CREATIVE GOALS for 2023!!

Hey team!! Seeing as the New Year is now in full swing, I figured it's time I hold myself accountable and set some creative goals for the upcoming year:

Some important notes to get us started:

• I'll be taking a year off from my studies at CalArts starting in Fall! This means I hopefully can focus on more personal projects, YouTube etc.
• The animation world is super unpredictable and I need to pay rent!! If a decent job opportunity comes my way at any point in the year, I may have to set some of my goals aside.
• I haven't gone out into the world too much since the pandemic - I hope to do some travelling in summer and at the end of the year! I probably won't be making much art during those times but we'll see.

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⭐️ FINISH "FIREWORKS" ⭐️

This film has been in the works since November 2021 and I'm kind of super over it at this point. I care a lot about it but my insecurities and short attention span are getting the better of me. I want this to be DONE so I can move on lol.

⭐️ RENT FREE ⭐️

Rent free is a project I've been thinking about for over 5 years at this point. It's so close to becoming a real thing now and I feel giddy just thinking about it!!

I just posted an audio file of me describing the project for my $10 Patrons!! Want the juicy details?? Then become a Cheese Chap! There's just so much bubbling around in my head right now that I couldn't possibly write it all out haha. I've also added a page about Rent Free to my website: https://meppity.com/rent-free 

⭐️ UPDATE PORTFOLIO ⭐️

My portfolio website feels SO crusty right now lol. I need to do a deep clean - delete old art and replace it with newer work. I also need to do some restructuring: Right now, my site sits on the fence between being optimised for my audience and recruiters/studios. This wishy-washy structure favours no one.

For those who don't know, portfolio pieces tend to be wildly different to what the average artist posts on Instagram. You have to display particular sets of skills depending on the jobs you want. There's a general vibe that portfolio work has which isn't entirely catered to Instagram aesthetics. To be specific, Instagram often rewards finished illustrations or really clean, lively sketches. Those are things important to include in portfolios too but on top of that, story artists need longer storyboards, series character designers need turnarounds, writers need scripts etc. I feel like I haven't made recent work that fits into these categories so I'm definitely gonna knuckle down after the school year wraps up.

⭐️ PLUSHIES ⭐️

OMG I'm literally so excited and nervous about this one!! I plan to launch a preorder campaign for cheese plushies in March but I need 200 orders for them to get manufactured. I don't know if I can manage that number at this stage.

I got my first samples back at the end of 2022 and though they need some major fixes, they're looking SO COOL already!! I'll share more soon :)

Want to stay on top of updates? head to https://meppity.gimmeswag.com 🧀

⭐️ FELTING ⭐️

I've been desperate to get away from my computer and do something with my hands again! I've been taking a sewing class that scratches that itch - I'm feeling SO inspired but the class ends in a week already. I also had a fantastic time making my Janey doll in Summer of 2021 (you can check her out at https://meppity.com if you scroll down a bit)

To be specific about felting, I have a bunch of silly whimsical characters I doodle that I'd love to turn into felt toys!! Once I get the hang of things, I would LOVE to sell a few little dolls!

I'd also love to make some process videos!!

⭐️ SELL ONE-OF-A-KIND ART ⭐️

Speaking of selling art, I want to start selling sketches and other unique bits of art. It'll be a good way for me to use my hands, make a little money and not have my own art take up space in my apartment.

⭐️ SELL HANDMADE SKETCHBOOKS ⭐️

CalArts has a print lab with book-making equipment!! I likely won't have access + time until Fall but I would LOVE to make really cute teeny tiny sketchbooks to sell!!

I could do a mix of pre-filled books and some empty ones for the buyers to fill themselves :)

⭐️ TABLE AT A CONVENTION ⭐️

I went to my first ever convention in October (Lightbox) and had an INCREDIBLE time!! I was super over-stimulated but it was amazing meeting so many followers and people who I've looked up to for years. It was fascinating so see all four corners of the art world collide:

- The social media stars (my YouTuber friends, Instagram celebs who I've followed since I was 14 etc)
- The Industry bigwigs (veterans who have impacted all of our childhoods and came to share their wisdom)
- Studios + Recruiters (So many awesome companies came to support the artists!)
- You guys! (It was crazy getting recognised and seeing students from schools across the US)

ANYWAYYYY all this to say, I'd love to try my hand at getting a table and selling art next time! That way, I won't have to get smuggled into the after party again hehe ;)

⭐️ POST TO TIKTOK ⭐️

I've been meaning to try my hand at short-form content for a while (both with Rent Free and my usual educational art stuff) so maybe 2023 will be the year!

The hard part is staying on top of trends, I desperately don't want to scroll through TikTok but there's no other way to truly know what's poppin'

⭐️ YOUTUBE VIDEOS ⭐️

Ideally, I'd like to have at least five (5) YouTube videos up this year! It's easier said than done though. Editing is a bore for me but I can't hire anyone because the edits are dependent on me drawing the assets.

⭐️ MORE MERCH ⭐️

I'm pretty happy with the current selection available so far but I have some more pieces I'd like to create:

- the one-of-a-kind drawings
- the felt characters
- the sketchbooks
- FiREWORKS posters
- Rent Free stuff
- more product types e.g. mugs, blankets, pins, calendars

⭐️ RELEASE MORE MUSIC ⭐️

I've been tinkering in Logic recently for my film and I've enjoyed it a lot! My problem is being too indecisive to actually finish the songs. I hope I can get over it and get at least two pieces out there :)

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So that's a lot of goals!! I'm not going to be too hard on myself if I don't achieve everything in the list, especially if I end up getting a job but either way, I'm ready to attack the year with all the creativity in my soul!!

WHAT ARE YOUR ART GOALS?? Share your plans in the comments below! 💛