How to Measure Success as an Artist
Make your own Creativity Wrapped
It’s that time of the year: everyone is sharing Spotify Wrapped and reflecting on their year.
Just like there are "Birthday People" and "Not Birthday People," I believe there are "New Year’s People" and "Not New Year’s People." I’m decidedly a New Year’s Person. I love reflecting, zooming out, and setting goals for the next year.
This year feels a bit different. When I look back, it’s hard to measure my success. As an artist, my metrics are less linear than they have ever been professionally. The bottom line of my business doesn’t feel like an accurate representation of my year. Even though my salary was lower this year compared to last, I made huge leaps creatively and professionally.
This fall, I landed the biggest project of my career! It’s a dream come true, but I have to keep it under wraps a little longer. I’ve been immersed in it for 2 months now, but the compensation won’t be reflected in my revenue for the year, making it extra confusing to analyze at my achievements on paper.
I’m trying to develop a more holistic approach to measuring success of my art practice. One thing that’s helpful has been to make my own Creativity Wrapped. These are not ranked by income, but rather creative milestones or skills that I’m the most proud of:
My Creativity Wrapped
Published a mini coloring book (arriving just in time for last-minute shoppers). Get a copy here!
Took an art class at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. It truly changed my life. Over five days, I learned how to make comics and fell in love with an entirely new medium.
Worked on a top-secret project that I can’t wait to share in the New Year!
Designed and launched Climate Art 101 and ran two successful cohorts with 100 students total. Being able to use my past experience in education to write the curriculum from scratch was so fulfilling. The Creatives in Climate Slack community has been one of my favorite parts of this year. The next cohort begins January 20th. Learn more here.
Expanded my art style by learning to paint landscapes and nature. I took tons of Skillshare classes and went to Youtube University to level up this skillset.
Drafted a children’s book about agrivoltaics in a class at the School of Visual Arts. It was so cool to have a weekly routine of going to an in-person art class in the city. It was very challenging and I can’t believe I made a full draft in 6 weeks.
Hosted climate art workshops across the country. I went to Seattle, SF, and DC to host workshops for conferences.
Learned how to cook. I focused on making a few key recipes that I love and can cook by heart this year!
Wrote this newsletter 48 times this year. You all know about this one, thank you for being here!
Started reading for pleasure again and completed my Goodreads Challenge by finishing 25 books.
Reflection Questions
If you want to create your own Creativity Wrapped, here are some prompts to get started:
What did you learn this year?
What did you make that you’re proud of?
What was your favorite thing you cooked?
What was your favorite book you read?
What was a big creative win?
Did you go anywhere that filled you with wonder?
Did you develop a new habit?
Did you take a class or try a new hobby?
Send me yours, I’d love to see!
Also if you want to make a holiday card for a friend or loved one, I made a bunch of cute climate holiday cards as a digital download!
Happy holidays friends! See you in the New Year ✨