Fascinating Rhythms
March 30, 2009 by Janice
We live in interesting times. Fascinating rhythms, just when we could have gotten real boring. As some things deconstruct on their own, others, we could actually take down ourselves. There’s real opportunity to put something else, or many something elses in their place.
Of course there always has been that opportunity. And some people do that all the time. It’s “how they roll”, as the saying goes.
Fascinating or no, artists tend to like rhythms and routines. Structure. We like to have the essentials of daily living down to a recognizable pattern. Surprising? Here’s why we do. It affords more latitude, more ”what if” attitude in the studio. Gives us that window of percolation that we have to have.
Why do you think I always come back to this Organizing Monday post on , um , Mondays? Strength of discipline. Sure. Organized brain. Sure. Tidy little work life? LOL…….
Okay…still chuckling.
It’s so my little artistic brain and heart won’t entirely explode and run off the tracks.
I am actually known for being organized among my colleagues. And in Santa Fe a whole new set of people/artists got to see me be prolific because of it. But right this minute. I NEED, not want, NEED this ritual of Mondays to keep my right brain from scampering away and leaving the left one in the dirt.
It has some textures, some lines, some experiments it wants to make. It has seen a window or two and is , oops just let me grab it…just a sec. And it wants to chuck all the very practical and income earning things the left brain is pointing to and just run free. Dance over paper and canvas.. construct even…tie paper in knots and paint it? What? Story board abstract little films? Who let it out again?
Here’s the real dirt…I have been looking around for awhile, and seeing the most amazing things. I put them all in to sift and filter a bit, stuff the ideas, the what if’s in a drawer or a notebook. Well, now some of them are patting out a rhythm. Calling out to me. Yes I know I set this up, asked for it. But I have fiscal goals too. I have to restore my income, find new collectors, new galleries. You know, earn a living?
So Mondays, are like deciding the difference between need and want. Sometimes they are remarkably similar. Sometimes one is the change that brings the other. Now figuring out which is which, there’s the trick. But my plan has room for both. So the plan is addressed on Mondays…but that right brain has already found a loophole. Its wriggle room/spot in the plan.
See I don’t forget you buddy, it’s right there see? And won’t that be fun. Listen. That rhythm you hear, well that’s my right brain tapping out anticipation.
Do you have a way that you channel yourself? Allow for the innovation to work right along with what you’re working on? I guess I am asking if you have scheduled innovation time in your plan? And if you don’t, why not?
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4 Responses to “Fascinating Rhythms”
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If I just didn’t have the darned day job, things would be so much easier–you know what I mean?! LOL
I feel like this time of year, when I’m not on the road, my rhythms are imposed by my job more than I want, (but I’m quite happy to have the job, don’t get me wrong!) It seems more and more that on the road, and now at home, I paint in the evenings, but my natural inclination is to paint mornings. What can you do–I can’t complain–at least I can do it then. “Fascinating rhythms” is right. Saw your Book Review up there–I’ve been wanting to read that new biography of Cheever that I keep reading reviews on–it sounds good.
sue’s last blog post..“Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.” (-Alice Walker)
I know what you are saying LOL… and I guess don’t mind the paint would not go over well there?
Ar the reviews good for the Cheever bio? I have a long reading wishlist…
Janice, bingo! You have completely captured the struggle that I think many of us have that balance of need and want, of play and responsibility. I’m there right now at that crossroads, ideas bubbling over the surface begging for my attention but needing to produce income. I have tried to set aside a day for play, testing, experimenting. I also try to find ways to bring pieces of that play, those ides into the “needs.” Yet, there are those things that beg to replace the “need” and if nurtured they can make money too. I don’t have the answers yet but I’ll get there.
Karen Swim’s last blog post..It’s April and I am the Fool
I can feel that you are up to something Karen. I think in combination with spring , we’ve been on some kind of track to push ourselves to another level. So let’s jump. Let’s just go there…while juggling the other stuff… yeah, degree of difficulty might just be offset by…BREAKTHROUGH…LOL.