Having a spouse is a great wonder in life. You can tell them anything and they must listen or at least look like it. You know it really does not matter whether they are or not because if they aren’t at least you had a place to go.
Having a place to go is what we all need every day. Someone to talk to, a job to do. Isn’t it great when you realize that not only do you have a place to go but you are lucky enough to have someone who gives a rip about you.
I think about people who are widowers and wonder what kind of trauma that is. It must be like sleepwalking. Nothing would seem real for awhile but hopefully friends would move into a more important part of your life so you always have someplace to go.
Knowing When To Jump
Is the best time to jump on a train when it is standing still, or when is starts to move? You don’t really have time to wait ’til you feel unafraid. the train starts moving and you have to jump on or forget it.
When is the train starting to move in your life? Is it when you first get the idea or when opportunity strikes and you say, “Well, I could jump on now – its starting to move. But what if I fall off and can’t make it?. What if I break my leg trying to get on?”
So what, you break a leg. Next time you will have the experience of running and you will know better how hard to run and jump. You will have invaluable experience for the next time. The only time to jump on the train is when it is moving slowly enough to make it. You just won’t know when that is unless you start running. Sitting on the side of the track trying to figure it out will not help you. Run and jump and see how it feels. You have to start running. The rush you will get from trying to run, jump and get on is fantastic.
Gun Good
In the beginning was the wish then the desire then the plan then the attempt then the refinement then the new attempt. They say it takes 9 times of trying to quit smoking till you can actually do it. That is smoking. A totally addictive habit.
What is even harder is the attempt without a gun to your head. At least with smoking you have a gun to your health. But what if it is just a life change that would make everything better but nothing really bad will happen if you don’t no gun.
Well in that case you have to make a gun. Yo have to write down all the reasons life will be better if you do this thing. And all the reasons it will be worse if you don’t. You have to make a case that will become a gun.
Simplicity
Sometimes paintings can be the simplest thing. A few quick lines and a color wash. There is a temptation to overdo it and it is gone. The beauty of the painting is gone in a second if you over think it.
This happened last week. I was working in the studio and this painting happened and it was done and I thought I better work harder than that to make it worth more.
Worth more. Just because I spend 5 hours on a pair of lips does not make it worth more. If I agonize for days over the design, it does not make it worth more.
If it comes out fast that is ok. It is a blessing. Its done. go on.
Nobody cares how long you worked on something, I don’t care, Nobody cares. All anyone cares about is- Do they love it.
Let me tell you about this painting . I got the face and I loved the face. I saw this cat thing in the background that was totally accidental but there it was, and it made it even better. I also loved the color that just happened too. So I put it aside because we are talking I spent 10 minutes on the painting and I sell that size painting at the gallery for $1000.
I put it aside to live with it awhile. I took a look at again and decided yes it is done. I could wreck it in a minute by trying to make it better. It’s done and yes it took me 10 minutes but it took me 57 years to be alive to get to that point. So it is worth $1000.
Discipline is Freedom
Martha Graham said “Discipline is freedom.” That may be fine and good for a dancer but an other artists dont have to worry about that. They are free spirits.
Yeah right.
No artist is a free spirit. They are totally moved, not by a whim, but a drive that is overpoweringly demanding.
You must do what you do when you are an artist. At all costs. That is just the way it is. If you can not do it then you aren’t really an artist. Disciplines are called disciplines because it is so true.
Commitment must be total or forget it. Don’t bother wasting your time spinning your wheels. The more you can discipline yourself in every area will absolutely effect your work. That is why I am going to organize my house. I am not able to tell you where everything is immediately; therefore this is what I need to overcome. I know it will help my output if everything is organized and put away so I can focus on what I need to.