A phrase my mother has told me at many points in my life is, "You'll never have more time than you have right now." Being an author and an artsy person herself, what she meant was that I would never have more time in my life to be creative--I would have to make time. (Darn it, but she has a knack of being right.)
This has been especially important for me to remember right now, especially since Boog is hellbent on being danced around the apartment for a good portion of the day. At 18-months-old, every day is like Christmas; and she is diggin' it! Which means that I am usually digging her out of stuff and not digging into my art projects.
So I have been revamping my schedule and trying to squeeze in creative time whenever possible. I think a lie that I tell myself is that tomorrow (you know, that magical tomorrow that somehow eludes us), I'll have more time, more money, more talent, more drive, more whatever. But the truth of the matter is, my life is RIGHT NOW. And I know that there are times when art does have to be put on the back burner. (Being pregnant and not able to stand the smell of acrylics made painting somewhat difficult!) But a lot of the time, I find myself waiting when I should be doing. Something. No matter how small.
So while I'm not going to push myself to the snapping point like I did in December, it might mean that I have some late nights hunched over a painting or textile piece like Quasimodo. Not pretty; but when I'm not creatively pursuing something, I'm simply not me.
This fabric necklace is a sweet and simple little number. I worked on it over a period of days--not because it was difficult but because I had to grab snippets of time here and there. The detail that I love about it is the vintage tablecloth flower. Have I mentioned my love of vintage linen? I'm mad about it, I tell you, MAD!!! The stories tablecloths could tell! I just love 'em! And I am equally unapologetic about my love of owls. It is a joy for me to share this piece with you because I was able to carve out the time to make it, hunched back and all!
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9 comments:
very, very beautiful. i totally commend you for carving out time for this creation. i don't have kids and still find myself being so still (not doing anything fun or creative). I hope to really change my ways....
Stunning! you do make some fabulous creations and I love them!
Micki x
I love this, and I love the post. And I love what you say about time. Sometimes I should feel guilty for neglecting things I should be doing around here (my house), but I don't because I'm so content in my art room--I always make time for art :D
Oh, Autumn, you are so, so right! I have learned (the hard way), that some of those great ideas, if not acted upon, will just flit away. OK, so maybe some of them weren't great, but I'm betting some of them were too.
You are right, too, that the time spent creating is really what we are about. I think I don't miss things until I am doing them, and I am amazed at how things just click.
Lovely piece! I can totally relate to how you feel about carving creative time with two young boys running around my house I sometimes find myself spending my whole day trying to make time by doing everything else first ie cleaning, cooking etc....sometimes though you just have to do it. I think I'm finding a balance now.
Oh be sure to hop over to my blog for a chance to win my giveaway. :0)
Hi Autumn!
Wow, thats an amazing necklace!
I battle with making time all the time. It feels like when I do have a little time, I am too exhausted to create anything, I always seem to have to push myself. The good thing about it though is that in the end I find my creating time it very satisfying so I guess it makes it all worthwhile!
I'm so glad you shared this post and beautiful piece :-)
Thank you for inspiring me to release the mediocre artist within. ;-) I needed the reminder that it is about the act of doing it, not necessarily the result. I can get so focused on results it makes me not want to try something unless I expect I can do it well.
Wow! Thank you ladies for your feedback and for your thoughtful comments. I'm inspired by your insights and so thankful that you all have stopped by! :-)
This is lovely, just lovely! xx
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