I am feeling like a bad blogger again. I am also feeling a little lost. Is it because of winter? I know many of you have spoken of the winter doldrums. It was 60 here last weekend, 27 today, and 60 promised for Sunday again. I know the weather effects my mood, so hopefully this feeling will be short-lived.
I guess you would say I'm torn between the must-do and the wanna-do. I struggle with it daily and have not yet found any workable solution. I am steadily busy from 8 am to 8 pm but none of it is art time. I don't know how I lost all my art time, but it's gone.
But then I ask myself, am I into busyness to avoid the muse? True, I am in transition from my old familiar ways to a new approach to art and yes, that is scary. I know the answer is in the work, yet there is no work. And I go round in this circle day after day, week after week now.
I am pleased with the new fabric swatches I created this past weekend, but at the same time, disappointed in the lack of output. It is a start, but a start towards what? I am a big believer in the notion that the universe presents you with what you need when the time is right. And I have read that time is just a consideration – if you think you have time, you do. If you think you don't have time, well….you don't.
And one more thing. I have also discovered that if you talk your problems over with someone else, that often solves them. So thanks for listening.
PS. There's a wonderful review of Fabulous Fabric Art with Lutradur on Sue Bleiweiss's blog, and also on Amazon. If you've read this far, here's a proposition – post a review of FFAWL on Amazon, let me know when you do and what your address is, and I'll send you a giftie.
Happy Valentines Day, dear Lesley. Love the photos. So sorry we didn’t have the opportunity to talk about issues just like this, the last time I saw you.
xoxo
Here I am checking your blog 6 days later because I too can keep myself very busy from 8 to 8 and very very often it is not on my art. I journal about it trying to figure out why I lock the excitement of the next project up in my mind and live for days with the excitement of that great idea and many other ideas wanting to be realized and then I fuss because I’m not working and I’ll never get my stuff made, painted, whatever. I truly think art so much of the time and yet I don’t always do it. Savour it perhaps. I do know that the reality in one area is a very small house full of materials and me with big ideas so I work and make a mess and then work at putting away better, more organized and I enjoy that process too as it’s handling things that bring back old ideas and bring forth new ones. I don’t think I’ll ever find a balance for the art I want to do and the art I get done. I’m trying to accept my way of working and not judge too much. It’s hard. I do get work accomplished though. I have a solo show of my paintings here in Ottawa and there are 25 of them which is all new work since I moved here 7 years ago so I can give myself credit as those paintings are not all I did in the 7 years as I do other artful things besides paint. I guess I just gave myself permission to smile and say good job done. So do the same Lesley. Take inventory and say good job done as you are one of my mentors for the body of work I’ve seen over the years. Fragments, dolls, books, videos, taking up new things in class, your wonderful big family, your blog, and now you keep adding. All the best, Deborah
Lesley – you know you’ll get there when the timing’s right. And ‘there’ will be wherever you are meant to be. There’s no such thing as coincidence – it’s synchronicity… being in the right place at the right time sorta thing! Just keep thinking you have time and that your cup is more than half full!
BTW – those fabric swatches are scrummy!
It is so hard this time of year to feel creative!! Between the idea and the execution is an extraordinarily long long time. I think it has to do with light. Without being able to go outside and absorb that beautiful sun and warmth, I have a difficult time doing. Maybe it is time for just being.
Carolyn Marshall
I understand exactly how you feel. I do believe it’s something in the “air” this time of year. Perhaps anticipation for spring after such a tough winter. Received my copy of he new book yesterday! It is wonderful!
Have you ever read anything by Mary Oliver? For me, there is something about her writing that re’stores’ my sense of wonder….
Hi Lesley! I know just how you feel… I have been ‘there’ many a time. What I do is let it be… hmmmm…. sounds like “THe Beatles” song… nevertheless, when I feel like this, I tend to search for something, anything, that lights some sort of spark inside of me… something that excites me, something that inspires me. Sometimes it takes awhile, and I know it’s all part of the process. I think it helps me stretch beyond what I already know. It’s that ‘excitement’ factor that really gets me going… usually I just have to find something to get excited about… and THEN….. I have to be sure to do something with it once I find it. And then…. I’m amazed at how much there is in the world to get excited about!
I’m sure you know all this…. I’m just hoping to be supportive!