What happens in life if we do put artwork first, ahead of life's other demands? Yes, the home environment suffers in terms of organization and cleanliness. No question there (especially when living with Toby da Pug.) Truth is, though, things that need to get done, get done. My dad had the gift of not being able to see things around the house in their unfinished or imperfect state. He installed bedroom windows in the room I shared with my sister but somehow there was an unfilled opening below the windows through which cold air freely passed. His "office" room, where he and his dog spent most of his time, was a mass of clutter (but I feel sure he knew exactly where everything was.) As he was plagued by an arthritic condition throughout his body, and had very little energy, too, he learned not to see the mess around him as a problem, and it wasn't one. How much stress we bring on ourselves about the "shoulds" is negotiable. Yes, we need to have clean clothes, to eat, and to be able to safely navigate our living spaces, but we also need to keep our inner spaces balanced and organized, too.
This week I'm trying not to see the level of domestic chaos in my house and focus on getting my current piece of art finished -- this makes a different aspect of my life better. I haven't had a "big" piece that I felt truly engaged with in several years. A large beaded piece requires hours and hours of commitment and work. The spark of fun and unknowing has to be present. It can't be too predictable, it has to have room for surprises.
It has to have meaning and a power of it's own that reveals itself to me as it is made. It might look meaningless to others, but there are cues and little epiphanies in my larger pieces that fuel their production. It is a special feeling to have a work of art grow from a small piece of an idea into a well developed, finished artwork. I'm not sure where the ideas and the paths the artworks take truly come from. Especially at the beading stage -- I feel like I am just part of the process, and the idea passes through my hands from an unseen source. I love that magical part about making artwork. When the piece is done, I feel a sense of satisfaction much more meaningful than having a spotless floor or repainted walls. Although those things would be really nice to have, too!
What will you make today? I think I am going to bead until I drop. A true vacation day.