Lisa Call

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.

Squares #4    ©2006    11" x 9"

 
Some more thoughts on the design principles from my kids’ Expeditionary Learning school and how they relate to being an artist.

[All my posts on design principles.]

Design Principle #9: Solitude and Reflection

Solitude, reflection, and silence replenish our energies and open our minds. Be sure students have time alone to explore their own thoughts, make their own connections and create their own ideas. Then give them opportunity to exchange their reflections with each other and with adults.

My kids write a lot of reflections in school. When they go camping or backpacking or on any of their expeditions a portion of the time is spent sitting alone writing about the experience. They also write reflections on their major projects each year and include them in their portfolio of work. My 15 year son considers this a minor drawback for a really awesome school. My 12 year old daughter says it’s boring.

Mom thinks is wonderful. To sit and reflect and then journal about their experiences and then to share their thoughts with their peers and others. Great way to integrate all they are learning.

Journaling

I’ve mentioned a few times that I journal each morning and each evening before bed. Although much of this writing is not directly art related it makes a big difference in how I travel through life and approach my art. If I fall out of the habit of writing things get a bit disorganized in my head and it takes only days to set things right again when I start writing.

This blog is a public version of my writing, journaling and thoughts about being an artist. It’s much more directly related to my art and in the 3+ years I’ve been writing I’ve learn tremendous amount about my art, motivation and inspiration.

Taking the time to reflect and to write the words down, on paper or blog, is one of the important ways I spend my time alone. The silence and solitude are key to finding the place where I can think, reflect and write. It’s a chance to discover what I’m passionate about, what motivates me, what feeds my soul and what I am grateful for. I understand my art, and through that myself, better each time I sit down to write.

What type of writing do you do and how does it impact your life?

Studio Newsletter

Yesterday I got serious about packing. I intend to finish the majority of it today and I’ve taken monday and tuesday off work to prepare for my move. In addition to fun things, like hanging out in the crawl space under my new house as they clean, inspect and certify the furnace, I am going to get the June addition of my studio newsletter written and emailed to subscribers.

Like last time, I’m going to make available a couple ACEOs or other small works for my subscribers (last time they sold them all within hours). I haven’t decided yet what to make but I want to spend a bit more time in my studio before saying goodbye to the space where I got my art career off the ground. The studio will be the last thing I pack.

If you missed my March newsletter you can read it here: Lisa Call Studio News.

If you aren’t a subscriber to my newsletter, sent 4 times a year, and would like to be you can sign up below:

 
I will never share or sell your email address and will only use it for the purpose stated above. All emails sent will include a link to unsubscribe should you decide you are no longer interested.

Squares #4

The artwork pictured at the top of this page was complete a few years back. I usually complete small hand stitched piece each year. Some how this was the last piece I completed. The Artful Home (ie guild.com) is having an online art sale from July 1-15 and I just uploaded this piece to be included in that sale. When they have the sale work online I’ll post a link to the 14 pieces I’m including.