Well, I'm not sure how you do it but I'm impressed. With Scholastic I feel like all my creative energy has gone to the students, state of Oregon and Portland Metro area. No time for studio. I've been staring at the same painting for months now.
Kris I'm liking the idea small, carry with me ideas, taking the studio on the road.
Does decking the halls, decorating a Christmas tree, Christmas shopping and cookies and parties and all that stuff count as creating? It feels like a creation, like I give birth to the glitter of the season every year because my children will it to be. It's hard not to begrudge it all. I just want to be selfish and read, paint and do nothing. This is such a small chapter in my life, where my children will insist on me making all this happen. In time I'll be sitting in an empty studio wishing I could decorate the house for some little imp.
Wow, I just went off on a tangent. Don't get to do that often. Felt good. Jodi, how's it going for you? Do you feel torn or are you working out the mommy time with the studio time better?
No painting in the foreseable future for me. I did get a piece accepted into a juried show in Feb. Tis the season to celebrate my students accomplishments and cherish the time with my own children and family.
Thanks for letting me vent, share and feel safe.
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I can SOOOO relate to you Shannon!! I know exactly what your talking about when you say you wish you could read and paint and have time to yourself, but you feel guilty and know you would begrudge yourself, and you begrudge yourself for even thinking it in the first place! You want to cherish every minute with your kids but a small part of you is saying "What about MEEEEEE!)" You are right, though--How could you possibly do any different?! Decorating the tree, making cookies and christmas shopping is all about the kids and don't forget that they are your ULTIMATE works of art, so YES! It totally counts!!
ReplyDeleteYou will get back into the studio soon, Shannon! As for me--it's on the back burner until i get through next week! Small amounts of progress are being made on my studio renovation and I hope for a big burst of energy in early January to finish it off! I have started a peice for the "Free as a bird" project and hope to finish it in early January as well. My goal on this one is to FINISH WHAT I START instead of changing my mind and starting another--which I ALWAYS end up doing! I feel like I have to have several pieces going at once or I can't finish anything. I wonder why that is?
Shannon- I am flattered: Thank You. Your opinion means a lot. It is a rough time of year. I did a pomegranate meditation this morning! Your artwork will be waiting for you when you're ready.
ReplyDeleteJodie- I think it's smart to have more than one piece going at a time. Christopher talked about that in Bend. If you find yourself abandoning pieces to start over, maybe it makes sense to spend more time getting the 'gunk out' before starting the actual piece? Sketching, brainstorming, etc? Just an idea.
You guys are the real inspiration. I don't have any kidlets to bring the season to, and yet I still find myself begrudging the holidays, and other commitments (helloooo Scholastic??) that take a way from studio time.
And still, I don't always take advantage of the spare hour that could be spent in the studio when I do get it.
Oh, the balancing act!
So, yes, I also think it all counts.
Thanks for the connection.
Ps- It IS Safe here.