“Decision fatigue” drains more energy than the paintings ever will.”
I read this the other day from another artist and I could not agree more.
Sometimes I feel like I get a “painting day” and I get so happy. Nothing else on the calendar. No one to take care of but me. Time to create!
And then it happens… Where did I put that canvas? Do I really need to do thumbnails? Would this painting be better as a horizontal? Where did I put that brush. Lemon yellow or Cadmium? Its exhausting.
And now I need a snack….
Some days I crank things out with no thought and no worries. Golden days. But they are rare. So I have tried to force myself over the years to carve out a little bit of time for work throughout the day rather than waiting for the perfect time or the perfect mood because a perfect storm rarely happens. An hour free? Some sketches. Stuck in a car waiting to pick up a friend at the airport? Design a composition. Jot down a goal.
I have so many students tell me that they just don’t have time to paint in between classes and I think about the fairy tale, “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” An impoverished shoemaker leaves out his last bit of leather to make shoes for the next day and voila! The next morning the shoes are made. Turns out naked elves came in the middle of the night and made them for him. He prospers. Gets more leather. Elves make more shoes. I love that idea. But little naked elves are not going to come along and finish my paintings for me. I have to carve out the time. I have to make decisions. And then build on those decisions to make stronger ones. And if I waited until the perfect time to paint, well, I would never paint. Because an artist is about making decisions. Then making a few more. Not the shows. Not even the sales. The work, which is comprised of one decision on top of another.
So if you find yourself floating through a studio session and not really accomplishing much, stop and make one decision. Set it in stone and make another. (I know. It’s hard) Lock in a color harmony. Lock in the design. Just take one hour and make it yours and then when you can actually apply paint, (even for an hour) channel those decisions into an image.
Then go get that snack.
THANKS FOR SHARING ! I’m working on the discipline to prioritize Art / studio time … sometimes I’m like that dog in the animated movie UP! “SQUIRREL”!!!!! Living alone owning a home can be very distracting…and withdrawal sets in without art time.
absolutely.
Today’s post came at a perfect time! Yes, I’ve not been wanting to paint because of hard decisions.
Also, I just finished RN’s In Case I Go Missing, and WOW! I remember when you were here in Georgetown and she was being courted by agents and publishers. And now I’m recommending it to my book club. Can’t wait to see the next one. What a good Mom, encouraging her all these years.
Jane
yes! The book is so good. It is right now sitting at #7 in the UK! For those that don’t know, my daughter is a professional murder mystery writer with Penguin Random House in the US and with McMillan in the UK. Find it anywhere. “In Case I Go Missing” by R.N.Swann.
Ohhhh It’s So Good to know that the Best o The Best have the Same perennial Struggles. Thank you So much. I will raise my next Tea break to You Dear One
Ah, and a cookie and tea salute back to you!
I had to smile on this one. I saw myself in the mirror. I’d bet many of us did. Have a blessed day. And enjoy the snack!
thanks!