Yesterday was the last day of my 30 works in 30 days project. It feels
good to have completed a personal goal, and I'm looking forward to my
creative pace easing up a bit.
As expected, I learned a few things along the way.
1. There is time in the day to create more art. It really comes down to time management and priorities. I've had to say no to a number of things the past month, but I realized that that's not a bad thing.
2. It's all about balance and perspective, especially for an artist who works from home and has children living at home. If I was 25 years-old and single, a 50 - 60 hour work week would be expected. But the schedule I maintained the last four weeks is not sustainable for where I'm at in life (with a busy family schedule) . . . and I'm okay with that.
3. I'm tired, but I'm not burned out. Just more affirmation that I love what I do. In addition to the 30 in 30, I also worked on a new client project this month. I'll share more about this experience in the next post.
As expected, I learned a few things along the way.
1. There is time in the day to create more art. It really comes down to time management and priorities. I've had to say no to a number of things the past month, but I realized that that's not a bad thing.
2. It's all about balance and perspective, especially for an artist who works from home and has children living at home. If I was 25 years-old and single, a 50 - 60 hour work week would be expected. But the schedule I maintained the last four weeks is not sustainable for where I'm at in life (with a busy family schedule) . . . and I'm okay with that.
3. I'm tired, but I'm not burned out. Just more affirmation that I love what I do. In addition to the 30 in 30, I also worked on a new client project this month. I'll share more about this experience in the next post.
The one downside of kicking out so many works of art in a short period is not having the time to talk about each work that I've created. The above work, Bouquet, is the last piece in the series and the most personal. Several days ago, we learned that a teenage girl in our church community had taken her own life. She was just fifteen.
So, late Saturday night, in a cloud of sorrow, I painted this piece. I included outlines of japanese anemones, which are some of my favorite flowers. They are delicate and sweet, much like children.
So, late Saturday night, in a cloud of sorrow, I painted this piece. I included outlines of japanese anemones, which are some of my favorite flowers. They are delicate and sweet, much like children.
7 comments:
I have loved seeing your 30 pieces in 30 days...
That last painting-inspired by such sadness is absolutely beautiful.
I hope you make prints of that one. Although it may be too precious?...it could also be a way to help- maybe sales from that one print could go to a suicide prevention organization or something?
-april
Wow, I love that last one and am not surprised that it came from such an emotional event...so sorry to hear of it.
I've also really enjoyed your 30 for 30 and your reactions! I personally don't understand the 50-60 work week even for a 20 something single like myself! I notice that more of my friends are trending towards working less hours (25-35 hours) and using their spare time for other things they love, while learning to live on less.
These are great and what a wonderful idea.....Well done for you and thanxs for sharing......
Well done on completing 30/30 project! Not an easy thing, I know.
I enjoyed seeing your paintings too, my favourite is still "night and day"... How wonderful if it became part of my living room! Love it.
Finding the time where one can focus is always a challenge, isn't.. I think I work best in the early morning before my daughter wakes up and I go for my day job.
Thanks ladies for your comments.
April, I'm glad you really like Bouquet. After finishing a work, sometimes I feel that I need to let go of it, like releasing a balloon into the air. So I don't think I'll be making prints of this one.
Kerry, the work week topic makes for a great post. I should have added that a 50+ work week makes sense for an artist/designer starting out and trying to make a living from their art. Like you, I believe in doing what you love (why not get paid for it?) and living simply.
Bouquet is stunning. Such artistry to come out of tragedy! It is a real tribute to the girl.
Thanks for sharing your pieces...30 in 30 days is such a challenge!
Wow! I'm blown away with these paintings. I think it's a great idea creating 30 different works of art in 30 days and I admit that initially, I would feel a bit stressed having to create finished works of art every day. It's a terrific exercise for the creative brain, though. Hmmm...you have me thinking that I might need to try this...
I'd love to see each of the paintings that you created over the past month. Maybe you could share them throughout March? Reading about your creative process would be so interesting.
And I'm sorry to hear the sad news about the teenage girl. It's just so sad that she couldn't see that it really does get better in time. Teenage years can be so tough! My thoughts are with her family. I can't even imagine what they are going through right now. Your painting certainly reflects sorrow in such a delicate way.
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