Time, feeling and output…..what does this have to do with painting? A lot actually. How many times have you gone into your studio and said to yourself…”I don’t feel like painting today”. Then what do you do? Do you pop some popcorn? Go for a walk? Call a friend and chat? Do the laundry? What do you do? Why do we as artists feel we have to “feel like painting” in order to paint. Who gave us the dispensation that says you can goof off if you don’t “feel” like doing your job.
The truth is you are an artist…that is your JOB. You are blessed with that creative gene that gives you insight into a design that hasn’t been used before, a way to put color and light together that makes people stand in reverence when looking at your work. You are an artist. That “feeling” we so often refer to as essential when painting is not the essential item….it is your thought about the “feeling”. Having to be in the “feeling” is an excuse to play hooky. The truth is, it is fear that is hiding behind the word feeling. Don’t confuse these two words. They are sometimes the same and fear will rear its ugly head as many times as we allow it.
When it is time for you to go into your studio……GO! Don’t ask why or what will I paint today, or maybe even….I need to reorganize my studio……PAINT FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!
So what has brought on this ranting of time and excuses? My mentors wife, Margie, (my mentor died several years ago) is now dying . She is 93 years old. She is in hospice. I go see her almost everyday and she seldom knows I am there. She talks of events of long ago, sings opera, and laughs…..all to herself. She is a beautiful lady. Today she is still and quiet. She is withdrawing and getting ready to let go. For both of us it is a quiet time filled with memories.
Being with Margie has given me another opportunity to reevaluate my own life. I have reevaluated my life many times and I am always thankful for the opportunity as it keep me honest. I look at how I spend my time, how many excuses I make to not go into the studio……all these thoughts have hit me square in the face as I am guilty of everything I have just written about .
So what is the answer? The answer for me is to be aware. Aware of not only my thoughts about my career but about how I chose to spend my time. Our time is a commodity that has immense value….chose to spend it wisely.
The fabulous photo is by Joseph Gascho website http://www.jgascho.com