The Yearly Roundup

A look back at the exhibits and workshops of 2024 and the art of essentialism.

It's a strange start to a new year. Usually, in January, I'm fired up and ready to dive into new inspired projects. But I find myself this year feeling lukewarm about starting anything new. I am not inclined to get involved in new projects or start new routines.

I'm focused on letting go of what's inessential.

I just finished reading the book Essentialism, by Greg McKeown. I highly recommend it for anyone who, like me, is curious by nature and tends to spread themselves too thin. The gist is that time is short, so don't waste it doing stuff that doesn't matter.

I'm also reminded of a quote I heard once (I cannot remember which artist said this):

"Eliminate the unnecessary and exaggerate the essential."

Or maybe I just made that up.

In any case, I share this just in case you may also need to consider streamlining and focusing your activities this year.

In going through this process of identifying what is essential, I went back and had a look at the major creative projects of the year. This is what I found:

February

WCACO Annual Member Show Body of Knowledge @ Niza Knoll Gallery​

Waxing Not Waning Waxing Not Waning mixed media workshop @ Art Gym​

ArtMa Fundraiser Auction for children's cancer research @ ArtMa​

March

Pressing Matters WCACO Exhibit @ Mint & Serif​

Denver MoPrint Alternative Printmaking @ Niza Knoll ​

May

Finding Peace Within Mental health awareness @ Finding Peace Within Project​

June

First Fridays First Fridays all summer long @ South Pearl ​

July

Awakening with Art Online Fine Art Print Shop. Sadly, this venture proved to be unsustainable, so we closed up shop. Hey, live and learn.

August

I Belong in a Museum @ Colorado Women's Art Museum​

Waxing Not Waning 2 Encaustic Wax + Mixed Media Workshop @Art Gym​

September

Gunnison Arts Center Gallery Boutique @ Gunnison Arts Center​

Decor Asian Gallery @ Decor Asian​

October

Listen to Create Mixed Media Workshop @ Prism Workspaces​

Open Studio Tour Annual Crestone Open Studio Tour @ Crestone Artists​

November

Fancy That! Online Exhibit with a fabulous group of artists @ Artburst Studios​

Art @ Stella's Pop Up Exhibit @ Stella's Coffee Haus​

December

Interview Artist Interview @ Canvas Rebel​

End of Year Journaling 5 Day End of Year Journaling Program @ Patreon​

It's eye-opening to go back and look at all that happened. I found it encouraging to remember the highlights, and informative to review the "failures." But I don't really use that word - each "failure" is simply a lesson learned. Without those lessons, it's impossible to become a true Essentialist.

I recommend going through your year and discovering where you've grown, and what you've accomplished. It's so easy to forget what we've learned, and how we've grown. Even when we think no progress has occurred, looking to where we were a year ago can show us how we've changed.

Wisdom for the Ages

I've been remembering this quote recently from Shantideva, a saint from the Buddhist tradition who lived a long time ago:

Coming Up in 2025

Gratitude Colorado group exhibit @ Auric Gallery Colorado Springs ​February 7-28, 2025

Reflect Another online Exhibit with a fabulous group of artists @ Artburst Studios​ June 19-21, 2025

Speaking of gratitude, I'm so grateful for your support and encouragement and for reading this far on my long newsletter!

May your year be filled with wisdom, inspiration and peace.

With love,

Kim

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