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.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

She Lives

Thought you could get rid of me that easy, Huh? If anyone is still out there who ever reads my blog, Im baaack. There are so many reasons for my absence they are too many to mention. ...but I will anyway.....one the road non-stop (now I know how rock stars feel, except I don't have goodies in a green room or a limo)....trying to learn Avid Liquid to edit the dvd's---a great program but more involved than Photoshop.....still adjusting to Ronnie being retired, ahem! and last but not least, another artistic crisis.....when will I stop doing that one. I know you are sick of it because I am sick of it myself.
However, the fog is lifting. I only have one more teaching date in July and then I am home until Quilt Market and Festival. The smartest thing I did this year was not book right up to the Houston grand finale. Last year I was on the road and trying to get ready for Houston. This year I hope things won't be quite so hectic.
As to the artistic crisis, it is not so much that I don' t want to work but am too tired and don't have time....which has put me in a funk. Even when I would have a week home, I was just not motivated. Solution: I have given myself a gift. I am attending the Creativity for Life retreat in Taos, NM in October. The retreat is sponsored by ArtSong and is being conducted by my former coach, Eric Maisel. Since we have never met in person, this is going to be very exciting for me....and I guess in a way he will never be my former coach because I know he is always there if I need him.
There is a big difference between the business of art and being an artist. I am sure there are many of you who could speak to this issue. For me, it is the 800 lb gorilla in the corner of the room. If I start my day on the business side, I never get to the creative side. Last year I had a plan but with this year's teaching schedule that all fell apart....along with my exercise regimen.
Guess I need to make new year's resolutions in July not January....so I am hoping to get back on track with all the aspects of my daily life including being a good blogger. I know I have made that promise before but I didn't keep it. Mainly because I felt I was just narrating my life and had nothing interesting to say. You know what I mean....packed,went to the airport, boarded the plane, arrived, gave lecture, taught workshop, came home, collapsed in front of television, watched bad tv and did the same thing all over again.
This time I will try to do better. I am feeling better physically already; hoping the mental and creative will follow.

8 comments:

Debra said...

I thought it was a mirage when my feedreader told me you had updated your blog!!

Good to see you back for the moment, gal! And a creative crisis from someone who would always tell us to just start the day in the workroom creating?? Oh well, it happens to us all.

(btw, you might have trouble recognizing me. I've gotten the "get healthy" bug and have lost over 30#!) Still not lean enough through the middle, but I'm working on it.

Val said...

I'm SO glad you're back, I've missed you. Regardless of what you had to say it was interesting!

Gay Pogue said...

Good to see you back. As to the balancing act, I have about decided to do all the business one day a week and make art the rest of the time. Of course, I have to do a little business other than the one day a week thing, but the big stuff will happen then.

Jeannie said...

I have missed you! As Valeri said, I always find you interesting to read. I was afraid you were washed away in all the flooding. I wish you balance and restoration of your creative juices. Cheers

Trista Hill said...

I am so glad you're back! I am inspired by whatever you have to say.

I so much wanted to attend the Creativity for Life workshop in NM, too. Imagine that -- we could have met! But I had a wedding to play that weekend (I'm a harpist). I can't wait to hear all about it.

Good to read you again.

Linda Branch Dunn said...

Good for you, to give yourself something good. Sounds wonderful.

atet said...

Great to see you back! Looking forward to your posts.

Teri said...

Hi Gabrielle,
I check seveal times a week hoping to see something new, and never expecting to. I'm glad that you are back!