Thank you Lesley for your authenticity! I am newly widowed 63 yr. old . We had 42 yrs of a wonderful marriage. I am a mom of 4 sons and we have 2 grandaughters and another one on the way! I'm in a 'new normal" without my husband. All of the sudden I do have time and room to create! Because of the grief I am just now starting to feel "creative". I want to create a memory quilt with photos, quilts from his clothing and some art with his ties. This is taking alot longer to start than what I thought it would. So many memories attached to everything...but art...creating...allows me to lose track of time and play again! I look forward to your writing and art because you encourage play and exploration. Thank you Lesley! I live in Virginia and would love to get to one of your local workshops! ;) Linda Noel
Hi Linda. am sorry to hear about your new normal. I understand why it is slow going but art does heal. Turning his clothing into a memory quilt is a wonderful way to work through it. Sending love your way. Enjoy the granddaughters + one. Would love to meet you one day.
I am a creature of habit- so getting art into my life on a consistent basis was choosing where to place it in my day. I adore early mornings, so brewing that cup of tea (another wonderful habit) and going into my art room as soon as I completed the beverage was the answer to more time creating. Now it’s 7 days a week, usually a minimum of 2 hours. It replaces a routine I thought was necessary( watching the morning news) and gives me access to my artists heart. Win-win.
Your promptings to consider “now “as the time to live and explore our creative process brings magic to the whole day. Thank you❤️
How wonderful. Reading this gives me a big smile. I had to give up the morning news because I didn't want to start my day crying. I think that started during Covid. Now we both start our days on a happy note. Wonderful habit! Thanks for shaing.
Love these thoughts on creating and committing. I've taken the 'clock' out of my art. It has given me freedom to pop into the studio and work/play for an hour if that's the amount of time I have or pack a lunch and go for the day. By holding fast to a prescribed amount of time to spend in the studio, I was hampering my creative flow and I find, this is working much better for me. And, strangely enough, I'm spending more time there!
I am wondering how you kept your focus or how you found something you were so passionate about that you wanted to continue it? I have tried various things but have not found that one thing or a series that holds my attention ... yet. Plus, I am a full time caretaker of my 84 year old mom going blind. I am trying to use the first 2 hours of the day but find them taken up with chores most of the time.
Chores can wait. Assign them to one or 2 mornings and 2 for yourself, and 2 to use at your discretion. Especially if you are a caretaker you need something that replenishes the soul. As for the focus, just keep trying everything - it took me years to find my focus and even now I switch around a lot. Ask yourself, what is it about other people work that draws me in, and then follow that for a while. Report back!
I do not know HOW in the world you did it!!!??? I look forward to hearing more tips from you in the following weeks. When my girls were small, I set aside Sunday Sew Days (afternoons after church) and that kept me going. It was the one time I could give myself a few hours. I still took classes, went to quilt shows and quilt shops to see what quilters were doing and to meet friends. Often, my girls went along with me. I also worked at night after they went to sleep. I continue to work at night for about 2 hours from 8-10 or 9-11. I enjoy this time and my studio IS my living room so in my small house, I do not have far to go. LOL.
That's great the you are taking the time and it is right there in front of you. I juggled a lot but the artmaking was my salvation from the rest of the stuff. I woke each day thinking, "Maybe today is the day I'll have some art time." Sometimes it wasn't but I'd say to myself, just do it for 5 minutes. % always turned into 10, then 30, then sleep. Babysteps!
For sure! When raising my girls, my ONLY break for about 8 years was one weekend a year and that is the weekend I went to the Houston Quilt Show and it was enough to have that highlight for the year. However, I always kept my passion for fabric, color and creating .... even when everything was in storage for years. I would have one little sewing machine with me and some thread, notions and fabric. So, that is what I see in you, the passion and the drive to create. It is part of us. It is not ever going to go away.
