Hello. How's life treating you these days? I have been busy sorting out and reorganizing my agenda for the last couple of days, and yesterday it hit me that my To Do List has been terrifyingly growing longer each day! Seriously, I've added at least one task to my list every other day and I seem to take more time crossing things off. That can't be good, right? At the end I realized that I have been working too much on commissions, marketing and technicality, spending less and less time to create my personal art... something that's actually very important to me and crucial to my own personal growth as an artist.
I know it's probably getting old, but balance is such a slippery little devil, isn't it? What I want to do is to keep it nice and steady in my hand, but all it seems to be doing is slipping right off! I guess I might have a much better grasp if I had less to focus on. Maybe it's yet another time for me to set my priorities straight...
Well anyway, on the other hand, I'm glad I managed to force myself to work on this idea I've had for some time. I can't tell you how satisfying it was to actually do something that was purely me, without any brief to follow or audience to please. If you've ever experienced anything like this before, please feel free to share...I'm sure we could all use some tips! (^_^)
Have a lovely day, everyone!
Hi Amelia, what a lovey piece this is! Your work is really so beautiful. Your post struck a chord with me, and I think it's an issue so many of us face...especially those of us that are trying to make a living doing what we love.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a fine line to walk...trying to balance the everyday realities of running and promoting your business, while still trying to stay creative and fresh and connected to what it was that brought you to where you are in the first place!
I've often struggled with the same feelings you've described and I have recently come to the conclusion that true balance is a myth, lol. I think that when you are really passionate about what you do and try to make it your business, it's a constant state of highs and lows. A never ending ebb and flow of energy and trying to manage it all. My life is quite messy at the best of times, and although there is the little inner voice that tells me I need to somehow "clean it up" and balance it out....I've decided to just try and go with it. Relish in my chaos if you will, lol, and really try to enjoy those moments of pure creative fun like you described above. Not sure if it makes sense, but it's my strategy for the moment!
Thank you for your words of wisdom, Angela. I guess you have a point about just accepting everything and go with the flow. It's true that when you care so much about what you're doing, it automatically turns into "headline" every single day. I think I might try that strategy of yours! ;)
DeleteBalance has always been my goal too. But I find that just as soon as I feel all balanced, something comes along to tip the scale and I start all over again. I think it's an ongoing process all your life. This new piece is adorable. Your work always makes me smile and feel very content about things. I should buy one and hang it on my wall to help keep my own balance!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! It's so frustrating to work so hard to find balance in your life when your life is already hard work by itself. And thank you for saying such a sweet thing about my art... It would be awesome to have one of them on your wall! :))
DeleteOh, this is wonderful. When you find the key to balance, please let me have a copy of it ;) It's a constant struggle and one that tips back and forth depending on what's going on. Such is life I guess ;) Hugs Amalia
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Karen... although I think some people seem to have succeeded a lot more easily that us. Maybe we should ask them for a copy?? LOL.
DeleteI am in total agreement on the growing to-do list. I'm so glad you found the time to reward yourself and do this piece, it's so pretty, sweet, and delicately drawn. As always, a beauty to look at.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Veronica! :)
DeleteIt is so good that you recognized the need to stop and nurture your own desires...
ReplyDeleteWe get so caught up in pleasing and doing things for and taking care of others....we all need a little time spent just for us :)
This candyland girl looks lost in a dream....
Hear, hear! I can live with that! Haha! Thank you, Cam. *hugs*
DeleteIt's a problem for many of us. I thought of having a timetable to my week but I find other things crop up I need to fit in and then the whole thing goes kapput! I tried not having a list for a few months to see if I could tackle things as they came but it had a terrible effect on me and I ended up doing very little and feeling very stressed about that. My answer is to have a list of things you need to do and if they don't get completed on the day, list them again the next day until they disappear!
ReplyDeleteThis drawing of yours is gorgeous, I love how your lines look so perfect.:)
Jess xx
I can totally relate to that! I guess sometimes it's best to be flexible to avoid the stress. Thanks for sharing, Jess! OX
DeleteLovely piece! I really like it! I have a lot of trouble with the balance. Not just life and work, but which parts of work. Too much in one direction causes so many others to start tipping! Oh, and on the list of things to do - I'm in the same boat! I keep adding things, and for every 5 I add, I only seem to knock 1 off. I wish I could give up sleeping or something. Maybe then I'd get things all done!
ReplyDeleteHaha! If you give up sleeping then you'd probably end up falling asleep on the job and the list might get even longer! :D
DeleteHello, I've just come upon your wonderful art through Tammie Lee's blog, your work is so enchanting and touches me to the core, the child inside me comes alive looking at your art work, wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Kat. Welcome! Thanks so much for your kind words...
DeleteOhhhh Amalia!!! This is simply one of my all-time favorites of yours!!! I really mean that. It comes from the heart and it shines..it really does. Your concept adds such a whimsical feel to this beautifully crafted piece. I can spot your work anywhere. I am thankful for your sweet visit recently..you are such a gem of a friend! Have a lovely, lovely rest of the weekend my friend.
ReplyDeleteTo reach a balance between your personal and professional life, wishes and duties, lack of time and necessity to recover... it's so difficult! Sometimes it turns out to be possible, but then something new occirs that ruins the transitory harmony... Balance is some kind of a perfection. And is almost impossible to be achieved. But it is good and useful as a goal;as a longing; as a dream...
ReplyDeleteI like this drawing so much, Amalia! Its lines are perfect, its atmosphere - so quiet and tender. It's wonderful that you have found time to do something that pleases YOU. I agree that one should listen to his heart more often . And to find some mintues/hours for himself. I'm just wondering how you succeed to do everything that you do, to manage with your everyday tasks... You are very strong!:) Kisses!xx
Just found your beautiful blog... Your artwork is gorgeous, can't wait to ead your old posts to see more of your work.
ReplyDeletehttp://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
Well, I've often been there! The woes of the modern artist... We have to not only be artists but also managers, marketing experts... and getting lost is very much expected. But it is great when we get back on track. Funny, I've had the exact same thoughts recently and yet have been unable to create. If only days were longer!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely is your blog!! Gorgeous work!
ReplyDelete