Comments on: More on Sacrifice http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html Images and writing about my abstract contemporary textile art by Lisa Call. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:52:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Melissa Lanitis Gregory http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12784 Melissa Lanitis Gregory Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:07:51 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12784 This is a great discussion. I agree with Lee; the word "sacrifice" is negatively charged for me. I feel more comfortable with different wording, and the idea of intergrating, instead of separating. It's not so black and white for me (ie: to work outside the home or not), so it feels more like I'm looking for balance on a daily basis: balancing my family, (we homeschool) and my art: the two most important things. I just found your blog; this is the first post I have read. You seem extraordinarily focused...and I admire that you are doing all this AND raising your kids. And I like that you brought this up; it has me thinking. But everyone will have their different way of seeing this, whether it's a "sacrifice" or simply balancing our lives... and whether it's art or something else... It's really just what works for us, isn't it? This is a great discussion. I agree with Lee; the word “sacrifice” is negatively charged for me. I feel more comfortable with different wording, and the idea of intergrating, instead of separating. It’s not so black and white for me (ie: to work outside the home or not), so it feels more like I’m looking for balance on a daily basis: balancing my family, (we homeschool) and my art: the two most important things.

I just found your blog; this is the first post I have read. You seem extraordinarily focused…and I admire that you are doing all this AND raising your kids. And I like that you brought this up; it has me thinking. But everyone will have their different way of seeing this, whether it’s a “sacrifice” or simply balancing our lives… and whether it’s art or something else…
It’s really just what works for us, isn’t it?

]]> By: Susie Monday http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12778 Susie Monday Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:32:41 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12778 Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson is one of my touchstones for this subject -- while the author has a few missteps in her telling, this story of 4 interesting and accomplished women and the way their lives unfold is one of those books that had a profound impact on the way I think about my "different lives." Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson is one of my touchstones for this subject — while the author has a few missteps in her telling, this story of 4 interesting and accomplished women and the way their lives unfold is one of those books that had a profound impact on the way I think about my “different lives.”

]]> By: Jane Carlstrom http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12775 Jane Carlstrom Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:28:41 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12775 Lisa, such a pleasure to read your blog. Interesting art and thought provoking concerns. Some years ago a book with the main premise "You Can Have Anything You Want- but not everything you want." It was extremely good content. It addressed some of the same ideas you are contemplating. Thanks for reminding me. It is easy to start running around in circles on tangents and loose sight of focus and direction. Am off to put a link to your blog on mine as it will help me to visit you more often. Hugs, Jane Lisa, such a pleasure to read your blog. Interesting art and thought provoking concerns. Some years ago a book with the main premise “You Can Have Anything You Want- but not everything you want.” It was extremely good content. It addressed some of the same ideas you are contemplating. Thanks for reminding me. It is easy to start running around in circles on tangents and loose sight of focus and direction. Am off to put a link to your blog on mine as it will help me to visit you more often. Hugs, Jane

]]> By: becky nielsen http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12751 becky nielsen Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:25:44 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12751 Such a provocative dialogue. Having just begun one of Alyson Stanfield's marketing salons with a couple of other artists, there is good grist here - I am very appreciative of Lisa's willingness to put things like this out there and to others for their thoughtful and often helpful responses. You are right to realize that something will always come up! At 62 I would have thought that I would have a lot of time to myself to work on my art - kids grown, semi retired. But a new grandson a couple of years ago, and the choice of having him go to day care full time or caring for him myself a few days a week changed my direction. It is a sacrifice, and one I'm very happy making. For other people it could be an illness in the family, a change in jobs, who knows? One of the things I recognize is that the things I've done and the choices I've made become part of my art. For example for years as a physical therapist I've drawn little figures for my patients to illustrate their exercises. I find that this practice and my knowledge of body structure gives my portrayal of people in postures and motions a particular style. Seeing the world through the eyes of toddlers and children is always a refreshing exercise. I found Christine Kane's suggestion in her blog about "segment intending" very helpful - and for me it is the attending we do to the various elements of our lives that distinguishes sacrifice from prioritizing. I can understand that "sacrifice" has negative connotations for some people - but it is a word that I like. I really do like this linear subtle work - I didn't notice until someone pointed it out that the stitching was what was making the color differences - beautiful and moving. How is it that something so abstract affects emotion? Such a provocative dialogue. Having just begun one of Alyson Stanfield’s marketing salons with a couple of other artists, there is good grist here - I am very appreciative of Lisa’s willingness to put things like this out there and to others for their thoughtful and often helpful responses.

You are right to realize that something will always come up! At 62 I would have thought that I would have a lot of time to myself to work on my art - kids grown, semi retired. But a new grandson a couple of years ago, and the choice of having him go to day care full time or caring for him myself a few days a week changed my direction. It is a sacrifice, and one I’m very happy making. For other people it could be an illness in the family, a change in jobs, who knows?

One of the things I recognize is that the things I’ve done and the choices I’ve made become part of my art. For example for years as a physical therapist I’ve drawn little figures for my patients to illustrate their exercises. I find that this practice and my knowledge of body structure gives my portrayal of people in postures and motions a particular style. Seeing the world through the eyes of toddlers and children is always a refreshing exercise.

