Year in Review: 2021

2021 was a year. It’s always so interesting looking back over the year. The year didn’t go nearly as I had planned, but it definitely had its ups (and its downs). Taking the time to review what happened – what worked and didn’t, what I’d like to carry forward into the new year and what I’d leave behind – has become a very helpful New Year’s Eve/Day/Weekend tradition. It’s also interesting to look back each year to see how much things have changed and how I’ve grown as an artist.

In addition to my normal yearly review below, I’ve compiled a video of some of the highlights in my art and my life this past year. Enjoy!

New Art Works

I created 67 new works of art:
-31 acrylic landscape paintings
-36 Ink sketches

Snowy Afternoon Drive was one of my favorites, as well as Late Afternoon on the Porch, and Sunflower Library. There were a lot of good ones to choose from this year!

Art Exhibitions

-Participated in 9 exhibitions/events
-Exhibited 63 pieces of art (thanks a large part to my solo show)

The Beauty Right in Front of Us (Gallery 41 in Owego, NY)

In March I was the guest artist at Gallery 41 in Owego, NY, showing 40 of my pieces in “The Beauty Right in Front of Us”. It was such an amazing experience to have so many pieces of my art together in one place!

Clemens & the Pen: Perspectives from the Porch (Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, NY)

In the spring I participated in the exhibit from last year’s Quarry Farm visit, showing six new paintings inspired by the experience where Mark Twain used to spend his summers. Later in the summer I was accepted to and participated in the third annual Perspectives from the Porch event – look forward to the exhibition coming in 2022.

Everyday Life Every Day Art (Cloud Croft Studios in Owego, NY)

In the fall, two of my paintings were juried into the Everyday Life Every Day Art regional art exhibition at Cloud Croft Studios in Owego. My acrylic painting “Late Summer on the Porch” received the Betty Bryden and Tom Canouse Award!

Holiday Art Market (Arnot Art Museum in Elmira, NY)

This holiday season I was invited to participate in the Holiday Art Market at the Arnot Art Museum in Elmira. I displayed 10 of my local landscape pieces as well as had a selection of glitter snowflake ornaments alongside nine other regional artists.

Blog Posts

I had the opportunity to write 46 (wow) blog posts this year! There were a few that I revisited from the previous year that I felt could be enjoyed again. I had forgotten how many interactive art shows I had created. They were a lot of fun to make (and a lot of work) – I’m thinking I’ll make some new ones in the coming year!

Click on the post title to read any you’d like to revisit

Virtual Elmira Art Show
Painting Tip for Contrast
Virtual Corning Art Show
Four Favorite Waterfalls to Visit in Winter
Virtual Rural Art Show
Landscape with Rainbow
Virtual Valentine Art Show
Artist Trick for Finding Colors
Virtual Watkins Glen State Park Art Show
100 Day Project Part One
Virtual Orchid Art Show
DIY Valentine Ornaments
Virtual Winter Scenes Art Show
100 Day Project Part Two
Virtual Clouds Art Show
March Events
March Meet the Maker Part 1
Virtual Owego Scenes Art Show
March Meet the Maker Part 2
March Meet the Maker Part 3
Virtual Lake Scenes Art Show
March Meet the Maker Part 4
April Events

Other Highlights of 2021

This year I expanded my team by bringing on a new Studio Assistant and three unexpected Art Interns (Meet the Team). Most of the year was spend getting them trained and up to speed.

I also enjoyed watching the flowers bloom, gardening, and spotting beautiful sunsets.

What's In Store for 2022

I’m in the process of reviewing my goals and seeing what different opportunities are out there for the coming year (Let me know if you hear of something!). I’m planning on doing some website updates, finishing the final touches on a printable planner I designed, and I have lots of ideas for new art. Keep an eye out for some new interactive art show blogs too.