Out With the Old - In With the New - Happy New Year

by Skip Cohen

​Unlike the genius creativity that makes Barbara Bordnick so fantastic (she does all her cropping in-camera), I had to crop this image to get what I wanted. I loved the corny symbolism as we wrap up the year, and a new one is at the door. At least in terms of artistic expression early this morning, it fits with my thoughts as one flower dies, and another comes into full bloom.

It's New Year's Eve 2019, and we're all looking forward to a new year. But, I wrote a little about this the other day. The "NEW" in the New Year is all up to you. Nothing magically changes between 11:59 PM and 12:01. Commitments you've made don't go away. Whatever debt you have is still on the books. Whatever weak spots you have in your skillset, don't suddenly grow into assets!

As depressing as I just made it sound - it's an amazing time because what you do have is a celebration for how much you grew in the last year as an artist and a business owner. Sure, you made mistakes, and there are things you could have done better, but you learned something new every day.

What does magically change at midnight is your ability to flip a switch on how you look at your business. It's an opportunity to close the books on taxes and appreciate a clean slate of how to be more accountable and profitable in the new year. And most important of all, it's like couples who renew their vows - you can think about your commitment to grow; step outside your comfort zone, and become a better artist in the new year. It's a time to renew your vows with your career.

And that's how I want to wrap up one of my last posts for 2019 - being outrageously corny, sappy, hokey, simplistic and optimistic about 2019 and the new year ahead. Just like the flower shot above, tomorrow morning kicks off 2020, and I hope like you, I'm asking myself, what can I do to make 2020 even better?

Thank you for following me, for your readership and support. One thing that will never change is my willingness to help when you need it. All of you know where to find me. I won't always have the answers, but I sure have a terrific network of friends who do.

​Happy New Year!

Note: I love shooting with LUMIX G9. I never worry about sharpness. This image was enlarged 122%. Shot with a G9 and 14-140mm lens F/8@1/400 ISO 200 at 55mm. Cropping and very minor post processing done in Luminar.