Believeacrylic, fabric sample remnant, paper
8x5"
Quick post while dinner is in the oven.
Sometimes, I get an idea that has to be done right then... but I don't have the materials that match my vision. So I search around until I find something that feels right and then I see what happens. This is one such case.
I think this girl looks a little more modern. I don't know what that means, except maybe in this modern world, we get caught up in the daily expectations and understandings and forget to believe in our pasts, our selves, our dreams.
I've also been thinking about National Poetry Month. I agreed to write a poem a day, but you know, I've been feeling these drawings and paintings are somewhat like poems. I've only written about 3 or 4 poems this month, but that's more than last month. So I'm good.
I am trying not to put myself to such a demanding challenge as a painting a day or a poem a day. I am thinking I'd like to revise five pages a day, but that's just because I want to finish this novel and stop putting it off. I'd like to do more than that, but I'll take 5 pages.
I don't want to burn out. I don't want to expect so much of myself that I can't help but fail. I want to allow myself a natural growth and exploration that might come with time to think about projects or down time or revisions.
So in that spirit, I've started writing poetry, I've done a half dozen or more paintings of a new journey. I've revised 33 or some pages. That's in only a couple of weeks. A little gentler on myself.
I'm trying not to equate my goodness with my production. I have a life to live, you know, not just a quota to make. I am not an art making machine.
I should draw that... an art making machine. That would be funny.
How are you managing your life/work/creating balance? Are you making yourself into a machine, or giving yourself a chance to live?
Interesting that you're thinking about the whole balance too because it's been on my mind a whole lot lately. My vote is totally for living!
ReplyDeleteB, I think I am always going either 100% or zero, and it gets exhausting. I'm looking for something more moderate. Because I can't live well if I am not creating, and I can't create well if I'm not living.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork is amazing. I am really drawn to this mysterious warrior women (Grounded Girl) you've drawn in your recent posts... She reminds me of where I'm at in my own journey.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the need for balance in your creative life. I find it hard to find sometimes, but have a practice of writing in a journal that I carry around with me for when inspiration creeps up, and then keep my blog writing to the weekends.
Good luck with finding your balance.