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| Still Unfinished |
| I have been frustrated for years about not having enough time. I blame my husband who wants to bike, hike, paddle and play music. I blame having a Christmas card business that I need to spend much of my creative time on. When I finally get the cards designed, I don't feel there is time for all the art I want to make because it's time to sell the cards. I blame myself for taking on too many commitments, hobbies and for being downright lazy. When one of my artist friends, Barb, told me her story about setting aside one afternoon as "Studio Time" (capitalization is on purpose), she said she had been very productive that year. She said she kept it holy: no dr apts, lunch dates, no phone calls. Well, I can't do the "no phone calls," but I can set aside the time. Even in the busy time, I can make sure my work is caught up to free up this time. I make time to practice my guitar, exercise, walk Annie, but I never make time for the studio. If you put it into numbers, one year, 52 weeks, even just 3 hours a week is 156 hours. That is 156 hours I am not finding now. |
Two weeks I began "Studio Time." I started a painting that has been in my mind for 4-5 years. What I found interesting was that I always thought if I only had a block of time, I would go to the studio and work solidly for that time. Not so, I watched myself. First, I had to get out the canvas, paints, brushes, water, then make a cup of tea. Then, walk outside for a moment. Back to the blank canvas...now I needed the pumpkin I bought for a drawing reference. Then, where is my charcoal for the sketch. Sketch, sketch...oops! back to the office to the computer to print out the photos of the squash bugs I had taken and then back again for pictures of pumpkin leaves. Sketch done, I stretched, looked around and saw dust. So, I dusted the house and then of course ran the vacuum over the carpet. (We were having friends for dinner that night, so this was necessary, right?) Back to the canvas to mix paint. Hallelujah! I have a tube of orange so I don't have to mix it! Lee comes home, so I take a moment to visit with him. Then, it was 5:00 p.m. and I needed to practice my guitar.
Week two, back in the Studio. This time I had purpose; I went right to work on the painting. This week I managed 2 1/2 hours. But, I have the painting the stage where I need to look at it for a while. Next week I'll have an idea of how to finish it. And, then it will be hung above the fireplace, photographed to become a card and on to the next project.
So far I've had 5 1/2 hours I wouldn't have had before. I have the time set aside next week and the next week and the next week. I could even take this on our winter vacation with me. The possibilities are endless!
