Perhaps it was that big helping of karma Monicka sent over the Web, or maybe it was the ripple effect of The Artist’s Way, but I finished my quilt. I still have to sew an area on the back so I can mount it properly (I taped it to the wall to take the pic) but other than that, fertig!
I still need to name it. I also need to name the orange one you see. That one is three years old…sort of a long time to be nameless.
Any ideas?:-)
I have half a mind to gather up my photos and quilts and try for a one-woman show somewhere. But that would mean calling myself an “ah-teest” and I’m not sure if I’m there yet. So what’s stopping me? Fear, as always. Putting your artwork on display is like putting your child in a beauty pageant. There’s probably nothing more heartbreaking than having part of you rejected. Showing my stuff on the internet is one thing: It’s safe. But walking around during a vernissage and hearing bitter critique is another.
I wonder how Laurie Anderson does it?
Or Lorna Simpson?
You know, if I did a show, you know how I’d want to do it? I’d put the photos and quilts around the room, then put a bottle of a scent that I designed in front of each photo or quilt that captures the…hell…I don’t know…the “the” of the work. Take this photo for example:
I’d have a bottle in front of that with a blend of something magnolia-ish, cut grass, soil and something salty or sweaty.
This one:
Lavender absolute, jasmine grandiflorum absolute, ylang ylang concrete and black pepper essential oil. I’d need a good bottom note though.
But there’s laundry to be done…
…and an office to clean (you should see my office)…
…and responsibilities…
…and so on…
I talked with a friend yesterday (hi Kyla:-)). She relayed a story about how when folks go to Fiji, they’re impressed by the kindness and warmth of the people, the spirit of the island. The tourists say, “When I retire, I want to move here, I want to live like this.” The Fijians laugh and respond, “Why wait until you retire?” Basically, what they’re saying is “live the life you want to live now.”
The million-dollar question is “How?”.
Comments (4)
How? Kindness and warmth, right? Why can’t we live like that now?
Is this a trick question? When you say “live the life you want to live now,” do you mean the life you desire, the life you dream? I don’t think it’s the same as living the life you want. If your desire or dream was important enough, you would do everything you could to live that life. The life you *want* is more like a balance of desires. Most of us probably live the lives we want, with some parts that we desire more, and some parts that we desire less! (For example, my desire to be with my husband outweighs my desire to avoid freezing temps.)
In one way, I guess spiritually, I’m happy. In another, in terms of success, I’m not satisfied with myself. Absolutely not. I’m talented and I know for a fact that I can do more and can achieve more…more than what I’ve done already. I know this because it’s in my mind…and if (insert deity here) put it in my mind, that’s the way it is.
Of course, I try to live in kindness and warmth right now, but that’s not all that life is about.
I think many women, go though this period of self-examination. I think it is a perpetual event that continues until you breath your last breath.
I can totally relate with the feelings you are experiencing. I find that I am both left and right brain. It seems that I go through periods when I need to be creative and others where I want to be logical and analytical. I have had several careers in my life as a result.
Right now, I’m going through another analytical/left brain period and I am compelled to use that part of my brain more right now.
But I know in a about 7 years or so, I will probably transition back to the other side again. It is fun to be mentally flexible, but it does pose challenges (of satisfaction) for me from time-to-time.
@Jocelyn - > Oh please don’t tell me this is a seven-year cycle!:-)