Tuesday, January 17, 2012

step by step


Sorry ya'll I just did not have the energy to write yesterday. I have been trying to listen to myself a little more and take a bit of the pressure off. I have a lot of great opportunities going on around me which is wonderful but with that I can easily allow myself to get totally stressed out and turn the pressure cooker on. And that never helps, it just makes things worse.

I know that part of my stress is residual from the move. I was talking to a friend in Brooklyn yesterday and through that conversation I had to face all the fear I still have attached to leaving. I have great opportunities now but as an artist you are also always looking for the great things in the future and there is a huge part of me that fears that opportunities might dry up now that I am no longer in the city. Intellectually I argue that, I know that this is not the case, especially since I will continue to go back to do things regularly and be aware of the scene, and know so many amazing and successful folks not anywhere near the city. But the gnawing thought still sits there as a little layer of fear that I have yet to shed.

But alas I do feel good progress coming in my work, thought not necessarily quick enough for my deadlines. But I am SO close to finishing my most recent larger text piece, took a new photo this weekend for a narrative portrait that will be gorgeous, got a rough, rough draft for my article written, and am really excited to get back to working on my image based works (though the break from them was SO nice.) So step by step we all move forward.

3 comments:

Cate Rose said...

Are you satin stitching all those letters??
I realize you're likely too young yet to even think about these things, but do take care of your hands. Because with all the handwork you do, eventually they will begin to bother you in one way or another. Unless you have hands of steel -- and none of us do. And with age we get to a place of diminishing returns where even with treatment or therapy or rest, our hands never fully recover their capacities of our youth.
I'm not meaning to harp, just speaking from experience.

Anonymous said...

i'm 63 and have worked as an artist and sculpture my whole life.

i've probably painted over 40 huge minimal paintings, and used my hands over and over again on a lot of very difficult metal sculptures.

now 63 and NO hand problems, no eye problems, just show problems!

don't worry use them and enjoy being an artist!

Joetta M. said...

thanks to both of you for your comments. I do take time to think about my hands stretching them and giving them rest. I think all artists fear the process of aging on their hands and eyes. But at the same time we must make as we are compelled. And so I just try to be mindful but I am simply what I am making what I can and if my body changes & stops me I will just have to change along with it:)