A few days ago, I started using a new filter in Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 to sharpen my photos. The filter is called CLARIFY and it sharpens the focus of the image--it's a wonderful little one step tool.
Clarify-- to me, it means to clear up or clean up, to put things in sharper focus. For me, it's a metaphor. The clarify filter takes all that data called pixels and transforms them just enough to make the data more understandable to the eye.
Lately, I've been thinking that CLARIFY is a great filter to use in other areas of my life. So, here are some things that I plan to CLARIFY in the next few weeks:
MY STUDIO: I need to clarify what tools, materials and stuff I really do plan to use now in this stage of my work. Actually, I started clarifying by giving the studio a thorough vacuuming with my NEW wonderful cheap lightweight and effective vacuum cleaner. Presto, the floor was clarified. And, in the process, I did some dusting around the shelves, tossed out some junk and organized my paints and some other tools. Final step--I will sell or give away some fabric that I just know I won't use. CLARIFYing my studio helps me work more efficiently because I'm not fumbling around looking for the supplies I need for a project.
MY PHOTO FILES: I have a fairly good organization scheme but occasionally, I go looking for a set of photos (like my doorway series) and can't remember which folder they are in. I'll go through and do some moving and tweaking and make the folder labeling on my PC super CLARIFIED.
ART GOALS FOR 2009: All the other clarifying I'm doing is to make space for the most important clarifications. How do I want to spend my time this year? Which medium calls to me? what type of shows to enter? How do I activate my business plan?
Yes, the economy is bad, but what better time to start building gallery and museum relationships!?! Maybe we will start looking for that combined gallery and studio space we keep talking about? Goals need to be CLARIFIED, then activated with daily/weekly steps.
HOW ABOUT YOU??? What will you use the CLARIFY filter on today, tomorrow or next week?
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