Holding Intent - Part I
Markings #3 ©2006 74"x66"
Goals vs. Intent
In my last post I talked about setting intent and promised next to talk about how I hold that intent.
I know I have a reputation of getting lots done and when it comes to achieving goals I have some of this figured out. Although I don’t think in a healthy way. I’m great at setting goals and marching towards reaching them. Setting intent is a deeper practice and something I just started working on. I want to focus on intent with these posts but I’ll talk about goals also.
Unrealistic Goals
I have set an intent to have tremendous joy in my studio this year. I’m changing how I approach my studio time to honor the intent and to be an artist in a more healthy and positive way. It’s been an interesting process of learning to let go of the pressure to be in my studio but also getting things done. I’m only just beginning to understand how to do this.
With my solo show coming up in 4 weeks I panicked last week and made an insane schedule for my studio. A year ago I wouldn’t have thought it crazy. Just challenging. I spent the long weekend freaking out and doing just about anything other than studio work. I uploaded dozens of pictures to smugmug, I sorted through stuff in my basement to get rid of, I started reorganizing my studio, I photographed artwork, I cooked some yummy soup, etc.
I also saw myself falling back on patterns that don’t serve me. I didn’t go hiking and didn’t even get out for a walk as I promised myself, telling myself I didn’t have time. I ate junkier food. I surfed around the internet doing nothing.
I suspect I was rebelling against the ridiculous idea that I needed to make 8 new pieces in 4 weeks. Sure I could do it because it was a goal - I’m good and marching towards goals while letting the rest of my life become a wreck but it went completely against my intent for joy in the studio.
Realistic Goals
So I’ve shredded the schedule and decided I don’t need any more new work at all for my 2 solo shows. I have tons of excellent work that will make awesome exhibits. I started my Markings Series 2 years ago for exactly this show - I’ve got 19 completed pieces and room to hang only 12-15 of them. Of these 19 pieces only 2 have ever been in shows and most I’ve never even posted on the internet. Why would I need more? I don’t!
I have to give thanks to Christine Kane for helping with this realization. I recognized the unhealthy behavior (the first step in realizing I’m not holding my intent) and knew I needed to do something different. With her prodding I was able to take the necessary steps to dump the unhealthy behavior. I can’t recommend Christine’s eseminars enough for this type of self understanding.
Alignment
I’m back to my studio this week and loving it. I’m creating because I want to create not because I have to. One of the things I most love is making art, but the last year or two I’ve made it unfun in many ways. I’m now ready to embrace the joy again.
The goals I set need to be in alignment to my deeper intent. Then I know I can achieve both.
Materials Hard and Soft
The above piece is part of Materials Hard & Soft at the center for visual arts in Denton, Texas, which opens this weekend. Another of the juried shows I entered last fall. The runs through March 20, 2008.
Deanna Wood sent me an email the other day saying she had seen some of the show as they were hanging it and it looked great and my piece was up and looked nice. Yay - thanks for the note Deanna!
Center for Visual Arts
400 East Hickory St.
Denton, Texas 76201
Phone: 940-382-2787
Open 1-5pm Tuesday - Sunday
www.dentonarts.com
Posted by Lisa in: Intent
Tagged: Art Exhibits, Christine Kane, Intent, Markings Series
Susie Monday said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:18 am
Lisa, this sounds so healthy and wise. Although I have looked at awe at your goals and work process, I know that it must have had a price –this is a wonderful and timely reminder as I work towards a couple of exhibits and a sale. Thanks,
Kim said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:59 am
Congratulations! You have done well with re-evaluating your goals. Your work is beautiful and setting realistic goals will keep all the things important to you obtainable.
I will be eager to see the results of these changes.
Lisa Call said,
January 24, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
Susie - thank you. Congratulations on your sale and exhibits!
Kim - Thanks for the affirmation! Very much appreciated.
PaMdora said,
January 24, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
Lisa, that’s really a gorgeous piece!
Deidre said,
January 25, 2008 @ 7:43 am
Wow. For some reason, even though I know you have many excellent pieces in your inventory that I’ve not seen, I didn’t question it at all when you said you had to make a bunch more for the show. The realization that you’ve already accomplished this huge task must be incredibly freeing. I’ve found this and the previous post really inspiring. I use my drive time to listen to political radio and I end up being rather fired up and angry/sad by the time I get to my destination. Definitely not a productive state of mind!
Tracy said,
January 25, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
My goodness, how eye opening! I see shades of myself and my own bad behaviors. This’ll take re-assessment for me.
Congrats on the realignment; thank you for the lesson!
Diane Clancy said,
January 26, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Hi Lisa,
This is a very useful and informative post!! Thank you so much for sharing your process.
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog
melissa lanitis gregory said,
February 17, 2008 @ 9:36 am
Lisa,
I would echo Diane’s comment. Somebody recently gave me Wayne Dyer’s CD “Living with Intention” and I have been listening to it while working in the studio. I’m trying to incorporate his ideas of what “intention” is, but I see myself doing the same destructive things, going against my greater intent, which makes everything feel difficult. Thank you so much for the reminder to watch my behaviors.