Necklace and 2 matching earring sets: N207 and E281 and 282: fire agate, copper and swarovski by Tammy Vitale, $96, $20 and $18 respectively.

 Here's a gift:  Alyson Stanfield's newsletter inventory list.  (Alyson writes at Artbizcoach.com – do yourself another favor – sign up for her newsletter and podcasts for 2009.  You won't be sorry!) Review your 2008.

Don't think you have the time?  You can't not have the time!  Working through this list (an hour or so) may be the single best thing I do to help myself get off on the right foot for 2009.  And because I know some of you won't click over, I'm including it here.  Whatever your next step it will turn neon if you take the time to work through this.  Mine?  Get out and meet more people and see more art (yes, it's work for those of us who are introverts.  But what do you want, to work for someone else?!).

Don't wait.  Give yourself this gift now!  (okay, she had this out early in December and I just got a round tuit…what I'm telling you is:  don't wait like I did.  It's really helpful!)

Here's her list (and oh, by the way, it is SO upbeat!  No "what didn't you do" "what could you have done better" but all "list your accomplishments….just the right mindset for a new year!)(and if you want the links, since I copied this they won't work here – click over to her newsletter site on the link above):

How did you promote your art? (Check out I’d Rather Be in The Studio! for ideas. The Big Book Sale ends December 21!)
What did you do to enhance your online presence?
What technological skills did you learn or improve?
How many people did you add to your mailing list?
Who were the top ten cool or influential people you met?
Whom did you mentor or help out?
Did you create a new business card, portfolio, or other marketing piece?
What medium or skill did you attempt or master?
What did you try that was completely new?
What did you try that was uncomfortable, but helped you grow?
What worthy cause did you support in some way?
What new art events, galleries, and museums did you visit?
What resources did you discover?
How did you improve your studio habits?
What books did you read to help your career? What videos or films were useful?
What seminars/workshops/lectures did you attend or teach?
How did you enhance your office or studio environment?
What organizations were you involved with?
What grants/honors/awards did you receive?
What articles were written about your work?
What exhibits, grants, contest, etc. did you submit your art to?
Where did you save a wad of money?
What was the single best thing that happened to your art career in 2008?

After you’ve written everything down, give thanks. Be grateful for the energy you found, the people you came across, and the experiences you learned from. Then . . .

Celebrate!

KNOW THIS———-~> There will always be more stuff to do.

THINK ABOUT THIS—~> If you don’t acknowledge your accomplishments, who will?

DO THIS————~> Acknowledge yourself for everything you have accomplished in 2008 and celebrate your wins. This is such an important exercise that I advise carving out time on your calendar. Think about joining me to kick up some group energy .

thought for the day:  One problem for the agent trying to sell the stuffed shark was the $12 million asking price for this work of contemporary art.  Another was that it weighed just over two tons and was not going to be easy to carry home….Another concern was that while the shark was certainly a novel artistic concept, many in the art world were uncertain whether it qualified as art…Why would anyone even consider paying this much money for the shark?  Part of the answer is that in the world of contemporary art, branding can substitute for critical judgment, and lots of granding was involved here…The shark had deteriorated dramatically since it was first unveiled at Saatchi's [the original purchaser/collector] private gallery in London in 1992…now was described as entering Norman Bates' fruit cellar and finding Mother embalmed in her chair…Steve Cohen is an example of the financial-sector buyer who drives the market in high-end contemporary art [Cohen bought it]. Cohen was not sure what to do with the shark; it remained stored in England.  he said he might donate it to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York-which might have led to his being offered a position on the MoMA board.  The art world heralded the purchase as a victory for MoMA over London's Tate Modern.  London's Guardian newspaper bemoaned the sale to an American, saying:  "The acquisition will confirm MoMA's dominance as the leading gallery of modern art in the world."  Don Thompson, The $12 Million Stuffed Shark:  The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art"

Note:  This could make me very cynical or define some folks I'd like to meet and talk to over the coming year to understand just how this nonsense (and it is and I wonder if it's still going on given the current economics of financial sector driven anything) happens.  Of course I'd have to change my attitude a bit.  Or perhaps learn to write Dave Barry-like about the art world.  Certainly enough fodder for humor here!