Feelin’ It vs Showin’ Up
Butterfly Dream: I painted this one with Mom in mind
Inspiration is a funny thing sometimes. Quite often, I feel inspired in the moments when I’m not free to act, like when I’m training a client or teaching yoga. It can be elusive for me, but I wonder if that might be partly due to my approach.
I have a friend, a successful and prolific writer, who works in his office pretty much every day. He keeps regular hours, long ones, and you can figure out he’s not busy writing the whole time. But he shows up, he’s committed, and it has worked very well for him.
I am only able to create part time, in between all the other stuff I do to pay the bills. Sometimes my working days are long and I am too tired to feel inspired to do anything other than enjoy a glass of wine and stare out the window. While “down time” is considered healthy and necessary to creativity, my point is that I’m not always able to call on the spirit that moves when I have the time to act.
A wise friend recently reminded me, when I mentioned my conundrum, to put aside just one hour a day and show up. The idea being routine works hand in hand with inspiration. Whether I’m reading about other artists, doodling, painting, or just staring at my paintings, I’ve made the commitment to my creative self.
All this coincides with what I’m learning from Julia Cameron, author of “The Artist’s Way.” I recommend her book to everyone and not just to artists in the traditional sense. If you are willing, this book can: 1) give you fresh eyes; 2) bring clarity to the stuck bits in your life; 3) shine light on the dreams that have been shoved to the back of your hope closet.
Faerith: She’s a Faerie Warrior Princess - a work in progress
Serendipity and synchronicity happen a lot to me now. Or, better said, I am more aware of them. The example that inspired (ha!) this blog came from reading something in a Sunday New York Times. I’m not sure which week it was, as I put aside what interests me, and read them when I have time.
This particular issue is the Style Magazine titled “The Greats” and features successful people from all walks of life. I ate this magazine up. In fact, I started this letter to you immediately after finishing the last article about a world renown chef, Massimo Bottura.
Except for Michele Obama and Lady Gaga, I didn’t know any of these people. But I have fallen in love with this chef. I want to be him. Better said, reading about him has reminded me that I already am who he is. Under all of the me’s I present to the public, behind all of the ways I’ve learned to behave so I could fit in, I’m just like this guy. And he’s a force - open, receptive, a yummy blend of eagerness, openness, and Pollyanna-positive. Two speeds, basically - enthusiastic and asleep.
He says, “Think expansively through exposure to music, art, even elegant home decor.” Exposure is key for him. His brain is always working, processing disparate bits and pieces into novel and surprising things. “Keep your mind open,” he says. “Always keep a door open to the unexpected.” That’s how I want to create. That’s how I want to live.
Fantasy Garden: Had fun “finding” shapes and patterns to paint
I love those quotes; they feed and inspire me. But it’s this next one that really resonates, that fills me with hope for my creative future, that inspires me to dream big and to reach long: “Through beauty you can rebuild the soul.” A simple statement, my purpose explained - my goal, my dream, is to paint in a way to touch souls, soothe spirits, and inspire another’s dream.
If you’ve looked at my paintings, you have seen that I don’t do brain art. I paint from my Pollyanna heart and am driven to create fun images and beautiful, soothing, uplifting pictures.
Acting on my friend’s advice is proving beneficial. I’ve stopped beating up on myself when I am not able to put paintbrush to paper. I now celebrate all the other many ways I do support my creative self and my business. Interestingly, I find I am feelin’ it a lot more these days!
I think anyone can benefit from this idea. Do something, anything, even if it’s only for 10 minutes each day, with your eye on your dream. That commitment will build on itself and you’ll feel good about yourself. As my friend said, “If you want to write a book, and you get out one page a day, at the end of the year you’ll have 365 pages.” Something to think about.
Happy Holidays, everyone!