Life: This year, I handed off chores I once clung to. A Shark vacuum and a lawn service gave me back precious time and energy—space I poured straight into creating.

Milestones That Mattered

• Selling Art in Person: 13 weekends spent at events, sharing my work with incredible people who made every long day worth it. Those connections will stay with me.
• Corporate Retreat: I met many of my remote coworkers at LitJoy face-to-face for the first time (and many for the second time), and the retreat turned out to be more fun and fulfilling than I’d expected.
• Novel Progress: Outlining my fantasy novel felt like unlocking a part of myself I didn’t know existed. The characters, the world—it’s all bubbling, waiting to spill onto canvas and paper.

• Art Business Growth: I bought a new car to keep my art business rolling (literally). It’s been my best year yet for sales, though it came with sacrifices. Some shows were brutal, but others were unforgettable.

Community and Connection

• 21-Day Challenge: Marc Scheff’s 21-day creation challenge with the Unleash Creativity Club pushed me to share sketches, breaking past my inner critic, allowing me to just play.
• Mentorship: my mentor Dougie Hoppes of Shadowmyths introduced me to a world of growth through Marc and the UC Club. This community—full of talented, driven artists—gave me accountability and the courage to silence the harshest voices in my head. They celebrated my wins and held space for my struggles. They are my people.

Rediscovering My Purpose

2024 felt like a year of preparation—like charging a large battery. Gathering knowledge. Stretching boundaries. Creating with more intention than ever before. I started to see what truly drives me, what scares me, and how to turn both into fuel. And somewhere in the midst of it all, I found joy again—the kind that comes from just playing.

 

Looking Ahead to 2025

I’m stepping into 2025 with a mix of bold goals and quiet hopes. These words will guide me:

• Wu Wei: Moving with the current instead of fighting it.
• Curiosity: Letting questions lead me to new discoveries.
• Resilience: Weathering the storms with grace.
• Service: Finding ways to give back.
• Intention: Creating with purpose, not just for the sake of it.
• Education: Always learning, always growing.
• Consistency: Small steps, every day.
• Self-Care: Because without it, nothing else is possible.

What I Want to Achieve in 2025

• Bring my fantasy novel to life—words and images both.
• Paint more personal pieces that feel like they’re truly mine.
• Crowdfund projects that excite me and (hopefully) others.
• Build healthier habits that sustain me.
• Create content that helps and inspires.
• Support other artists on their journeys.
• And, above all, thrive.

Thanks for reading.

-Joseph