Scott C., these sparkles are for you because you put a sparkle in my heart today with your message.
When friends got wind today that I was going to stop creating art, an uproar took place. I had to rethink what I had been thinking about the past few days and the decision I came to last night.
Creating art, and the creative process should never be forced. Art is, what I consider, a holy act (no, I'm not getting religious on everyone). It comes straight from the heart, be it painting, dancing, writing, or anything that is formed with a pure purpose (pure purpose can even be an emotion such as love, anger, sadness). It can create connections between human beings, help us understand cultures, and even be used as a healing process. For me to put something so special on the back-burner may not be the right decision now that I have heard arguments, opinions, and dealt with questions. Maybe the thing I need to think about instead is, how can I adjust my life to make room for something that is so important. So, taking everything I heard to heart, this weekend I will take the time to rethink, meditate, ruminate and see if in this dark spot in my life I can take the sparkles that I received today and start creating a bright light, even if it's small. Yes, those sparkles are a bit of a metaphor, but if that one or two or three sparkles can actually ignite, there's some hope for me yet.
So thank you all those who stopped me today, called me today, left messages today. I don't feel nearly as alone. Hearing stories and experiences made me stop and think. I might not paint today, or draw tomorrow, but thanks to all of you, I definitely won't stop. And the day job? I'll get a pickaxe and start working on that ball and chain.
Oh, and one more thing, I'll keep this blog going, come hell or high water.
xoxo
8 comments:
Thank you for such a sweet message. I am glad my words fell on a needed place. And that was, in short what I was trying to say. Art is not something that needs to be cranked out. Let all your creations come to life. I am sure your sparkles will light the dark place you speak of. after all they are sparkles. :) take care.
Yeah! Me so happy! ;-D
julita, i'm just catching up here after having no electricity or internet since thursday night's ice storm, and i'm so glad to read you'll keep the blog up since i just found it!
i'm a graphic designer too, and i know exactly what you mean about the day-to-day forced creativity and deadlines leaving little energy for anything else. but even if you can only manage a little progress at a time on your own work, you should definitely keep plugging away at it. people often don't appreciate looking at their own art, only seeing the flaws and the process. i was amazed by your paintings when i saw them here and i'm sure others are too!
M. Thanks for the wonderful words, they really do help. I hope the ice storm didn't do too much damage. I was actually driving that night through your area (Chester?). When I really need to think, I drive up into the mountains, take back roads, go out into the middle of nowhere. It was raining here in S'hampton but the further up I went the roads became slick and icy. I couldn't believe how many large branches had fallen onto the roads. Glad to hear that you're okay out there.
Hey, I don't know you, but I'm a long-time friend of Scott's. I'm an itinerant artist and I've struggled with how to reconcile my job with my art. It's a tough question that you can only answer yourself. The advice I can give you is that it is pointless to forever deny your creative side. It's a deal-breaker, like cutting off a limb just because it didn't help you today. Slow down and enjoy what you create, even if nobody else buys it or sees it. It makes you happy right? Your art occupies you and gives you an outlet for self-expression, right? Chin up. It's your talenty and nobody can take that from you. Do it for yourself.
Hi there Julita, I was reading your earlier post about quitting and I must say I empathize with your situation. I worked as a Mcdesigner for 10 years. I can understand the churn and burn of the day job wearing away at you. At my last design job I was fortunate to meet another designer that shared my interest in picture books. From there a passion that I had put on the back burner for the past 5 years resurfaced. It took me seven years to get my first picture book contract as the illustrator. Picture books don't pay well, but I love doing it. I agree with what the others have posted. It's difficult to balance work and the art you love to make. Try your best and keep working even if it means just sketching for 10-15 minutes a day. Seek out other like minded creatives in your area. I've found that to be helpful. You can tell that creative types are most supportive because we know how hard it is. I also read a book called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. The book is like self help for artists. I found it to help me get through a block and self doubt. I'm so glad you'll keep going with your art. Just know you aren't alone and that being true to yourself is the best approach.
s'hampton?! that's not far at all! i'm in plainfield, and when i have time off, i hang out in northampton.
Hi Julita: Do keep true to your artistic self as much as you can. I'm in my 50's and still balance work at a day job with my real work; art. If not, where would I be? I say, the heck with sending Holiday cards and doing presents. I'm making art this December because that's what I want to do. And yes, I go to my day job, because that's why I can buy paint!
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