Lisa Call

Postponed

As hopefully everyone that was planning on attending the show knows, my opening reception has been postponed until next week.

The reception is now Sunday February 28, 2010 from 1-4pm with my artist talk at 2pm.

Working with No Deadline

As a result of the postponement I’m having a relaxing day working in my office and studio without feeling any pressure of a deadline. It’s really quite nice.

And I’m getting a lot done, tidying up loose ends from the show, getting things scheduled for the future, dealing with things I’ve put off for much to long, etc.

I definitely prefer working this way – without a deadline. Without the pressure of having to get things done. And usually I’m good at working this way. I don’t procrastinate too much.

I think I procrastinate less. I set aside my work time and I just work with no temptation to sneak off and read blogs or watch Bones on hulu. When I’m under pressure I find I’m much more likely to do such things.

Maybe an act of self-sabotage? Since I’m already under pressure why not make it worse? It’s a game of sorts – to see just how close to the wire I can push things.

Basically it’s silly. But it is a recurring habit that I recognize that I have.

So I’m very happy to be deadline free at the moment as I really don’t enjoy that kind of stress.

Photos

Two of the items I’m dealing with today required photographs of me. I’m generally not fond of such things so I avoid these types of requests.

Fortunately last year my coach forced us all to get professional photos taken. I got mine back from the photographer in april 2009 and stashed the CD in a drawer and ignored it.

Today I pulled it out and was happy to note that they were actually much better than I remember. Big relief. I’m even putting it here on my blog, a rare thing to put a photo of myself anywhere, as long as I have it out and dusted off.

Next Up

Now that my deadline has passed what’s next for me?

On the blog front I am planning on writing the articles I missed on preparing for an exhibit as I have much more to say on the topic.

In the studio I’m going to be quilting some large pieces to enter into Quilt National and also making some smaller companion pieces to go with the work in my Dwellings exhibit.

On the art business front it’s time to get busy on constructing the foundations of the business. Getting all my paperwork up to date and clarifying the systems that keep my business running smoothly.

I also plan on focusing on makebigart. I’ll be giving a talk in April in Denver titled “Time Management: The artist and the internet” as a start on that project. (more details to come)

I have to say I’m feeling much excitement for 2010 – it’s going to be a fabulous year!

Upcoming Solo Exhibit

This article is part of a series of posts on the preparation for my upcoming solo exhibit, Dwelling, at Macky Gallery, Feb 17-March 17 with an opening reception Sunday, Feb 21 from 1-4 and artist talk at 2pm.

To see photos of the artwork for the exhibit as I’m creating it, check out my page on facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaCallFineArt.

The Pattern

Last thursday I woke up not feeling so well and after an hour in the studio decided going back to bed was the best option for the day.

I was better on friday although I didn’t work in the studio I did show up for the day job (virtually as working from home is a wonderful option).

I took it easy on the weekend and this week all was better.

Last week, the middle week of a 7 week plan to create all new artwork for my solo show, I had planned to put in 39 hours in the studio (based on my detailed plan). I ended up only getting in 23.

And it turns out the previous 3 weeks I was behind schedule also. So yesterday I sat down and replanned the remaining 3 weeks of time and am fired up to get everything finished. I have to put in a bunch of hours over the next 3 weeks to make my goal but it’s still doable.

This is pretty much my pattern. About half way through a project I tend to need a break so figured it would happen. Taking a break is good and it was fun to hang out and watch a bunch of mindless shows on my laptop (mostly the TV show Bones).

And while it’s a stretch, I’ll still get everything done one time, which means back to the studio for me for the rest of the evening.