I found Christine Kane’s suggestion in her blog about “segment intending” very helpful - and for me it is the attending we do to the various elements of our lives that distinguishes sacrifice from prioritizing. I can understand that “sacrifice” has negative connotations for some people - but it is a word that I like.

I really do like this linear subtle work - I didn’t notice until someone pointed it out that the stitching was what was making the color differences - beautiful and moving. How is it that something so abstract affects emotion?

]]> By: cynthia http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12749 cynthia Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:45:19 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12749 Someone recently asked me what I called myself - ceramic artist, potter or just artist. I stumbled, because what I do for a living (and sanity) is only one part of who I am. I'm a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, artist, potter, ceramic artist, student, painter, pta member, volunteer etc. etc. etc. We wear so many hats in our lifetime that have no clear delineating lines or perscribed working hours. Many overlap, recede, disappear only to emerge again at a later date. Sometimes it's good to just surrender to the moment and let it be what it is. It sounds like you have a plan and are doing what you need to do right now! Someone recently asked me what I called myself - ceramic artist, potter or just artist. I stumbled, because what I do for a living (and sanity) is only one part of who I am.

I’m a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, cousin, artist, potter, ceramic artist, student, painter, pta member, volunteer etc. etc. etc.

We wear so many hats in our lifetime that have no clear delineating lines or perscribed working hours. Many overlap, recede, disappear only to emerge again at a later date.

Sometimes it’s good to just surrender to the moment and let it be what it is. It sounds like you have a plan and are doing what you need to do right now!

]]> By: John Morris http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12748 John Morris Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:46:22 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12748 I think I really like that work. Sorry, for not following what you are talking about. Men like eye candy. I think I really like that work. Sorry, for not following what you are talking about. Men like eye candy.

]]> By: Lee http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12747 Lee Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:13:19 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12747 The trouble with the word sacrifice is that it carries a fair amount of baggage. Not to negate the thinking you have done, but when I replace it with choice, or even surrender, I find it easier to think about, personally. I surrender time with the art for time with the kids. I choose time with the kids over paid work, and accept the financial support of my spouse. It is all a balancing act. Everyone balances different parts of their lives, they simply speak of it more or less emotionally charged terms. What will you sacrifice for your art? is an emotionally charged question, and makes certain assumptions about how you are living your life. How have you integrated your need to make art with your need to live life/earn a living/care for your family - that is a question I find much easier to contemplate. And answer! The trouble with the word sacrifice is that it carries a fair amount of baggage. Not to negate the thinking you have done, but when I replace it with choice, or even surrender, I find it easier to think about, personally.

I surrender time with the art for time with the kids. I choose time with the kids over paid work, and accept the financial support of my spouse. It is all a balancing act. Everyone balances different parts of their lives, they simply speak of it more or less emotionally charged terms.

What will you sacrifice for your art? is an emotionally charged question, and makes certain assumptions about how you are living your life. How have you integrated your need to make art with your need to live life/earn a living/care for your family - that is a question I find much easier to contemplate. And answer!

]]> By: jafabrit http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12745 jafabrit Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:00:05 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12745 Just wanted to say I have enjoyed your very thoughtful blog entries. You bring up so many questions to ponder. Just wanted to say I have enjoyed your very thoughtful blog entries. You bring up so many questions to ponder.

]]> By: Diane Clancy http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12742 Diane Clancy Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:36:09 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12742 I particularly like the close-up! I like that you are also fitting in things besides sequencing. You are not waiting until the deck is totally clear to quilt. You are amazing in how much you accomplish. I now do my paid work (things I enjoy but still take my time from creating) and also do my art work. I think it is great that you are able to have a job with good pay that sets you up well. You are sequencing but also time sharing at the same time. I have seen people wait to start things until the time is right. You don't do that - you work now and know you can change priorities at another time. I respect that you do this and I respect that you share your process. ~ Diane Clancy www.dianeclancy.com/blog I particularly like the close-up!

I like that you are also fitting in things besides sequencing. You are not waiting until the deck is totally clear to quilt. You are amazing in how much you accomplish.

I now do my paid work (things I enjoy but still take my time from creating) and also do my art work. I think it is great that you are able to have a job with good pay that sets you up well.

You are sequencing but also time sharing at the same time. I have seen people wait to start things until the time is right. You don’t do that - you work now and know you can change priorities at another time. I respect that you do this and I respect that you share your process.

~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog

]]> By: Patty Altier http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12738 Patty Altier Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:48:51 +0000 http://blog.lisacall.com/2007/07/more-on-sacrifice.html#comment-12738 I don't know how the pieces are related (maybe the yellow lines?), but now that the tour (Tour de France) is in the south of France, these pieces remind of the narrow roads, the farms and their fields. I don’t know how the pieces are related (maybe the yellow lines?), but now that the tour (Tour de France) is in the south of France, these pieces remind of the narrow roads, the farms and their fields.

]]>