Silence
An Artful Weekend
After my post on saturday morning, I not only removed my laptop from my studio/bedroom I removed the modem and router. I decided I had to get the computer out of my studio and out of my bedroom. It was interfering with not only my art but also my sleep. The flashing lights on the router and modem don’t make for a peaceful night of sleep at all.
So I dumped it all in my living room and spent 16 glorious hours working in my studio this weekend. It was perfect. I reconnected with that right brain art making focus and completely recharged my creative batteries.
It didn’t hurt that sunday afternoon I had a yummy brunch with my super talented artist friend Julie and then spent a few hours at the Denver Art Museum surrounded by art. I didn’t feel tired at the museum at all but was exhausted when I got home so I took a nap. What a treat, to take the time to sleep during the day.
After the nap I was in the perfect inspired frame of mind and designed Structures #99 in a few hours. This is one of those pieces that just happened, no fights or struggles. It basically designed itself. I love it when this happens.
I have a few more hours of surface stitching on Structures #98 then I’ll start the construction of this new piece.
It was exactly the weekend I was hoping to have when I decided to commit the weekend to art with no distractions.
Total Silence (almost)
After unplugging the computer on saturday I thought about turning on music or listening to a book on tape but decided to have a silent day instead. Parts of my process don’t require much creative thought (the surface stitching) so it’s a rather meditative process.
With no music or noise to distract me, my mind processed a lot of stuff that has been piling up over the past few months. It was interesting to see what came up as I sat there for hours stitching lines back and forth on the surface of my textile painting.
I’m learning to allow the thoughts to just happen, observe them and just let them go without judgment. While not formal meditation, which I struggle with, it is a very healing process. It was tempting to distract myself with noise but didn’t.
The only talking I did on saturday were a couple of short phone calls with my boyfriend, Jim, who says I never mention him on my blog. So I’m now mentioning him. I’ve been told I can only say nice things, which is easy. One of the really wonderful things to have come from 9-10 months of getting clear about the life I want, was finding a very wonderful guy to hang out with and hike with. And he’s a really amazing cook.
Reconnecting
I had some art business todo’s on my list for the weekend but sunday evening rolled around and I had no desire to plug in the computer and do them. So I didn’t. It wasn’t until monday around 9am when I finally figured out where to plug everything in that I reconnected with the world. Just in time to find out I missed a meeting at work. Oh well - people should not be allowed to schedule meetings over the weekend for monday morning.
My computer now lives on my desk in my living room. I’ll have to do a lot of shuffling to do paperwork and there are electrical cords and network cables all over the place but this seems like a better solution temporary than interrupting my sleep and my art.
When the remodel is finished I’ll have a small study to put the computer. I went back and forth during the design on whether or not this was luxury or necessity. In the end I decided for my sanity, it was required and worth paying more so I can have that division of space.
Today I was going to catch up on the art business things but decided I’d prefer to make art, so that’s what I did after dinner. I plan on this desire and focus for working in the studio to stick around for a long time.
Pictures
Too many blog posts without pictures can be boring so here are a few photos from a recent hike in the Mt. Evans wilderness.
I love Colorado.
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Tagged: denver art museum, Focus, hiking, Music, silence
Dale Anne said,
September 8, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
LOVE the hiking photos……..I can see where you are getting your Structures inspiration.
And, YES, isn’t it the best to unplug…….I think I’ll be doing it more often!
Caroline Inckle said,
September 9, 2008 @ 1:54 am
Sounds like a blissful weekend Lisa,
I was laughing when you told us about you’re boyfriend being concerned about not being mentioned enough in you’re blog.
My husband is just the same, sometimes when I am typing he will come up behind me and randomly insert his name! He is so funny, but I do have to be careful to proof read if I have popped off to make a cup of tea mid post, as I will occasionally find the sentence “and Steve is brilliant” has been inserted!
A man in you’re life can be a bit like an extra kid sometimes, but you gotta love em!
Cx
natalya said,
September 9, 2008 @ 8:11 am
what a wonderful weekend! i gotta try the unplugging thing more often myself…
Tracy said,
September 10, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
I especially like the idea of keeping the TV/computer/music off for real silence. Truly being alone with your thoughts. So therapeutic!
(Mt Evans pics are great! And people wonder why we live here…..)
Wanda said,
September 10, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
I would think you would like silence since you like hiking. I think silence and a clear mind go together. The thoughts that tumble randomly in your head while walking can also occur in silence while quilting, with just the nice hum of a Pfaff to block everything else out. I watch HGTV decorating shows while piecing but have silence while quilting.
Jana Van Wyk said,
September 11, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Hi Lisa! I’m an artist — formerly an artquilter/fiber dyer ala Nancy Crow but now focusing on oil paintings — and I’m also a software engineer. I also sell handdyed yarn online but I’m phasing this out too to focus on painting.
I think I’m going to get a Dell Studio 17 as well. What upgrades did you get? From what you said I think you upgraded to ATI video card, upgrade to 4 gig mem. Did you upgrade anything else? I think I’ll get those upgrades too, as well as upgrade to LED screen. Did you upgrade the processor? I will be using the laptop like you - primarily photography/image manipulation, website mgmt, etc, no gaming
Do you think you’ll ever travel with the Studio 17 or is it too heavy for that?
I just ordered Alyson Stanfield’s book on your recommendation. I’m creating 2 series right now and in early 09 I”ll be ready to market them.
cheers, Jana
Lisa Call said,
September 11, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Dale Ann - yep - I love those logs!
Caroline - love the story about your husband! I’ll be very careful when Jim is around when I’m blogging as he thought it was a great idea.
Natalya - definitely try unplugging - it’s excellent
Tracy - I agree - silence - it can’t be beat.
Wanda - yep - I love hiking in silence - I like to hike alone also.
Lisa Call said,
September 11, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Jana - yes - I upgraded the processor (to the max speed available at the time) and the screen also. The screen is amazing - it’s like HD tv pretty. I’d definitely go for that also.
I don’t think I’ll be taking my laptop along as much as I might a smaller one. These 17″ things are pretty huge. But it might make it on a longer trip. I’m not much for taking my computer with me though, I like to use vacation as an excuse to ignore email for a while.
The work on your blog is beautiful - I subscribed and will enjoy following your career.