What can I start saying NO to?

Smart Goals reviewed and refined:

Ok, so I re-read my first try at a Smart goal, and the goal I thought I could finish in one day, Monday August 3, (I can get that all done tomorrow, maybe) still remains unfinished.

My current goal is to receive at least 2 commissioned Temple paintings from the 60+ new contacts I got at the La Caille Bridal Expo I spent $600.00 and several hours obtaining.

Potential obstacles or concerns:

1. Well, so far I have emailed all 60 brides, and looked for them on Facebook. Not many responses at all.

2. I have one client so far. I will meet with Sara and Francisco on Aug 27 to do a photo shoot at the Mt. Timpanogus Temple. They want an 8x10 for the sign-in table at their reception.

3. Diversions have accumulated: I did a Plein Air event Saturday the 16th, painting remains unfinished and it is so enticing...I really want to finish it. Plein Air competition event scheduled on August 23rd. I paid for 3 entries, which means I have three little landscapes to do next weekend.

4. Funeral tomorrow, Stansbury Art and Lit Society meeting on Tuesday, Budgeting payday (this is really hard stuff for me and takes several hours) on Wednesday, Fiona's birthday party Friday, Sat Sun and Monday to do three plain air paintings and then deliver paintings to Local Colors on Monday.

5. Viola Recital next month, need to practice a lot, Singing in the Choir for General Conference on October 4, and then the next week Messiah practice starts so Sunday nights will be busy from next week until Christmas. Christmas gift paintings planned...hmmm. Always too much to do. What do I need to start saying NO to?

6. And I plan on substitute teaching?....go figure! And there is the yard and housework, exercising and showering....

Business TO DO list:

1. Text all of the brides. Many young people do not use email anymore, but texting is almost universal with that age group.

2. Put all the brides in my contact list, (I'm on the M's.) and then text them all with an invitation to receive a beautiful temple painting as a wedding decoration at their reception, that will increase in value, both monetarily and spiritually as it will also serve as a reminder that their eternal vows are beyond value.

3. Order cards from fineartamerica.com, or got print.net (check prices) and one month before date of their wedding send them a lovely card to remind them of my services and congratulate them again on their wedding plans.

Painting TO DO list:

(My process: Find a photo of the temple I want to draw, hopefully one I took. It can be someone else's photo, as long as they give me permission to use it. It has to be recognizable as a specific temple. It does not have to be the whole temple. It has to be a great composition. I have to be able to put a couple in front, in the foreground after the entire temple is painted. I will paint the temple as a finished painting, photograph it carefully, and then post it on my website. Then I can sell prints of the temple without the personalization. I will also keep the pattern that I draw so I can paint the same temple again if necessary. (For a new commission of the same temple.))

Steps:

1. Transfer only the best photos (particularly Temples) from my older external hard drives.

2. Chose one...make a decision. Then draw it carefully. (as of today, August 17, I have 2 drawn, and one more on the drawing board)

a. Oquirrh Mountain Temple is drawn, and ready to transfer to the 24 x 36 Fredrix cradled watercolor panal. Background (3rd try, I scrubbed it off twice) is ready to gesso. (I sprayed it with printer ink!!!) I'm so excited!

b. Snowflake AZ Temple is drawn and ready to transfer as soon as the sky is dry. Stormy sky, With the temple glowing in front of the storm is the concept. Name: Stand Ye in Holy Places 16x20

c. Snowflake AZ temple nearly finished on a 5x7 Fredrix panel. Watercolor sky, clear gesso, and the temple in oil.

d. Drawing of St. George Temple is started. (it's the one Sara and Francisco want)

3. Apply clear gesso over the sky, seal the edges also, and than transfer the drawing. Then I will seal the drawing with another coat of clear gesso. Begin oil painting the Oquirrh Mountain temple regardless of obtaining a commission.

It's such a fun challenge-being my own boss!

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