Happy New Year! I’m here with a Monday video, yeah, kicking off the 2024 season a day early. But it’s January 1 so let’s get this show on the road!
I’ve got some simple resolutions this year, some that are a little more complex, but they’re all about making my life more FUN. I really don’t like resolutions that remind me, every time I have to do them or realize I forgot them, that I am a terrible person. Tell me not to eat junk food and I guarantee 20 times a day I’ll feel miserable!
So I’ve got some resolutions I’ll be trying this year. Including the one in the title about social media, coz dang, that makes me feel miserable, doesn’t it do that to all of us?
Breaking up… and more resolutions
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
1 Toasty toes
I accidentally left my slippers right next to the heat register. Usually they’re bedside when I tuck myself in but for some reason that didn’t happen. But when I got up the next morning my toesies were SO HAPPY. Now I’m excited to get out of bed in the morning….my toes are ready!
2 Celebrate more
I’m ready to make this a GOOD year, how about you? And celebrating the little things is one way I plan to make it an ongoing PARTAY! There are all kinds of sites that list what “day” it is, and I’ll be consulting them regularly. Including a flamingo bash at a girlfriend’s house when her birthday comes round.
3 Score points
Usually when I get a trolly comment or a testy email, or my website has issues—or even when I have issues and send out a newsletter with a typo (gah!) and hear from dozens of helpful people…..I just feel bad. It’s hard to just shake it off, but I’m now going to assign POINTS to every one of those things, and when I hit milestones in points I’ll be WINNING a shopping spree for art supplies. Then I’ll cheer for the negative when it heads my way!
4 More watercolor
During December, 2000 new people followed my YT channel – WOW! Plus I had a couple watercolor reels go viral on both my IG accounts, and each one gained over 8000 new followers!! While I can’t guaranteed that any of those lovely watercolorists are going to see any more of my posts, I’m going to be leaning into painting even more than usual.
One special thing I’ll be doing is a monthly realtime watercolor tutorial just for $10+ patrons. It’ll be a little like a subscription class if you think of it that way. Patrons have usually said they don’t have time for more video from me, but it’s very possible that the thousands of new people following me are not yet inundated and would love a little watercolor. So yay for that!
PSSST – Subscribe to my weekly newsletter!
5 More figure drawing
I realized recently that I’m not making the kind of progress I’d like to with my figure drawing. I’m definitely better than a few years ago, but realized it’s because I only draw people once a week, and then take sumemrs off. Uhm after all my lectures about getting busy with daily practice, what am I doing? So….I’ll be doing daily figure studies. Not much will get shared as they’re NSFW in some people’s eyes. But I’m gonna be diving in.
6 Social media breakup
It’s more of an overhaul I guess. But honestly I’m tired of algorithms blocking what they once shared. Artists all say they don’t get any traction when they’re trying to promote their fine art, their Etsy, their classes, or even tutorials. Social media only wants people to stay on the site. So I need to figure out how to get CREATIVE in keeping in touch with my peeps! Here are some new things I’m doing:
Join my IG broadcast channel that for now is called Creating something every day. There’s a big link on my IG page here …basically its one GIANT direct message out to those who follow that, and I can send a little message out twice a week when there’s a tutorial (with links!), and let you know if there’s a sale, class, etc.
Weekly email newsletter
I’ve revamped my weekly newsletter—it’s not your average “blog post” email! It includes subscriber specials, bonus tips, behind the scenes stuff, laughs, and more. It’ll go out only on Saturdays, saving me time writing 2 a week (and you getting an extra email!) So if you want a Tuesday reminder, follow one of the other ideas here.
Don’t want email?
Tell YT to send you ALL the videos by tapping on the bell, and have your notifications turned on.
Sick to death of algorithms on all these sites?
Join Artventure, where I post my videos plus some extra info. AND we’re going to be having monthly zooms there like a super fun Zoom studio session we just did last week. I’ll be creating some bonus videos expanding on ideas in various classes so there’ll be way more to learn there in 2024.
Substack: gbye! Moving to my own site.
