"Winter Sanctuary", Amy Evans, oil

I have been challenged to think about what was the best thing I did for my art career in 2009. I have accomplished a lot this year. I had a piece accepted in the American Impressionist Society national juried show, I had two pieces accepted in the Women Artists of the West Show, a piece accepted in the Plein Air Artists of Colorado show, was invited to participate in Nomadas del Artes again,  and I was juried into 3 plein air events. I  have two new galleries representing my work.

Those are all fantastic achievements, but the best thing I have done this year was to accept Lori Woodward's challenge to paint 20 hrs per week. I was surprised to discover that I often surpassed those hours. It made me focus on painting and it also gave me new subject matter as well as formats to explore. I believe that I am producing stronger work because of this challenge.

What will 2010 bring? My word of the year is "Change". Stay tuned.