6 Artist Resolutions to Inspire And Motivate You in 2022

From refining their social media use to perfecting a work life balance, we asked our artists to tell us their goals for the New Year.

In 2019, Strava, the social network for athletes, conducted research that showed that the 12^th of January marks the day when most people are likely to give up their New Year’s resolutions. With motivation faltering and the temptation of old habits looming, it can be easy to throw in the towel. Therefore, to aid you on your way, we decided to ask some of our artists to share their resolutions for 2022 in a bid to motivate and inspire you to set an intention and stick at it. Regardless of how big or small it may be.

Sebastian Chaumeton

A YouGov poll in 2020 discovered that 18% of people had career-oriented goals while 22% of those taking the survey wanted to spend more time with their family. British artist Sebastian Chaumeton wants to strive for both in 2022, with the artist looking to perfect his work life balance by both experimenting more with his art and taking more time to nurture relationships around him.

“In terms of my art I think it would be to play more. Play in the sense of experimentation. Doing things without an outcome in mind. Playing with my mediums, style, techniques and honestly, for the fun of it. Trying to discover something new within the process of play.

In terms of lifestyle, I think it’s to call my friends & family more often. Creating art can be very solitary and it’s easy to bury my head in the proverbial studio sand without coming up for air.” 

SEBASTIAN CHAUMETON, THE MARES OF DIOMEDES, 2020/2021

Bradley Theodore

Known for his chromatic designs of fashion icons, Bradley Theodore is a multi-disciplinary artist who works at the forefront of contemporary art. Creating murals, painting canvases, and taking part in ground-breaking collaborations with a whole host of global brands, Theodore’s expressive technique is well-loved across the world. For the artist, capturing emotion through his paint strokes is paramount. He told Maddox that:

“In 2022 I resolve not to hold myself back in my paintings, and to put even more of myself into each of them”.

Theodore’s resolution echoes the notable words of the late Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock who once said, “Every good painter paints what he is”.

BRADLEY THEODORE, CHAMPION I, 2019

Graceland London

For visual artist and illustrator Graceland London, New Year’s marks nothing more than an arbitrary passing of time. Her unique paintings examine the frank reality of our culture today, looking at society’s obsession with mass consumption and narcissism with an equal measure of wit. Her resolution of making a change one small step at a time echoes the relatable scenes she paints in her surrealist universe, offering hope for change but remaining realistic about the world we live in.

“My New Year’s resolution is to not have one. I realize I work on my goals throughout the year as it’s an ongoing process. I feel people are too fixated on a resolution when it’s not really about that, it’s about taking it day by day with small steps towards your goals and if you practice the art of that, you won’t need a ‘New Year’s’ resolution”.

GRACELAND LONDON, TWIN FLAME, 2021

Lefty Out There

For 16% of resolution-makers surveyed by YouGov in 2020, cutting down on social media was a top priority. However, for international street artist Lefty Out There his goal for 2022 is slightly different.

"To be more intentional about my social media usage", the Chicago-based artist told Maddox.

Over the past five years, social media has become central to an artist’s evolution and rise to success. This is exemplified by the increasing success of red-chip artists, young creatives whose markets are predominantly social media driven and are selling for astronomical prices at auction. Therefore, Lefty Out There’s endeavour to use his social media more intentionally is a great way of increasing his exposure in the art world and beyond.

 LEFTY OUT THERE, NEO EXTASIA VIRIDI, 2019

Dawn Okoro

American artist Dawn Okoro is known for her bold and vivid paintings. Embodying space, movement, design and texture in her work, her artwork is as dynamic as it is vibrant. Her latest body of work, which will be exhibited in London this February, consists of twelve portraits depicting friends, many of whom are dancers. Yet, Okoro’s love for movement extends far beyond the confines of her paintings. When we asked the artist about her resolutions for the New Year, she stated:

“I recently started skateboarding, so my resolution is to learn how to ollie. I can’t wait to be able to jump over things and have even more fun at the skate park”.

The 2020 poll also discovered that 15% of British adults were taking up a new skill as their goal for 2021. Historically, many famous creatives have taken up interesting hobbies alongside a thriving career. For example, renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat played in a noise rock band in his spare time, whilst Salvador Dali illustrated books as a break from his painting.

DAWN OKORO, ROSHI, 2018

Cooper

As always, the new year brings with it a wealth of expectations. For American figurative painter Cooper, 2022 promises the prospect of his career transitioning from national to international.

“I am excited about starting the new year as 2021 has been a fantastic beginning working with Maddox. My New Year's resolution is to have my first International Solo Gallery Show. That's been on my mind for a few years and this year I really want to bring that to light”.

With a solo exhibition scheduled in London with Maddox in late June, Cooper is set to achieve his New Year’s goal.

COOPER, RED VASE, 2021