Just An Odd Day
- acrylic ink in watercolor paper sketchbook – wip
Here is the thing, today is just not a day to accomplish a lot of work. It is one of those days when I feel like all I am doing is chasing my tail. The last few days have kind of been like that, I work in the studio only to emerge and find there is a great deal of other work which needs to be done. So I spend the time trying to get that all cleared up and there is work in the studio which keeps calling me! In some cases, all I want to do is paint and create, however there is this thing called life which keeps stopping me. I know to those who observe it must seem as though I have all the time in the world – at least they approach me in that way – yet, I am never fully realizing anything in their views. How does one express to those who do not live this life how consuming it can be? Maybe this cannot be expressed in a way they can hear it, so it is best not to go down that path. How do I stop going in circles today and start making a web of this thing? Maybe I just have to get through this particular day. My experience tells me it doesn’t last long! Do you have these days?
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Here is the thing, today is just not a day to accomplish a lot of work. It is one of those days when I feel like all I am doing is chasing my tail. The last few days have kind of been like that, I work in the studio only to emerge and find there is a great deal of other work which needs to be done. So I spend the time trying to get that all cleared up and there is work in the studio which keeps calling me! In some cases, all I want to do is paint and create, however there is this thing called life which keeps stopping me. I know to those who observe it must seem as though I have all the time in the world – at least they approach me in that way – yet, I am never fully realizing anything in their views. How does one express to those who do not live this life how consuming it can be? Maybe this cannot be expressed in a way they can hear it, so it is best not to go down that path. How do I stop going in circles today and start making a web of this thing? Maybe I just have to get through this particular day. My experience tells me it doesn’t last long! Do you have these days?
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There are 6 Comments to "Just An Odd Day"
Yes, yes and yes! I have those days, and plenty of them! There’s so much going on in life it’s hard to keep up with it. Even if you’re not an artist, there’s not enough time in the day. Then try to add artwork… and blogs, and websites and everything else! Really, it’s amazing that we’re able to do it at all! When the laundry and the dishes and the groceries and housework and cooking is getting me down, I remind myself that tomorrow is a new day. Whatever I get done today is one less thing to do the next, which means extra time in the studio.
I find that during the day when I’m at work, I dream about the studio. As soon as I get home, I there’s so many other things to do before bed I’m lucky to get in there at all!
One thing I still need to work on is eliminating time wasters. It’s a form of escapism; I’m more likely to get lost in a book for an hour when I have a lot to do! TV and Twitter can suck me in even though I have paintings to work on.
A lot of times, I have to remind myself that I can’t do everything, and I don’t have to do it RIGHT NOW! I feel a lot of pressure to do everything as soon as possible.
Anyways, the point of this ramble is that you should congratulate yourself on the things that you have accomplished and start fesh tomorrow!
Take care, Kim!!
Miranda, you are so right! When you do stop to contemplate it the truth is it is amazing we get it all done! I said to my husband last night that it sure isn’t easy being a one woman band (this is a man who has a large corporation behind him – although that isn’t a piece of cake, either).
Dreaming about the studio is quite the past time, isn’t it? Well, I am not a big TV watcher, but I can get sucked into a good book. I tell myself as artists we have to do these things. I also am a contemplator in that I find it useful to stare at works as I am working on them. So sometimes it appears I am doing nothing when I really am.
In many cases, I think during these times I get caught up in some of the things others think I “should” be doing rather than what I “need” to be doing. I also am easily side-tracked by somehting someone said – depending on the person, that can close me down, too. It usually doesn’t take me long to get out of it, but my sensitivity gets me in trouble!
You are right, too, I have to remind myself I do not have to do it ALL, no matter what anyone else thinks or expects – including me!
Okay, this is a good point, focus on what does happen rather than what does not! Now, there is something I can grab onto!
Thanks Miranda, I appreciate this!
Have a Great Weekend!
This brings to mind something I used to say to myself when I was doing a lot of writing. Part of my thinking process around a piece was often to go outside and lie on the lawnchair in the hot sun and either daydream or read, with a notebook beside me. I hated to mow my lawn so often my grass was a bit long but still, was I mowing? No, I was just lying about on my lawn chair. Even though no one actually said to me how lazy can you be when your lawn needs mowing, I, as an imaginative person, imagined them thinking this about me. But actually, to my mind, I was WORKING. He he.
The truth is each persons life is full of tasks, though they may be different tasks for each person and to judge someone from the outside as to whether they have it easy or hard or are lazy or workaholics or are or are not accomplishing something etc etc is always an inaccurate judgement. Take a walk in my shoes. Of course, to do that, one has to have imagination. I know it is hard for some folks.
Kim, you paint so many beautiful paintings, write such lovely blog posts, are a wife and mother and daughter. You have accomplished so much!! I am glad to know you.
Dear Kim, you are expressing what all women artists struggle with. We really do multi-task and do not have enough hours in the day to complete what we need to do. We wear many “hats” and as sensitive people, don’t want to let others down and be so self-centred as to prioritize our time spent in the studio. If we were thick-skinned people, we wouldn’t care about those around us and how we are neglecting them with our passion for painting. Creating art is by necessity a solitary occupation. I have many relatives coming to Cape Town in January and February and I am already wondering how I am going to be able to paint during this time. Hugs x x
Oh Suki, your comment brought tears to my eyes. You understand perfectly and remind me how important it is to remain true to myself no matter what others think – because it is only their thoughts not their knowing! You are such a special friend, Suki and know the perfect words when they are needed. It is indeed an honor for me to call you my friend! Thank you so very much!
Dianne, you are right, this is a part of being a creative woman! That sensitive part gets to me every time, too. I know it is what makes me the person I am and it is what I rely on to be an artist, mother, wife, friend, etc, however it is also what creates a lot of challenges a lot of time. Okay, so even writing that makes little sense since a lot of creativity comes from dealing with challenges. I have to keep in mind these wise words you share here! Thank you, Dianne!
Oh boy, yes, you really do understand the confusion then, if you have lots of guest soon to descend upon you! I will be thinking of you and hoping you will find a way to stay connnected with your art as well as your friends and family – maybe some of them will like to see some exhibitions!
Thanks Dianne, you are such a special person!