I’m completely divorcing Substack. They confirmed some terrible policies so I’m voting with my feet. I’m moving daily sketches to my fine art site – subscribe to that daily email here. When you subscibe Ill send you a list of tips for starting a daily sketch habit, and there’s a little coupon code for new subscribers, too!
How will my content change?
In general I’ll share only things I think the algorithm might like. And maybe not even every day any more, we’ll see. I’m not going to give it my really good stuff coz, well, it didn’t LIKE any of it!
Facebook will only see something from me on video tutorial days because, well, hardly anyone even saw the great post about my mom whose painting won in a contest. Her painting was turned into the corporate greeting card for the folks who own her assisted living place!
What are your resolutions?
Not just the let’s lose weight stuff. What’s the FUN STUFF? 🙂
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Your mom’s painting is amazing! Great resolutions!!!
Sandy. this entire post and all the comments has been very inspiring, comforting, encouraging, spiritually refreshing, and HAPPY-MAKING!! I don’t do any social media other than a few YouTube artist (YOU!!), and a few FB artist groups. After reading this post, I’m ready to unhook from all of the time-wasters on FB that just take up space. Like several others mentioned, I have some of your classes waiting in the wings, I’ll absolutely get to them!
My word of the year: RECEIVE. I will pay attention to the universal flow in my life, day by day. I have several spiritual outlets that will get more attention. I have several lovely art outlets that will get MUCH more attention this year. Life changes as we age, I’m ready for the slower, more introspective season now. And I must keep up my Physical Therapy so I CAN keep doing “my thing”, as well as care for my wonderful aging hubby who has many health issues – he is my rock plus encourages me in every way❤️
Thank you tons for sharing your talent, your joy of living, your encouragement and teaching. For quite some time I have felt you have been an amazing blessing in my life.
So on we go – looking forward to more art and good times here!!
Hi there friend. If you think back at your days with OWH I know you know what I mean. I have on top of my list that I must minimize the space I allow this to take over my free space in our house. This Christmas our guest room was such a mess with empty boxes – full card boxes etc our daughter had to sleep on the coach in the living room. How bad was that.
January I have committed to use one hour a day to get my stuff sorted, organized and clear all horisontal space. I want to be able to see my wooden floors again. Wish me luck. Happy new year – hope the mail made it from Denmark to US.
Oh I wish you the best of luck! I remember the overwhelming feeling
My resolution is to celebrate the small victories. Now, if I can just remember it. Kudos to your mom. How inspiring and fun. I’ve NEVER had social media which is why I probably never win much. I did have to laugh because I didn’t know what a trolly was. Figured it out real quick. So, their negative is going to benefit us. That iS awesome. Did I tell you I found a double negative in your writing? Just kidding.
Ha you just wanted to try to score a point. LOL.
I’ve been following you for years, I get your emails. Broke up with FB 8 years ago. Love the scoring points! My resolution this year is to slow down. I am going to enjoy what’s around me instead of rushing to do everything and missing the small moments, which usually are the best moments. I’m going to stop and smell the roses. Good luck in the new year
I love getting your emails and watching your videos and, as someone else said, buying your classes some of which I too still have to finish. It was delightful seeing on Facebook how talented your mum is!
Oh my goodness I loved the coffee cups and that golden retriever… I don’t know how you manage to get the fine lines with pastels … I’ve not tried them for many many years and wasn’t any good with them back then so I admire anyone who is … and the bird in charcoal? Wow! I’m so glad I found you however or wherever and whatever platform I did because you encourage and inspire us all … thank you and Happy New Year!
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody! 🙂 Best wishes for 2024. May your year be happy, healthy and blessed.
I created an IG account once to enter a competition but then I had to choose what the heck to do with it after the competition ended. In the end I decided that since I am a very private person I would not be adding photos of me and documenting my (very boring) daily life and I simply wasn’t prepared to spend x hours every day creating digital art (Photoshop) to post. I felt it would have been like running on a hamster wheel. So what would be the point of keeping it? But, for some reason, I didn’t really want to close it down either.
