Wednesday, April 13, 2011

transitions

This is today, in the studio... We slept in, then had the maintenance man come in to fix stuff, then made lunch, then had some I-get-frustrated,-Mike-says-just-the-right-stuff-to-make-it-better time, then Mike went to school and I finally sat down to do some work. I put up some magnetic cables to hold my inspiration wire (not realizing that every one of the million exposed pipes is magnetic, duh) and got my table tidied up enough to do some work. Then, I did work, and tackled the end of a painting that had been beyond my grasp the last couple times I sat down to it.


The bad news is that I'll never be Martha Stewart, clean and organized even in the midst of creating. The good news is that I'm finally getting settled into my new studio and into a painting routine where I actually get things done instead of just making a mess, getting distracted by the cat, getting paint on the cat, checking out our neighborhood, daydreaming about possible artwork and then going back to staring at my mess.

It surprised me how much the transition from part-time to full-time artist threw me off... everything about my creative process is just a little different now that there is more time, but also more pressure, to make art. The freedom to paint in my own space at my own pace is almost overwhelming. I'm getting used to it and I know its just a matter of time before it clicks, but right now, man... what's a paintbrush?

(In spite of all that--- walking into an art studio every morning is infinitely more rewarding than walking into a cubicle in the basement of a hospital. I'm happy I took the plunge. More on that soon.)

4 comments:

  1. How exciting! I love your studio space and also, hearing about your transition. I know what you mean as far as time for creativity and the pressure, though I am not supported by my art. Thank you for sharing your transition and personal creative space! You are so inspiring to me!

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  2. Gorgeous studio Mae! And I have to agree that it's a little overwhelming to have so much time to create art...because with that comes a lot of expectations! (For me, these expectations aren't only from others, but mostly from myself. I'm such a perfectionist that it's hard for me to get anything done!)
    Can't wait to see your new pieces all finished! xo

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  3. I have to say... I simply love love LOVE the space... the gorgeous painting.. the quote.. the light.. thepaint. ♥
    thank you for the inspiration
    enjoy!

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  4. Thanks so much Mireille :) I'm glad it has inspired you!

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