The End of Vacation

I've beat myself up a bit lately about not working enough, making enough, creating enough, doing enough.

I realize that it is hard to work and be a mama at the same time, to have a business and two little bebes that need and want you, but mostly need you to be around.

I'm blessed that my business is in my home, that I can paint and create and toil above the watchful eye of my two biggest fans.

We are coming out of a many-day vacation - one where I spent a lot of time playing Playmobil and reading stories, sleeping and eating. It was wonderful and we all enjoyed the closeness and lack of work.


I still squeezed in short painting sessions after the kids were in bed, but much less than usual.

Last night while mopping my downstairs hardwood floors on my hands and knees, I had some time to think...

...to think about what's really important ~ the things that are important to me are parenting (which includes being a wife to my wonderful husband), painting and promoting (well, you have to put the work out there or the painting doesn't help to support the parenting)


It seems easy, eh? Parenting, Painting, Promoting. Not much else really matters right now.


Parenting comes first, so each day I try to look into those little faces many times and make sure that they are happy, fed, healthy and heck - just enjoying life.


I am realizing that being Conscious and Aware does help to provide solutions.


So, we go back to work tomorrow (which means I stick work in throughout the day whenever I can) and put my mind back on track to be focused and efficient.


It's fun, or else I wouldn't do it.


I'm thankful, and I know my boys are too, that as their mama I can be around, work around, and find time, also, to just be.


Ekhart Tolle is helping me with that last one. And I do not always succeed, as a matter of fact, I'm trying to get much better.

Have a great week.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

above image: I Can See Clearly Now

Setting Boundaries - The Studio is Open... or Closed?

When we moved into our new house in late June, I was stoked that I would have a studio with, among other wonderful features, doors that close… !

I mentioned this more than once while chatting with collectors, friends and fellow artists – it seemed most people thought that my excitement about the doors stemmed from the fact that I had an urge to go inside and close the doors – sending a signal that “mommy is working, leave me be!”

It’s amazing how many times I heard that idea stated to me when I raved about my closing doors. However, the real reason I am excited about my lovely studio with closing doors is for the blessing of being able to CLOSE my office – CLOSE my studio, CLOSE my option to work!


No urge to lock others out of the studio (as a matter of fact, I love to work while my children bumble in and out), but to lock ME out of the studio!



I find one of the hardest parts of working at home is the “obviousness” of how much work needs to be done – you can never escape it. Every time you walk past your work area you are reminded of that email you need to send, that painting that needs photographing, that composition that needs ‘just a little something more’.


I have always struggled with the ability to set boundaries for myself – and I have been self-employed and working from a home office for

almost seven years.


That is seven years of work, work, work (more so, of course, before the kids were born).


“Sure I’ll make dinner, just let me quickly list this on Etsy.”

“Sure I’ll read you that book, I’m going to just real quick check my email.”

“Yes, I’m coming! I just need to upload these pages to my website!”


Now, I’m not saying that this is necessarily (always) a bad thing – I am proud of the way I am able to use my time without procrastinating or wasting much of it (see an upcoming post about Procrastination, coming soon).


BUT… My personal life does pay.


So, one of my first purchases when we moved into our new house was going to be an “OPEN/CLOSED” sign for the studio – something I could set to tell MYSELF when I could and could NOT enter the work space.


That was the real reason I was ecstatic about having a studio with doors.


Last weekend, my son and I decided to play with Sculpey (wonderful sculpting medium by the way) and I made my sign!

It was fun and he enjoyed taking photos of the process. I crafted the letters from Sculpey, baked them, painted them, mounted them to a painted board and glued on a ribbon. Simple as that.

I’m happy with my sign, and happy to say that it IS helping me to set my boundaries. If I develop a respect for this little sign from the start, then I know that I will become more disciplined, thus more efficient.


RIGHT? :)


How are you setting boundaries in your work/family life? Do your kids/husband frequently take a back seat to that juicy contact you met today? Does dinner burn while you are quickly sending a promo email (my hand is up)? Do you feel like your studio/office/craft area/workspace OWNS you?


It’s time to set some boundaries – work will always be there. I say this as a reminder to myself, as well.

Today, I closed my studio for the whole morning, which turned into the whole day! I just played with my three-year-old while his brother was at his first day of Kindergarten - until something pressing (in the studio) kept me from making dinner on-time!


Have a relaxing evening and REMEMBER! TWO NEW 8x8s are coming tomorrow morning!

Love & Sincerely,

Katie

I Can See Clearly Now - brand new painting released today

I Can See Clearly Now

completed August 20, 2009
24x30"
acrylic on canvas
$580

When I check on my boys at night – it’s all so clear to me...

Seeing them sleeping, peaceful, warm – without a worry in the world. Simple, simple being human – the way they should be. I realize the important things in life, then.

During the day, this clarity becomes cloudy as I tangle with attitudes, ask and ask again, frustrate and become frustrated and work, work, work – as a mother must do.

However, no one stated it would be easy – so as I maneuver my way through, truly, the hardest job in the world (if you are trying to do it right) I take comfort in those moments when I stop everything and grab the closest boy into a hug, a dance, a cuddle or a wrestle. I assure myself that I am doing my best to stay clear and still have something that is my own – my painting.

Glimpses come throughout the day when I can truly see what I am meant to be doing: parenting and painting – I urge them to come more often, but then again, there is always night time.

See more here

Thank you for allowing me to share this new painting with you.