Then I came across an article claiming that social media has essentially been designed to be a drug: when we get the likes / followers / etc. we get a high which then tanks so we check the social(s) to get another hit… and another… but when the comments are negative or the dislikes (or whatever) start coming in or simply because your likes / followers don’t increase, we crash. Just like a drug. I closed my IG account immediately since I had found myself doing exactly that – enjoying the likes but feeling a little disappointed when, in the few hours since I last checked, the likes hadn’t increased. And this was only within 2 or 3 days of creating the account! No thanks.
Best decision I made, I think. So no social media here. Except YT.
Not long after that I received some validation of my decision – my mom came across a video put out by one of the channels she followed about how the creator had given FB up 2 months previously because he was spending so much time there and not getting anywhere. He said that he’d felt so depressed and unproductive but felt so much happier and more productive since he quit FB. Especially since all the effort he put into FB to build his business… didn’t. He’d be directing is energy elsewhere.
As someone else stated: It’s a big deal to move house and an even bigger deal to move to another country. We do all sorts of research and planning / preparation for the move. So what about the internet? Most of us now live our lives on the web… What about *that* move? For those of us who grew up without internet, I do think it is easier. But what about the younger generations who don’t remember or never knew a time without the web?
My apologies for the long (and probably controversial) post. This isn’t to lecture (or offend) anyone but just to put the info out there. Maybe it will help someone – if only to understand why.
You do you. But do it *your* way and on *your* terms.
Best of luck with your decision(s), Sandy. I’m sure it will move both you and your business in a positive direction.
P.S. Congrats to your mom. She’s as awesome as you are!
I’m not one to judge any experience in just days of being on a platform, nor on one article. My business would not be keeping a roof over my head without social media and I am glad I’m there and for the tens of thousands of artists I can help who I’ve found there. I’m just trying to find the best way to work with it.
PS. Your Mom is a keeper. Ever thought about a mom & daughter team?
Shes 94 with no interest in doing more than painting for fun.
94 Praise the lord her painting is extraordinary!!!! What a beautiful gift she provided to so many
I am excited for you Sandy on your new direction and do stick to your goals. I agree with Amy Westfall. All the Best for you in 2024. I’ll be watching my inbox for your name. Thank you for the joy you bring to this world with your art.
Warmest regards,
Cindy Madrulli
I congratulate you, Sandy, for stepping off the regular wheel of social Media, i.e., Facebook. When I’m able to get to it, I do look at Instagram but it’s not an all-day adventure and that’s why I don’t like FB. I love catching up with people but I find that only doing so by FB posts seems somewhat lacking. I always enjoy what you post, even though I don’t always have time to watch everything. Thanks for everything.
I, too, am giving up on “surfing” the web that gives me more and more of whatever I clicked on once out of curiosity. I don’t need multi car accidents and popping pimples.
But my big project for happier days is the Johanna Basford Weekly Coloring Planner. Each week gets a new page to color. Instead of writing appointments and such for each day, I will write 3 positive things that happened each day. I am calling it my Gratitude Journal.
Here is a link to the book. http://tinyurl.com/mr28ukv3
I did one 10 years ago, going through a rough patch and it helped a lot. Well this year is going to be a rougher patch than last year so I need positives in my life. My husband has stage IV kidney cancer that spread to his pancreas and lungs and thyroid. Plus he has late middle stage Alzheimer’s. I am his only caregiver.
I am looking forward to doing (or finishing) all the classes I have purchased from Sandy over the years because “I like that, I want to do that” and never did. Now it will be a good distraction for me when he’s sleeping and I have time to care for myself. Thanks, Sandy. Every time you have a sale, I look and I already bought that course a few years back.
LOVE the idea of scoring points for the negatives, great way to turn those into a positive!
I just wish my budget let me go shop EVERY time there’s a negative. LOL!
I think I am happy to know all of this. I really really do not like social media , I find myself scrolling aimlessly and it’s a time waster. I sat down the last 2 weekends , first writing out some thoughts and questions for my spiritual life- what does He want in certain areas of my life , and then this weekend was able to get to artistic goals or direction . I am looking forward to what the year will bring . The great push out of last years gate and into this year , does not fit who I am. Slow, quiet, finding rest in my soul and life. Work life is demanding daily, but good. I want the artistic side to be the reflection and goodness of what He wants to develop in me. I want to learn, do , create, and be at peace when I do. We’ll see what happens as the year progresses. Accepting the deep breath of creativity and creative joy He is trying to give to me.
