In Between's and Attitudes
Today's little story - I used to have a craft business when we lived in Denver. I started it in 2000 something. Jules was a little tyke and it was a way for me to get out of the house and have an excuse to make things. I made bags, belts, and journals. I had a great time and made money at the first few events and I kind of liked selling. But as I continued, it all became a bit more of a burden and most of the time I broke even, which felt like a lot of wasted time. Then, I went to this outside event with a friend and instead of having a cheery attitude I got jealous. She was selling and I wasn't and I became grumpy and angry. I left that event feeling guilty and terrible that I might have been a jerk toward my friend. She was someone that I looked up too and was someone that I could learn from. So, I made a decision - I would not make items to sell unless I could go to an event purely for the joy of it and have a good time. I do believe that if you go into a situation feeling a bit bitter or negative that the karma (or whatever you want to call it) will make people respond to you negatively or avoid you all together. So, since then I have not participated in many events. The one's that I have participated in I had no expectations; I went to have a good time and that's exactly what I did. I have quietly and contently created for no other reason than because I enjoy it. Much like this blog. I just love making things! I like the process, the outlet, the trial and error. As many of these blogs are - they are a reminder to myself of how to enter the world, the classroom, life. Not fighting but smiling - enjoying the process.
Speaking of process. I read an interesting blog from Dan Scott (I'll link his article and website below) another artist and he recommended watching the film: A Solitary Man. Jules and I watched it, it's a very interesting documentary about the artist Jeremy Mann and his process in painting. It's a wonderful reminder that what we bring to things matters. I love Dan Scott's take, "If you’re finding that your work is not hitting the mark lately, then perhaps slow down and spend a bit more time on everything that happens before you pick up a brush. Exploring ideas, taking reference photos, thinking, preparing. Make it so that by the time it comes to paint, there’s nothing standing between you and the strokes you’re making on the surface."
I think this is so true in any so many things we are doing. Are we spending the time we need to prep so that the work happens effortlessly? This not only goes with the work but our attitudes. Are we coming to things curious, joyful, relatable, pick your adjective but it does matter.
All the photos today are journal pages I'm working on while I do the prep work for my next larger painting. I'm collecting ideas and reference photos - I'm getting my brain ready and in between I journal, design, and have fun!
Hope you all have a joyful week. Love, Eileen
Dan Scott's website - https://drawpaintacademy.com/start-here/