Is it safe and logical to assume that if I give more aim to my focus - onto what really matters: my family and my art - that the things that don't matter will just fade away? I'm hoping so, I think. ~ I get nervous that some important things will be tempted to lose importance, but I am holding firm that if I consistently stay focused on what matters....
For years I've been obsessed with letting go - letting go of what doesn't matter, letting go of time and energy suckers, letting go of extra items - I may be going about it all wrong - if I instead focus on what I DO want, the time and energy suckers may just evaporate.
I DO want to paint and I DO want to make my children feel like they are the most amazing little creatures on the face of the planet (because they are).
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 27, 2009
With This Blog...
I realize that the production and publication of this blog is going to focus me - it seems obvious that it is also going to add one more "thing" for me to do each day or many times per week - but I'm hoping that as I press in something that I know is important (this) then something that is not important will automatically pop out of my life and dissappear - I picture hard-boiled eggs crammed into a bowl :) when too many try to share the same space, one is going to roll away!
This may be a way for me to naturally discover what unimportant daily calendar item is taking up time and space in my life - without me having to rack my brain over what it might be.
This may be a way for me to naturally discover what unimportant daily calendar item is taking up time and space in my life - without me having to rack my brain over what it might be.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Nurturing New Relationships
I recently met a woman over the phone who generously and spontaneously called to tell me her fondness for my work - it was wonderful visiting with her and she shared her interest in purchasing several originals. She carefully chose the titles that best suited her and we made plans to talk in a couple days.
The "old" me would have considered those pieces "sold" and began celebrating (only to be let down, annoyed and confused later), but the more experienced me (I learn something new every day about the business of art and business in general) appreciated the time she took to call and chat, contemplated how friendly she was and wondered why more people didn't just pick up the phone when they wanted to send a message!
We spoke again and she indeed was still in love with several pieces and chose to purchase several prints while saving up for the originals. I thanked her for her generous order and we vowed to keep in touch. I really like her and I feel so blessed to have begun this relationship.
My point here is to sort of congratulate myself for, but also share the value in, not counting one's chickens before they hatch, and with art - it is all about relationships.
I realize that I have been that excited person on the other end of the line a few times, eager to get those hardwood floors in (half a year ago) and deeply interested in a local artist's sculpture for my bedroom wall ~ I was genuine, but things change, values change and although I still adore both the sculpture and the floors, the time just isn't right.
The "old" me would have considered those pieces "sold" and began celebrating (only to be let down, annoyed and confused later), but the more experienced me (I learn something new every day about the business of art and business in general) appreciated the time she took to call and chat, contemplated how friendly she was and wondered why more people didn't just pick up the phone when they wanted to send a message!
We spoke again and she indeed was still in love with several pieces and chose to purchase several prints while saving up for the originals. I thanked her for her generous order and we vowed to keep in touch. I really like her and I feel so blessed to have begun this relationship.
My point here is to sort of congratulate myself for, but also share the value in, not counting one's chickens before they hatch, and with art - it is all about relationships.
I realize that I have been that excited person on the other end of the line a few times, eager to get those hardwood floors in (half a year ago) and deeply interested in a local artist's sculpture for my bedroom wall ~ I was genuine, but things change, values change and although I still adore both the sculpture and the floors, the time just isn't right.
Time to Blog - inspired by Allison Dubois
Laying in bed at 4am after cheering up a sad little boy awakened by a bad dream ~ I'm meditating on "restful sleep" but I get this instead:
The last several nights in my studio have included the audio book Secrets of the Monarch by Allison Dubois on my ipod. She is the medium behind the tv show Medium. Wow, this book - insights and inspiration separated only by periods.
I cherish the voice and the words (even though I know it is not the author's voice) and the stories ~ I feel a connection while she is telling her personal tales, some funny, some saddening. I feel as though she is talking to me directly. My interest in Allison Dubois grows and I am already wondering if her other two books are available in audio format...
This cements for me that it is time for my blog. I knew it would come at the right time. With this blog I can engage - I can write - I can focus, draw followers and spread my message as well as my work. I must make this a priority - and I vow to take the next step toward my blog the following day (today).
The last several nights in my studio have included the audio book Secrets of the Monarch by Allison Dubois on my ipod. She is the medium behind the tv show Medium. Wow, this book - insights and inspiration separated only by periods.
I cherish the voice and the words (even though I know it is not the author's voice) and the stories ~ I feel a connection while she is telling her personal tales, some funny, some saddening. I feel as though she is talking to me directly. My interest in Allison Dubois grows and I am already wondering if her other two books are available in audio format...
This cements for me that it is time for my blog. I knew it would come at the right time. With this blog I can engage - I can write - I can focus, draw followers and spread my message as well as my work. I must make this a priority - and I vow to take the next step toward my blog the following day (today).
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