Where Am I?
The Past
I used to put in 20 hours a week in my studio. Always. Every single week I’d prioritize the creation of art and I would make sure I found the time to make art.
Then I decided I needed to change my life. I wasn’t happy, things weren’t working. I was letting things into my life that I didn’t absolutely love. I wasn’t making choices, I was just letting life happen.
So I took some time to discover what I really wanted. The first step in this process was to eliminate things from my life that weren’t working. The boyfriend, the clutter in the house and eventually the house.
This lead to the remodel project, which I’ve been writing about weekly since last August. Wow. I contacted the contractor in July – we started the design in August. That is 10 months of construction on my brain.
The house has been 99% done since the end of March but I needed April and May to settle in, get the punch list finished and write about the process.
The Present
So now – here I am – where am I? I certainly have changed my life. I love living in Denver vs. the suburbs. I love living my life with intention. I love my new home and new studio.
The turmoil is over and when I look back it’s been 2 1/2 years since I’ve been at this place (the year prior to my move my father was ill and passed away, as did 3 other close family members) with no big things to distract me.
This is a very exciting and scary place to be. I know myself. I know this is the time when historically I am very likely to create yet another diversion to keep me from having to answer that scary question:
"What Do I Want?"
It’s good to know this – to have the awareness. Because this time, I’m not going to do it. No boyfriends, no more moving, no more building. This is it. Just me and my dreams. Time to create them.
The Plan
I’ve been working on answering that question last 4 months. Thinking about what I love doing. Writing, reading, thinking big.
I’ve made tons of notes on scraps of paper it’s been fun to hint around at the answer to the question. Wonderful fun ideas coming up daily.
This dreaming part, which is wonderful and fun and vitally important, is now ready to take a more definite shape. I have a good idea of what I want, now time to make it concrete.
I’m ready to move from dream to plan so for that to happen I am putting the following task on my todo list daily:
- Planning – 30 minutes or more
I’m taking all those wonderful ideas and pulling them together into a cohesive plan that I can take action on. Priorities and systems and schedules.
And all of this is very fun, but it’s also pretty scary. Cause it’s a lot of work. Because all the big dreams that my right brain came up with, my left brain is saying "You are going to do WHAT? Do you know how much work that is? Do you even know how to do that? "
So I think those thoughts and still I move ahead, cause in addition to distractions I’m not letting fear stop me either. I just think about the next 30 minute planning session and I am making steady progress forward – turning the dream into reality.
And, because first and foremost I’m an artist and love creating art, the other thing on my daily todo list is:
- Create Art – 1 hour or more
I am committing to returning to 15 hours (or more) of studio time every week. I debated going back to 20 but decided I’m doing more art business work so I’ll stick with 15 for now.
I’ll let you all know how things progress.
Studio Posts
I’m not quite done with my posts on building a studio. Next up will be a post on my studio storage.
Tomorrow I plan to catch up on all the blog comments I’ve failed to respond to the last few weeks and see if there are other studio topics I need to cover based on the questions.
Once that is done I’ll need to think up another theme for my blog posts for June. Hm. Somewhere I had a list…
Posted by Lisa in: art business
Tagged: art business, artist, Focus, Intent, moving, planning, Priorities, remodel, Studio Time
Lisa there must be something in the air right now about this. I too have been preparing to plunge. And also have the thought “I can’t do THAT! THAT is impossible!” – and yet there is no impossible, only the unwillingness or excuses (fear) to move forward. So bravo for you! I love your studio and am GREEN with envy. :) (also got my fabric – thanks!)
Lisa,
I tend to let my left brain doubt when I’m tired or feeling insecure. That’s when I say to myself, “Right now is not a good time to consider or review my plans; I’ll think about these things when I have more energy and vision.”
This shuts my left brain up (for a while), and I refuse to listen to it. Then the next morning – when my right creative side is feeling victorious, I then ask my left brain to help in organizing the plan – because “we’re going forward with it”.
Of course, your brain might work completely differently than mine, but thought I’d write this anyway… just in case it might be helpful.
The new studio and remodel look great and WOW – you’ve made a lot of changes in the past couple of years.
You’ve written a bit of a teaser – what will she do? I have a feeling that the way you are approaching your studio time and intentions is healthier than trying to force 20 hours no excuses approach.
I could use some of your discipline myself though – I’m in a bit of a transition state myself.
I hope you’re going to continue to have time for this blog — or develop another way to communicate that I can access — because you inspire me! First, your commitment to follow-through, second your beautiful beautiful art work, and third, your willingness to communicate about your process. Thank you so much!
I posed a question within the last couple of weeks about what material you use for design walls and then found the answer by searching your past articles.
Also, wanted to let you know I received the fabric — thanks so much.
Sandy
I did a similar schedule for myself last year, but as plans shifted and workloads changed, my schedule disintigrated. And making art everyday was one of the first casualties. I think I’ll follow your lead though, and bring back a daily schedule.
I know I need to give myself some time first thing in the AM to sort through new emails and review my schedule so I feel in charge of my day. But after that I’m going to try to dedicate at least an hour to making new art. It make get tough to maintain as my schedule gets busy in the summer, but I’m willing to try it out!
So great to read your update ! I am coming to the same conclusion that a regular ( preferably daily) amount of time is needed for the creative part. I don’t track my time as well as you do, but you inspire me to keep a better track of just how much time I spend on marketing etc and how much on photography / creation.
Best wishes,
Rhiannon
Cheryl – bravo for you to – keep moving forward
Lori – I used to do that – think I should stop and wait. Now i just ignore the voice and keep going.
Cynthia – something BIG :) And thanks on the house – love love the new house. Your transition is pretty big – back to school – that’s BIG also.
Sandy – yep – absolutely will have time for the blog – I love writing it. And I’m always happy to hear I have helped people.
Daniel – Good for you for committing back to making new art every day.
Rhiannon – I think schedule helps creativity. I’ve written about tracking my time in my studio before but I think I’ll write about it again in the next post.
Lisa
I too hope you will always have time for this blog! I many ways you are an inspiration to crafters like myself who shy away from calling themselves an artist. Thanks for sharing so much with us. Looking forward to see your new art. Though I look at your work again and again and enjoy the colors and line and texture.
Wonderful to mark these milestones. So happy the studio is almost done and the house project, too. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next Lisa. You are a great inspiration to my work, as different as our approaches and techniques are!
This is a great post! I really admire your dedication and continuing efforts to move forward with your art. I also appreciate you sharing. I linked to this post from my blog this week.
Jaye
PS I am trying to encourage creativity by post a creative prompt every Friday. The most recent one is at: http://artquiltmaker.com/blog/2009/05/creative-prompt-14-queen/
Jaye – your creative prompts are great. And thanks for the link!
Susie – thank you – your successes have been an inspiration for me also.
Laetitia – crafters are super wonderful people. Doesn’t matter what we call ourselves! Glad you enjoy my writing. :)