One More Week
I have 1 week until I deliver the artwork for my solo exhibit. I have much much work to do in those 7 days. Fortunately 5 of those days are vacation or weekend days with no work. Starting tomorrow.
My plan was to come home from work today and jump right into my studio. But then I had a pretty crappy day.
One of the more notable events was discovering that I just mailed out 400+ postcards with a typo on them for the date of my solo show opening reception.
Big oops. I’ve now put a big banner on my website and blog to try to alert folks of the correct day – it is really SUNDAY, February 21. NOT saturday. I hope those wanting to attend figure it out and arrive on the correct day.
I also got a rejection from a show I entered and had some less than positive interactions with those I am close to and a bunch of minor stuff that usually doesn’t bother me but I’m clearly a bit touchy today.
So the result is I’m not working in my studio as I desire. I’ve now wasted 3 hours online doing absolutely nothing of value, expect feel a bit of panic over the incredible amount of work facing me in my studio. Although panic is not valuable so scratch that.
I don’t often post about the struggles of being an artist. And I suppose I don’t face as many demons in the studio as I could, and for that I am thankful. Days like today are rare.
I’m sure my lack of sleep (I’m running on 4-6 hours of sleep per night for the last 7 or 8 days) is a contributing factor. I’m definitely approaching burn out.
I knew that yesterday so I skipped my studio, took my mom out to dinner for her birthday (happy birthday mom!) and then came home and took a long hot bath and relaxed, went to bed early.
Guess that wasn’t quite enough. So I’m headed to bed early again.
I trust I will wake up refreshed and energized in the morning.
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Tagged: struggle
Lisa, Sorry to hear things a a bit crappy right now. I am sure you will pull yourself up by your bootstraps, re-evaluate what you need to get done, and dive in with full force. Try to enjoy what you are doing otherwise what would be the point of it all.
I feel for you Lisa. Camels’ backs and straws come to mind.
It will be so good when the show is up and looking fabulous, and you’re surrounded by supporters and friends who were all smart enough to check in and get the date right! (I am so sorry. That is a nasty typo. Not many art openings happen on a Sunday, but you have said SUNDAY all along so hopefully everyone will get it).
I’m so looking forward to seeing pics of the show installed. I’ve been following the construction on facebook, but that’s not the same as seeing it all come together in one place.
Good luck for the rest of the week. Good thoughts coming your way.
Nikki.
It can be so hard to be productive when things aren’t going your way, but I am always amazed at how much one can get done when faced with a deadline. I’m sure that the next couple of days will be better. Breathe in… breathe out… move on. Put on a pot of coffee, turn up the music that gets you going and get busy. I’m sure that your show will look great.
Nancy
Hang in there Lisa! You’re amazing, incredibly productive – pushing yourself to the limit constantly, and you hold yourself to the highest of standards, so sometimes you also need to give yourself a bit of a soothing break. Stay focused on the feeling you’re going to have once it’s all done, hung, and you’re surrounded by everyone at your opening. Quiet your mind and soften into that soothing soulful place where you connect with the very reasons you are doing this work – stay in that dream space till your opening day!
Thank you everyone – you are all wonderful. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and your supportive words.
Things are going much better in the studio today. Dream #40 is in the works. Hoping to get it and #41 done today.
Good idea to get more sleep Lisa, I’m always more pessimistic when don’t have enough. You will feel bettter with more, and be sure to eat good too. Good health habits are so important to artists, I don’t think people write enough about that. Hope you can focus to the essential and you will get done what you need to. You have already done a huge amount of work towards your show, so in the end, maybe only you will ever know what does or doesn’t get done. Good luck!
Hopefully things have continued to brighten for you. Seems like you had a huge monumental task to complete on not enough hours in the day. Kudos to you for all you have done!
(I like the new color scheme of your latest, too!)
Sometimes I feel like sleeping or even just ‘resting’ has negative/lazy/slacker connotations. Since then I’m starting to figure out that not just sleep, but my ‘down time’ is like fuel for me and keeps my wheels greased. Without it my engine starts sticking and sputtering. (hmmmmmm, intersting thought; I aught to post about that!)
Hang in there!