Happy Earth day!!!

I received lots of different feedback to last question I posed about re entering your creative process-and got a range of answers, very few of which are posted here.  Many were sent to my personal email, which reassures me I am not the only one reticent about putting it all out there :)  But I was inspired by those who just threw themselves back into the process with abandon, with out regard to result or product. Inspiring!!!

This week the battle continues to wage on in my head/studio between working on the new website, photographing and photo-shopping work, getting new pieces started, and being distracted by temperatures in the 50s.  That's +50 for those of you who lived thru last winter’s polar vortex!! A virtual heat wave, and time to cut back the grasses, divide the perennials, and put in another round of cold weather crops! 

But I digress..... again! See the pattern? Feel free to suggest a diagnosis. 

My one consolation is that the time spent making the NEW AND IMPROVED :) website is that it's a one time investment, and it will be done soon!  A colleague who is way beyond me in the digital world told me that no, it's never done... UGG! Don't want to hear that right now.  Need to keep going and at least get the basics up and out there! Hoping to be able to launch soon-so I can spend some guilt free time in the studio--and garden!! That is the goal, at least.... 

Those assemblages?  They are gathering some steam.... Here's my latest.  I went ahead and included last years grasses-just couldn't help myself...! And the palette just can't help but be lighter and brighter...Happy Earth day!!!

RE-ENTRY-or, IS IT OK TO WHINE ON YOUR BLOG?

So I have had a forced break from the studio after a much needed vacation, then moving my dad cross country- no small task! Came back home to organize, publicize, host, and hang a juried exhibition, and finally, FINALLY, get back to the studio!!! Which is what I wanted/needed, right?   But then I come back to this:

UG. Needed to dig out and find work surfaces before I could do anything!!  And meanwhile- I am behind in getting new website up and running, perennial beds need to be cleared to make the way for new growth, I should be starting seedlings in the garage, and when is the last time the dogs nails have been cut? Monkey mind? abso-frickin- lutely!!  When I’m at the studio, I feel like I’m neglecting the office (marketing business tasks never end, and catching up in the office is an illusion- I am sure of it!) or the house or friends or critters... arg.  I am thankful I don’t have children right about now!  Don’t know how mothers get anything done. But now I’m here, and I can see at least 70 percent of my big worktable, and in theory I should be gleefully pulling out paint or ink or concrete or??  Why do we put off what we want/need?  And so this is where mixed media can be daunting- which process is best to tackle first?  Tackle the burgeoning pile of works already in progress? (Which, if I was sensible- that’s where I’d jump in) but making art isn’t always sensible- rarely is it about expediency.  For me- I think one of he reasons I have developed this "arsenal' of processes is that I need to choose the one that best suits my frame of mind at that time.  Which is-?  Some times are better for careful study and consideration (researching and making screens for the next piece), others for loose abandon (throwing/spraying/squeegy-ing paint), others for a need for tactile messy (concrete!) or an urge to use power tools (cut a hole in that piece and build doors and a box into it!). 

Ah well this makes me sounds absolutely psychotic, which, well, I probably am. Who chooses to do this for a living that isn’t just a bit touched??  But- I do love my choices, and although it makes it harder to narrow down which one will win today- I can honestly say I don’t get bored- EVER! So today I think what’s best is to tackle it all (in theory) by creating a small assemblage that uses the "has beens", "would be-s", and "made especially for" surfaces.  oh yes- and some of the sticks that my studio neighbor thinks I’m building a beavers' dam with in my studio.... I think these are a good "daily study" for me that incorporates a little bit of everything…cause right now i can't commit to any one process- so gonna embrace them all….  stay tuned for end result. 

Ok- end of whine/rant.  Guess I am writing to other artists here- of all types-does everyone jump right back into the studio after time off and get running right off the bat? Do you have a re-entry period/process/procedure?  How do you deal with it?  I’m curious.....