Marking Time

And still it goes . . . time compressed, hours in the car commuting, juggling budgets, hiring, training, publicity . . . poor right brain! It sits quietly squashed into a corner, waiting patiently for a gesture, a signal that it can function once again.

But I know the time is approaching. Perhaps the Solstice is nudging things along? More and more, as I work, commute, do laundry, food shopping, weed the garden, part of my mind is shifting and sorting, fingering ideas of color and shape, of how the light spills at a certain time of day. For the first time in months, I picked up the camera to catch the early morning light on some roses. A kind of coming home after a long departure . . .

When time is short, simple papers and a glue stick work for me. What works for you? These could end up as note cards for friends and family -- or they could be framed up as small works to be arranged on a white wall that catches the summer sunlight, a kind of paper quilt . . .

Archipelago

6" x 8"

collaged papers

Translation iii

5" x 7"

collaged papers and fabric

Totem

6" x 8"

collaged papers; fabric

The Source

5" x 6"

collaged papers (sold)

Translations ii

5" x 7"

collaged papers; paint; text

Even if it is only the tactile movement of touching papers and fabric, of moving small masses of color and textures around on a clear, white space . . . it is enough -- for now.

What art offers is space - 

a certain breathing room for the spirit. 

~John Updike

Update on Creative Paralysis & Procrastination

So I've tried to follow what I wrote last week, trying to build up that "one thing" creative savings account throughout the week so that my weekends are relatively task-free.

Tuesday I did this one thing:

If you haven't heard about MOO cards, check it out -- it's fun, very user-friendly and you can't beat the price! I love the tips that other artists and marketers share. I will post a pic when I get mine next week.

Wednesday I did this one thing:

I have used this company before -- again, very efficient and easy on pricing: Documounts for custom-cut mats and backing, as well as a host of other accessories most artists need.

And today I cheated a bit -- nothing to help my art business but rather something to help my spirit. We all need that from time to time, don't we? I found Copper Canyon Press, a wonderful publisher of contemporary and international poetry. What I love about the site is that you can sample bits of poetry from the various books and then share them via email with friends and colleagues. Cool! If you download their catalog, you can browse through and read excerpts. That's where I found a backlist of Pablo Neruda's works -- excellent treat for such a wet and dreary day.

So now I've cleared the deck of "have-to-do's" and can devote that much more time to working on the art. I've still got so much more to do before the Hartford Open Studio weekend, but now I feel I've achieved a bit more balance by keeping the menial things off to one side.

Out of clutter find simplicity;

From discord find harmony;

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein