Forelle Pear #4 – 6" x 4" – Oil on Canvas Panel – SOLD
Here is the last pear of this series, and it was completed predominately with round brushes. This week of actively trying new painting techniques and working through the process has been good, in that I think I am starting to get the swing of using the rounds. There were times during this series when I wanted to go back to my comfort zone and pick up a bristle filbert paint brush (on Tuesday I did just that). Though by setting the parameters with each daily painting a new comfort level has been achieved and that was the goal.
This week I have been reading on Heather Smith Jones’ blog about her thoughts on creativity here and here. These two posts have been meaningful for me as I am personally working on how to balance all the art projects floating around in my head and the constraints life sometimes imposes.
Since Sunday I have been working on a 16 x 20 inch painting and this daily painting series. They have consumed my days, standing at the easel for long periods of time and when taking breaks still thinking about them. On a mental level this week has been wonderful however it has overworked my back. Where my existing back injury has flared up and yesterday I had to see my physical therapist. She encouraged me to slow down. Bittersweet advice as I really want to paint. Tomorrow I am planning to find other ways to be creative and help soothe the back injury so next week will not be hindered with sciatic pain. It was Heather’s posts that reminded me that creativity comes in ebbs and flows and it is okay for the experiences to not be what you expected. How some areas feed others.
I am curious, how have you found balance in your life and creativity?
10 comments:
You are really persistent and the results are very good! I will check out your references you made and try to get back on track. I have way to many different projects in my daily life to get anything done but taking my morning views photos. I really like your pears!
Thanks Elisabeth for the encouragement. All day yesterday I was thinking about projects and life goals and came up with this thought, that maybe just getting one thing accomplished each day is really good. Like how you take your morning photos.
What a good post! I am still working on the work-life balance thing; a work in progress. The key for me is planning; the multi-year plan, the 4-month plan, and the weekly plan. Only one big task per day (or week?) is also key. Perhaps life also has its ebbs and flows; after a busy period must come a calmer period...
Maybe you should design a setup that you can paint at that will not be so hard on your back...maybe something that will suspend the canvas above your bed... it might not be optimal from a painting standpoint, but could allow you to vary your painting position so that you aren't stressing yourself in the same stance so much. Maybe it isn't possible.
I haven't written in awhile but I have been quietly enjoying your blog entries and am very excited about your following your professional art dreams. Everything has been fantastic!
Garth
Anna-
I am going to have to think about planning more and also limit the big tasks per day. Since going out on my own I have just been so happy and excited that I feel like a kid in a candy shop with unlimited funds. I want to do everything I have been dreaming about for the past year.
This injury flare up has really made me re-assess and in the long run it will all work out. The busy period always needs that slower time, it is just natural...
Hi Garth,
It is great to hear from you and thanks for the idea. Maybe hooking up a system to paint on my back may work, but then again gravity may work against me and I will get paint on my face... I think just scheduling more times to rest will be best.
take care, Liz
I love your pear and those bright greens are divine! I'm sorry to hear about your back; I was just thinking today about how much I was hunching over as I was working on a painting and how unwelcome it would be for my back afterward (and I'm already feeling it). Down time isn't too bad, and you can always use it as an opportunity to sketch and get some new ideas.
Creativity definitely comes in giant ebbs and flows for me. When its on I'm feeling great and try to get as much done as I can, and when it's off I try to push through it but usually end up frustrated and just have to wait it out. I agree that it's ok for the experiences to not be what you expect, and it's all part of a natural cycle that'll work itself out in time.
Feel better!
Thank you Kerri. It is Sunday morning and I am starting to feel better.
My enforced down time has been good, just like you said, I am using it to think about some new ideas and to sketch. The ebbs and flows are all good and this ebb has been a good reminder of always stay aware of the signals my body/back send.
Thanks again, Liz
Hi Liz,
This is my first visit to your blog. I really love your paintings! Good luck getting your back into working order! Physical therapy is a killer- but worth it. I have spent the last 4 months in phys. therapy for my knee dislocation. It's coming along...
Rachel, thanks for stopping by and visiting. I hope your knee continues to improve. My back is starting to calm down some, no more regular shooting pains running down my legs. So I am starting to slowing get back in the saddle, so to speak. Liz
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