Yesterday I took two steps toward a more positive and happy life.
I'm a big fan of Facebook. First it is an extremely efficient way to reach all my friends and family in one fell swoop. No way could I stay in touch with so many people if I tried to reach them all individually. Second - I garner some really interesting information thru articles and websites and can always count on someone responding if I'm gathering information on something. Third - it's just fun. Several times a day someone shares something that makes me laugh or touches my heart.
I always say that working alone as I do, my friends and family on Facebook are my "co-workers." Interacting with them on Facebook is how I can surround myself with people even though I am often just in my studio alone. Well, alone human-wise; I always have a dog or two and a cat with me but conversations with them are pretty one-sided.
I am a huge animal welfare enthusiast and have strong feelings about rescue dogs and cats and senior adoptions. So, of course, there is no lack of conversation on Facebook regarding those subjects and I soon found myself emotionally entrenched with all manner of rescue groups.
Recently I began to feel myself falling down the rabbit hole (so to speak) as day after day, post after post I saw an endless stream of animals in need. So many sad stories - some with happy endings, some not. It began to take a toll on me.
So yesterday I began unfollowing one page and then another. I guess I'm just not strong enough to see all the hurt in the world. I will always feel strongly about animal welfare and while I deeply admire and respect the people who physically are there for these rescue animals every day - there are things I can do quietly, do locally and do in other ways. It is just too much to see so much every day, all day.
The other positive action I took yesterday? I colored a very detailed drawing of a cat (not this one - that's my real cat, Kia) for over 7 hours. Yup - over 7 hours - and I'm still not done. And apparently I'm not the only one doing this.
However, let me explain why this is so out of character for me.
Growing up I was encouraged to be productive over playing. In fact I would be called inside from playing with friends to do needlework or some other productive task.
Now that I'm all grown up I have mixed feelings about this. I understand why I was raised this way; it is the way my Mother was raised. While I'm grateful for the creative skills I learned and continue to use in my creations to this day, I am sad I never learned how to play. Relaxing does not come easily. I feel guilty if I'm not being productive.
I'm 61. It's time to play.
"Asking someone to help you create is like asking someone to salt your food ~~ it has to be to your taste." *Edie Brickell*
When I heard that it clicked with me immediately. And I was reminded of times when well-meaning folk have tried to "help" me be creative. For the longest time I thought it was just my stubborn nature that rejected their advice. I know better now.
A friend walked along with me on a little photo shoot while we were vacationing together one time. It took a lot of patience (something I am not known for) to bite my tongue every time it was suggested "Oh you should shoot that ~ from this angle." "Oh come over here, get that." "Oh stand here."
In my head I'm screaming, "You're so good ~ why don't you pick up a damn camera and just do it yourself?"
Did I mention patience is not my strong suit?
And it is why custom orders of my little Whee Ones® et al are challenging for me. I almost always say yes to an idea and am usually pleased at the end result ~ particularly when the customer is pleased. But it's difficult. When I create a product I make a sketch and design a pattern. I tweak a lot and usually make a couple of prototypes before I see sitting in front of me what I envisioned in my head. So when I have to create someone else's vision ~ well, it is really a challenge.
Some are easier
than others...
All that being said, I have learned recently what it means to be a collaborative artist ~ to work with people as part of a team. It was challenging, yes; but really rewarding once it all started flowing. I learned so much not only creatively but personally. Although it was I who took images from a page and brought them to life, chances are I won't be credited with design. But that's part of the deal. And how things go sometimes. And how we learn to take things to the next level next time.
So I've learned I can do both ~ I can work alone and I can work as part of a team. Both are rewarding in different ways. In the end I am just grateful that I have this creative gene (thank you, Mom) and I have so many artistic interests I really could use more than one lifetime to master them all.
Oh, and that quote at the beginning of this post? The one from Edie Brickell? She is a singer/songwriter who just happens to be married to Paul Simon. For 20 years. Yeah. That Paul Simon. Her statement was in response to a question asking if his music influenced her music.
She's awesome.
