I’ve noticed some artists on social media are sharing their work and accomplishments of 2024. I was reading these posts thinking, “Oh no, they’ve done so much this year and I haven’t achieved anything. Why am I so lazy?”
I decided to try and write it down. Here is my retrospective of 2024.
I exhibited at the Higgins at the Edward Bawden and The Circus of Illustration show. I made a speech on the opening night. Together with the Circus of Illustration we’ve hosted 11 drink and draw events, a ‘Props’ life drawing event and we exhibited our ‘Drawing Bedford Together’ project at POP Bedford.
I sold artwork at 3 makers markets.
I hosted art workshops at The Higgins, The Bedford River Festival and at The Panacea Museum.
I created an A0 size illustrated visitor’s map for the Friends at Foster Hill Road Cemetery, some artist’s impressions of their new visitor’s centre and a pop up banner.
I binned Etsy and started a new online shop.
I made 5 new reduction prints in 2024. (I must make more in 2025).
At my day job as an illustrator for Doodle Press (the work that actually pays all of my bills). I worked on 10 books, 35 greeting cards (approximately), a football calendar, a cocktail menu for a posh bar in London, illustrations for a dance wear company, artwork for a pharmacy company, AND a nature display board at a Scottish wildlife reserve- Phew!
There was wedding in Wales, a road trip around Ireland, walks in The Peak District, a birthday in the Derbyshire Dales and bird watching Bedfordshire with Jack. Not to mention countless fun times with friends and family.
Writing down last year in review has been quite revealing. No wonder my house is always messy, I never seem to have any free time to clean it.
Reflecting on 2024
I believe I should create new work and approach galleries and enter competitions, rather than just sell in person at market. Shoppers at these makers fairs aren’t necessarily my target audience. I really would like more people to see my linocut art outside of my local area, so I’ll have to get more confident at driving! Writing these ambitions down will hopefully drive me towards these goals.
Do you have any aspirations for 2025? What are your plans for this year?
Folk Style Linocuts By MStraccia Art 