Yes!!!! Awesome!!! We’re on the same page! ❤️❤️❤️
I totally get why you are breaking up with social media!!! I just do it for “fun” to see artists and people who I WANT to see and I get all these people who I DON’T want to follow. I scratch my head at most of the recommendations that they give me.
I also think that life is all about making OURSELVES happy. No one can do that for us. I am glad that you have figured out what makes you smile and are sticking to it!!
As for my “resolutions,” (do I want to even call them that? More like happiness shifts? would be a better name!) is to get back to my exercise routine that I got out of in December. I feel so much better physically and mentally doing it first thing in the morning, even if it gets me out of bed at 4 am. I do it before I go to work and it helps set the tone for the day.
My second “happiness shift” is to get organized. I feel over the years that I have gotten into the trap of stuff. I have a ton of different crafting hobbies-paper crafting, making barbie clothes/furniture. I want to organize it all and get rid of what I don’t use anymore. I also want to use what I have and get off the buying train. Stuff doesn’t make me happy. Using it does!!
My third happiness shift I have started in December. I have bought some cleaning things that will help get good results when I clean and make it fun. Gadgets are the key, I have discovered, for me to enjoy cleaning! It is kind of funny when you are asking for a special mop for Christmas to clean the outside of your cupboards without having to climb on the counters!
My last happiness shift is to stay more connected. I suffer from depression and if I didn’t have to go to work, I would be happy to isolate myself. I am going to plan fun things to do with friends and others to get me out of my own mind. It is always a struggle but when I do it, it makes me feel so much better!!!
Happy New Year to you!! I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!!
Sounds like an awesome list, Nora!
Great ideas!
Happiness shifts!!! ❤️
You have some great things happening this year. I’m taking Sandy’s focus on fun and your happiness shift idea into the new year. Happy New Year!
I want to try to get to my emails more often and really just try to make it through the day! Anxiety, Depression and PTSD are a hard battle! Your emails and videos always warm my soul. Your work is just so beautiful. I am a true admirer and have been for years. I bought a few things from you years ago. The hex chart was one for copics and has helped immensely. I need to get the prismacolor one at some point. I need to know how to work them together as well
I’m planning on a class with alcohol marker + pencil ideas in it, so stay tuned! It’s on my list.
Talent sure does run in the family..Congrats to your Mom.
I’m so proud of her! She may have given up doing her “own” art (she just paints in classes at assisted living where they provide the subject and paints)….but she still puts her own spin on any painting they teach.
Sandy,
I think you are awesome and I take your classes, learn so much from you and appreciate you, your art and fun loving nature. Just don’t lose those of us who enjoy you!
I’m hoping to find BETTER ways to stay in touch with my tribe – laying all our eggs in a social media’s basket is too dangerous! I know artists who are in freakout mode because they only had a following on Twitter/X – and their businesses are dead now. So I’m working on ways to keep in touch via email, Artventure, and more so that I don’t lose people along the way 🙂 Thanks for being in my tribe, Julie!
Sandy, your mom is so cute. I just want to hug her. I love all your art and videos etc. To me you are the true artist, caring for helping others along the way! Have a super new year filled with blessings and love!
I kinda like hugging her too! She’s made it through cancer surgery, pneumonia, and Covid all in a row this year. We are blessed she’s still here with us!
Fantastic about your momma! And secondly about your ideas, I think they’re great ideas, staying away from social media dependency is ideal. I wish you the best. I’ll be looking out for your correspondence and Happy New Year!!
So our classes in Art-classes.com will still be there? Or are they moving?
Yep! Everything is the same there. My social media changes are about how I get the word out ABOUT classes. I’m tired of them not sharing anything that links off the social platform—every time I say “use the link in my bio to get to the tutorial/class” it seems to kill the reach of the post. It’s that thing I’m trying to fix 🙂
Thank you! I love getting emails of inspiration & love my classes are still there waiting for me “when I get some time!”