Yesterday was pretty heavy on the artist angst. So I wanted to lighten the mood....
Hehehe. Hope you got a giggle out of this like I did. Bravo to this artist.
Peace, y'all.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Courage.
It takes courage to be an artist. I can't even begin to tell you the number of times I put off buying art supplies in the name of managing our family's finances. It is difficult doing so knowing that you don't have a steady income, you need to spend $150 on paint/supplies, and you are already on one paycheck to make everything work.
It is the worst feeling thinking that you are inhibiting your spouse in anyway because of your profession. Knowing that money could go to groceries, or that those paints could put you into debt? Its terrifying.
I'm lucky to say that I have an incredible supportive spouse who wants me to work, and knows that I have a healthy and positive state of mind when I have worked in my studio. Even if its for 30 minutes to an hour. I know others are not so lucky, and some are even on their own moonlighting after working their tail off at a 9-5 job.
Believe me, I've thought about getting a job. But I know I am not as strong as others. I know that if I get a 9-5 I will become complacent in my studio and it will go untouched for months at a stretch. Which would be detrimental. I would tear myself down for not being a committed artist. Ive experienced it. Its a downward spiral.
Sacrificing my own well being for money? Is that worth the trade off?
Actually I experienced it today. So, I made an order of paint, paint thinner, brushes, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing exotic. However, I felt a huge wave of guilt after I pressed the 'order' button. A good friend of mine told me once "Money is only a tool."
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to go into debt. Be thrifty. Coupon codes are awesome.
On the matter of Courage...
When I was studying abroad in Cortona, Italy, I had a wonderful teacher who tried reaching out to me. I was going through a rough time artistically, and felt as though my lot in life had no future. My painting suffered. The last time I saw Professor Howard he had a serious expression on his face. He looked me in the eye and said "Don't. Stop. Painting."
It took me a long while to realize that there was hope in that statement. That I was being told I could do this.
Being Positive is a CHOICE.
Choosing Joy is a CHOICE.
Yes, I fail in both of those categories consistently, but I want to keep trying.
I wholeheartedly believe that I have a gift that was given to me, but that doesn't make it easy.
Talent doesn't inherently mean ease. Just like hours spent polishing a piece of dirt.... its still dirt.
Taking strides and having the courage to become better. To BE BETTER than I was yesterday.
I have realized even after my short time on this earth that the more I chase after where my path is in life, where God wants me to go, the path becomes more level. I trip less, and in turn, fall less.
It just takes the courage to take those steps and fight forward.
Peace Y'all.
It is the worst feeling thinking that you are inhibiting your spouse in anyway because of your profession. Knowing that money could go to groceries, or that those paints could put you into debt? Its terrifying.
I'm lucky to say that I have an incredible supportive spouse who wants me to work, and knows that I have a healthy and positive state of mind when I have worked in my studio. Even if its for 30 minutes to an hour. I know others are not so lucky, and some are even on their own moonlighting after working their tail off at a 9-5 job.
Believe me, I've thought about getting a job. But I know I am not as strong as others. I know that if I get a 9-5 I will become complacent in my studio and it will go untouched for months at a stretch. Which would be detrimental. I would tear myself down for not being a committed artist. Ive experienced it. Its a downward spiral.
Sacrificing my own well being for money? Is that worth the trade off?
Actually I experienced it today. So, I made an order of paint, paint thinner, brushes, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing exotic. However, I felt a huge wave of guilt after I pressed the 'order' button. A good friend of mine told me once "Money is only a tool."
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to go into debt. Be thrifty. Coupon codes are awesome.
On the matter of Courage...
When I was studying abroad in Cortona, Italy, I had a wonderful teacher who tried reaching out to me. I was going through a rough time artistically, and felt as though my lot in life had no future. My painting suffered. The last time I saw Professor Howard he had a serious expression on his face. He looked me in the eye and said "Don't. Stop. Painting."
It took me a long while to realize that there was hope in that statement. That I was being told I could do this.
Being Positive is a CHOICE.
Choosing Joy is a CHOICE.
Yes, I fail in both of those categories consistently, but I want to keep trying.
Talent doesn't inherently mean ease. Just like hours spent polishing a piece of dirt.... its still dirt.
Taking strides and having the courage to become better. To BE BETTER than I was yesterday.
I have realized even after my short time on this earth that the more I chase after where my path is in life, where God wants me to go, the path becomes more level. I trip less, and in turn, fall less.
It just takes the courage to take those steps and fight forward.
Peace Y'all.
Hello!
SO. I figured why not. I know others keep up through blogs, and for a time when I lived out of the country, I updated everyone at home how I was doing with this format.
So here we are.
I named this blog the path because I knew everyone had their own journey they were making. As much as I struggle with my own, and mistakenly compare my life to theirs, I find myself my own worst enemy. So what makes one person successful?
I believe wholeheartedly it is Joy.
However finding that joy is a lot harder than one would imagine. There are those perfect days where I accomplish things that are fulfilling to my heart and to my family. More often than not I find myself degrading my own self and falling into self doubt.
For an artist this kind of cycle is crippling if not fatal to their career. How do you fight back? That is what I have been trying to discover recently, and what I want to discuss and record some thoughts here.
So here we are.
I named this blog the path because I knew everyone had their own journey they were making. As much as I struggle with my own, and mistakenly compare my life to theirs, I find myself my own worst enemy. So what makes one person successful?
I believe wholeheartedly it is Joy.
However finding that joy is a lot harder than one would imagine. There are those perfect days where I accomplish things that are fulfilling to my heart and to my family. More often than not I find myself degrading my own self and falling into self doubt.
For an artist this kind of cycle is crippling if not fatal to their career. How do you fight back? That is what I have been trying to discover recently, and what I want to discuss and record some thoughts here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)