I’m in transition between working at home three days a week and retiring at the end of September. My work space (my paid job) and creative space are both in my studio and, as I get closer to retirement, I find myself more and more reluctant to put my art supplies and current project away to clear space for work. Right now my studio table is full of paints, papers, stamps and stencils for the creative project I’m in the middle of and I don’t want to put it away. So, at least for this week, I’ll find somewhere else in the house to do my paid job and give my creativity priority by not “cleaning up”!
Yay for retirement. But even better, you're prioritizing your space. Paid job feeds the body, art feeds the soul. Congratulations on giving it priority in this transition phase. I learned early on that if you have to put it away, it's really hard to start up again. Would getting a cheap folding table help? I have 3 of those now because I'm always working on several projects.
My husband built a studio for me this year, I longed to create in my space. Three months before it was completed, we decided to sell our home and move into my 800 sq ft studio. Your post today really hits home. My thoughts turned to simple life, more time to create. This past week we sold the house and moved into the studio. Now I find myself trying to create an efficient life in a space 1/4 the size of my previous home without a dedicated studio. I’m longing to get to the place in life where I can create daily.
I started small because space was hard to find. And there was that time when my space was my bed. Then it was the dining room table when I needed more space. You find it and grab it. I've always said it's you house and you can use it anyway you want. Of course I have a very understanding husband. If yours built the studio, I image he is an understanding one. Keep me posted.
I have asked myself the question "Does this (project, group, commitment, etc...) intrigue me? That's what I think helps me to shed those parts of my life that just take up time; my most important resource. What clarifying questions do you use to point the way?
One of the reasons I have followed you for so many years is because I too have 6 kids and an assign to keep creating. One thing I did was claim a table in an extra wide hallway that I walk through multiple times a day. I can lay down a layer of paint or collage in a few stolen minutes here and there. Works great!
Perfect space! It's the ability to create at a moment's notice that keeps us in flow. That's exactly how I started. Kudos on utilizing such a great space. (And on raising 6 kids!)
Thank you Lesley for your authenticity! I am newly widowed 63 yr. old . We had 42 yrs of a wonderful marriage. I am a mom of 4 sons and we have 2 grandaughters and another one on the way! I'm in a 'new normal" without my husband. All of the sudden I do have time and room to create! Because of the grief I am just now starting to feel "creative". I want to create a memory quilt with photos, quilts from his clothing and some art with his ties. This is taking alot longer to start than what I thought it would. So many memories attached to everything...but art...creating...allows me to lose track of time and play again! I look forward to your writing and art because you encourage play and exploration. Thank you Lesley! I live in Virginia and would love to get to one of your local workshops! ;) Linda Noel
Hi Linda. am sorry to hear about your new normal. I understand why it is slow going but art does heal. Turning his clothing into a memory quilt is a wonderful way to work through it. Sending love your way. Enjoy the granddaughters + one. Would love to meet you one day.
I am a creature of habit- so getting art into my life on a consistent basis was choosing where to place it in my day. I adore early mornings, so brewing that cup of tea (another wonderful habit) and going into my art room as soon as I completed the beverage was the answer to more time creating. Now it’s 7 days a week, usually a minimum of 2 hours. It replaces a routine I thought was necessary( watching the morning news) and gives me access to my artists heart. Win-win.
Your promptings to consider “now “as the time to live and explore our creative process brings magic to the whole day. Thank you❤️
How wonderful. Reading this gives me a big smile. I had to give up the morning news because I didn't want to start my day crying. I think that started during Covid. Now we both start our days on a happy note. Wonderful habit! Thanks for shaing.
Love these thoughts on creating and committing. I've taken the 'clock' out of my art. It has given me freedom to pop into the studio and work/play for an hour if that's the amount of time I have or pack a lunch and go for the day. By holding fast to a prescribed amount of time to spend in the studio, I was hampering my creative flow and I find, this is working much better for me. And, strangely enough, I'm spending more time there!
Yes! Create by the heart, not the clock. So glad you are creating up a whirlwind.
