Deadlines have been swirling around my head like angry vultures. At any moment, in my weakened state, they might swoop down and take a plug out of me. That's the poetic way of saying that nothing really will happen. I mean that in the most literal way. I'll miss my deadline, I won't get paid, and in all likelihood, won't get asked back again. Nothing will happen and will cause a ripple effect of nothing happening for a long time afterwards. For someone who is self-employed as a freelancer, this is a big deal. The self-employed don't get paid sick days.But I felt a twinge in my heart. My fingers itched to tear, cut, and paste paper. My heart swooned for the opportunity to get the paints out. I should have spent time working, but instead... I decided to follow my muse. Pictured above is a photo of a stack of 100 works of art all made by me. A bounty of collages lay before me, made up of layers of paint, paper and ink! When I was in college, I had a professor who would assign a project of doing a 100 works of art in less than 24 hours. It was supposed to free up your creative inhibitions and allow you to break down your personal archive of imagery. The muscles in your body would sing their truest song.
So, I summoned up this old practice, because my heart said YES! I felt creatively challenged and swept up by this decision to make. Here are a 100 little pieces of my heart... all saying, "YES!" I feel lighter, clearer and more ready to work. It's strange that something that I wasn't supposed to do, ended up saving me and refocusing my attentions.
11 comments:
Wonderful beautiful tiny pieces of joy
Well said. Beautiful art from within.
Being self-empolyeed you also don't get paid vacations. Which is why I have not been on vacation since I was a teen and with my parents. And I don't dare get sick.
I think if we would follow are heart or muse more the world would be a much more peaceful place.
I deal with people all day that are stressed, depressed, energy vampires, make excuses, not grounded and even lie to me. Maybe I should send them home with an art project. I have thought about doing this many times.
Beautiful bits of lightness and truth. The Muse made you do it! I love that. I think that it is certainly working to unfetter your mind and allow your hands and heart to travel in new directions. Thanks for sharing that little peek into your creative soul, Andrew. Enjoy the day! Erin
Beautiful work! Yes, indeed!
Oh! Hope you are feeling better soon!
Thanks Gaea! I'm feeling fine actually. I was just making a point that taking off for whatever reason when one is a freelancer could potentially be very harmful. In many "regular" corporate jobs, so many paid sick days are included and often times people are encouraged to take time off to use their sick days so they don't build up. Most people who work freelance don't have this luxury (even if they are sick). Alas.
Love the palette and layering of imagery. I am glad you answered your inner call for art making.
I love that. I will give it a try. Thank you.
That was a brave thing to do.
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. You know, taking time for myself... for my art... it was magical. What a concept, right?
I am so happy with what I've made and I'm even happier that I can share it with you all.
Thank you!
These are wonderful! I am looking for this sort of imagery to use as cards with positive messages on the back for LunaCafe OtherWorldly Artisan Cookies. If you are interested in sharing (with credit) or selling the images, please let me know: smsb@thelunacafe.com.
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