Things are getting more and more eccentric at Casa de la Swain. Changing styles in my textile work, falling in love again with painting and photography...and then there is the ever illusive quest for continuing creativity through working with Eric Maisel. Still on the road teaching, posting now at the Ragged Cloth Cafe and taking the pledge to keep handmaiden up to date.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Not Like I Don't Have Anything to Say

First, let's whine about computers. For some unknown reason my desktop has decided to not recognize the USB port from my camera. Guess it just decided not to play nice. So I will upload some pictures from my laptop later.
My lack of posting is because I have been exhausted and at the same time working hard. There aren't enough hours in the day. However, I have a new plan...famous last words. I am picking a time and going to the studio everyday. I will work a certain number of hours until the energy passes and then leave the studio. Why am I taking this new tact? I discovered that I was working all the time. If I am not in the office doing business stuff, I am in the studio. If I am not in the studio, I am sitting on the sofa quilting or sketching. I am never not doing something. Results: I am tired every morning when I wake up. Decision: build in some do nothing time. Sure I will probably be contemplating or maybe even reading, but this will my cooling off time.
Can one become too passionate about their art? I think not but we have to feed the muse. Naturally being in the studio does this automatically but trying to do too many things at one time creates chaos and a lack of focus in me. What to do today? Should I work on this or that?

My travel schedule for this year is very heavy so I will need every ounce of energy just to get through....yet I am still compelled to create. Hope this plan works. I will keep you posted. All suggestions welcomed. I am sure we all suffer from the same dis-ease from time to time. Yet I firmly believe that there is a way to solve this situation.

I leave you with my favorite quote from Goethe (which speaks directly to the heart of the matter):

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and
power in it. Begin it now."

2 comments:

Gerrie said...

Oh, there you are! Delighting us with your angst! I miss you when you don't post.

Julaine said...

I completely understand! You get so charged up when the creativity is there, but demands/deadlines have to be dealt with...piles of laundry, dishes, other work.
Being faced with "too passionate" is a tough one, but maybe it's true?