I am wondering how you kept your focus or how you found something you were so passionate about that you wanted to continue it? I have tried various things but have not found that one thing or a series that holds my attention ... yet. Plus, I am a full time caretaker of my 84 year old mom going blind. I am trying to use the first 2 hours of the day but find them taken up with chores most of the time.
Chores can wait. Assign them to one or 2 mornings and 2 for yourself, and 2 to use at your discretion. Especially if you are a caretaker you need something that replenishes the soul. As for the focus, just keep trying everything - it took me years to find my focus and even now I switch around a lot. Ask yourself, what is it about other people work that draws me in, and then follow that for a while. Report back!
Thank you! Great suggestions!
I do not know HOW in the world you did it!!!??? I look forward to hearing more tips from you in the following weeks. When my girls were small, I set aside Sunday Sew Days (afternoons after church) and that kept me going. It was the one time I could give myself a few hours. I still took classes, went to quilt shows and quilt shops to see what quilters were doing and to meet friends. Often, my girls went along with me. I also worked at night after they went to sleep. I continue to work at night for about 2 hours from 8-10 or 9-11. I enjoy this time and my studio IS my living room so in my small house, I do not have far to go. LOL.
That's great the you are taking the time and it is right there in front of you. I juggled a lot but the artmaking was my salvation from the rest of the stuff. I woke each day thinking, "Maybe today is the day I'll have some art time." Sometimes it wasn't but I'd say to myself, just do it for 5 minutes. % always turned into 10, then 30, then sleep. Babysteps!
For sure! When raising my girls, my ONLY break for about 8 years was one weekend a year and that is the weekend I went to the Houston Quilt Show and it was enough to have that highlight for the year. However, I always kept my passion for fabric, color and creating .... even when everything was in storage for years. I would have one little sewing machine with me and some thread, notions and fabric. So, that is what I see in you, the passion and the drive to create. It is part of us. It is not ever going to go away.
So true.
I’m in transition between working at home three days a week and retiring at the end of September. My work space (my paid job) and creative space are both in my studio and, as I get closer to retirement, I find myself more and more reluctant to put my art supplies and current project away to clear space for work. Right now my studio table is full of paints, papers, stamps and stencils for the creative project I’m in the middle of and I don’t want to put it away. So, at least for this week, I’ll find somewhere else in the house to do my paid job and give my creativity priority by not “cleaning up”!
Yay for retirement. But even better, you're prioritizing your space. Paid job feeds the body, art feeds the soul. Congratulations on giving it priority in this transition phase. I learned early on that if you have to put it away, it's really hard to start up again. Would getting a cheap folding table help? I have 3 of those now because I'm always working on several projects.
Thanks, Lesley. I do have folding tables so the plan is to put a couple up in one of the bedrooms where there is space to work.
My husband built a studio for me this year, I longed to create in my space. Three months before it was completed, we decided to sell our home and move into my 800 sq ft studio. Your post today really hits home. My thoughts turned to simple life, more time to create. This past week we sold the house and moved into the studio. Now I find myself trying to create an efficient life in a space 1/4 the size of my previous home without a dedicated studio. I’m longing to get to the place in life where I can create daily.
I started small because space was hard to find. And there was that time when my space was my bed. Then it was the dining room table when I needed more space. You find it and grab it. I've always said it's you house and you can use it anyway you want. Of course I have a very understanding husband. If yours built the studio, I image he is an understanding one. Keep me posted.
I have asked myself the question "Does this (project, group, commitment, etc...) intrigue me? That's what I think helps me to shed those parts of my life that just take up time; my most important resource. What clarifying questions do you use to point the way?
I would say my question is “will this add to or take away time and interest from my main focus?”
One of the reasons I have followed you for so many years is because I too have 6 kids and an assign to keep creating. One thing I did was claim a table in an extra wide hallway that I walk through multiple times a day. I can lay down a layer of paint or collage in a few stolen minutes here and there. Works great!
Perfect space! It's the ability to create at a moment's notice that keeps us in flow. That's exactly how I started. Kudos on utilizing such a great space. (And on raising 6 kids!)