Giving it all up for art
Georgia O’Keeffe’s high school art teacher remembered O’Keeffe once declaring to the class:
I am going to live a different kind of life from the rest of you girls. After we are through school, I am going to give up everything for my art.
Quote from A Woman On Paper
Reminds me of my posts about sacrifice last month here and here.
I spent a lot of time in my studio last month but this month has not gone as well and I’m averaging only 16 hours a week in my studio. With one week left I’m resolving to regain my focus and get back to work. I want to end the month with 100 hours for the 5 weeks. So I’ve got to put in 30-35 hours in my studio by sunday. I don’t have my kids this coming weekend (a 3 day holiday weekend here in the US) so it shouldn’t be a problem.
I’m also going to sit down and plan out the remainder of the year for business. I said I was going to do this over my five day 4th of July holiday but as usual I shrugged off the business stuff in favor of my studio. I’m notoriously bad about justifying ignoring the business and I’ve got to stop doing this.
It isn’t okay to ignore these things anymore. My first edition of my studio newsletter is at the top of my list. I had planned to email the first one last march. Obviously I didn’t fulfill that goal and I’m feeling rather lame about it. So instead look for the first edition to be mailed out by September 5th. If you haven’t signed up yet you can do so here: My Studio Newsletter Signup Page.
Posted by Lisa in: Book Reviews and Comments, Goals
Cynthia Morris said,
August 28, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Lisa,
I think it’s a great idea to plan out the rest of your year. I’m doing that this week too, including my financial goals. I know many people do a whole year, but I find that doing it quarterly or seasonally is easier for me and other creative types.
I have found that it doesn’t take that long to work on the business vision. I have a friend who makes this kind of thing like an Artist’s Date. She takes herself out to breakfast once a week (you could do this once a quarter), enjoys a nice meal, and over leisurely coffee, checks in with herself and her goals. How civilized!
I’m all for making the business part of life enjoyable. You may do it with nice music, soft candlelight, a swing on the proch swing, or an afternoon in the park. In any case, feed your business and it will feed you back! I think you’re already doing a great job!
Cynthia
Tricia McKellar said,
August 28, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Hi Lisa! I’m looking forward to your studio newsletter– I’ve been wondering how to make my newsletter (volume 1 is not yet written) different from my blog…
Tracy Wall said,
September 1, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Lisa,
I’ve been feeling the same way about not enough time in the studio b/c of marketing, the other business, life. I like the idea of committing a certain # of hours in the studio per week/month. I’ve just started documenting hours to see where I reallly spend my time. (I never have enough!)
Cynthia,
What a great idea, the Artist Date. Just like you would have a meeting with your office manager, gallery rep, art cosultatnt, whomever; except so often we’re all the same person. It’s just making time for it.
Thank you both for the inspirations!