Studio Note #3
This has been a week of sporadic studio time and scattered thoughts. School is winding down for my son and we leave for a vacation soon after that. I have multiple to-do lists going on at the same time and it feels like I’m forgetting things left and right.
Despite there being a lot going on, I feel as if I am on the verge of a growth spurt in my art practice. As much as I want to speed ahead and get there, wherever there is, I know I need to slow down. Especially because I will be gone for a week. I don’t want to dive into something then have to leave, so I’m calling on myself to slow my pace. This will allow me to listen to and observe what I’m thinking and feeling about this new area I want to explore in my art.
The excitement of what’s ahead makes me want to get to the good stuff right now, but I know I need to wait. It is normal to want to skip ahead, but then you miss all the juicy bits that come from the pauses. So, as much as I’m raring to go, I am consciously slowing my steps. I’m listening and waiting. I’m gathering information that is being tucked away until it’s time to bring it out to play.
Slowing my steps and pausing looks like: daydreaming with my morning coffee; walking the dog and paying attention to the sights and smells around me; continuing my daily sketchbook play; and prepping boards and paper for future project. It’s organizing my studio. It’s listening to music. It’s listening to the birds. It’s moving through life, as usual, but with senses that are more heightened. It’s taking notes and paying attention to those nudges that are making themselves known.
I recently heard someone describe their process for a series they are working on as growing them calmly without wanting much. Can you even? Are you swooning? I find that statement to be so lovely and so profound.
Grow them calmly without wanting much. That sums up my practice right now. Until school is out and we’re back from vacation, I will grow calmly without wanting much. What are you going to take into your week? Whatever it is, I hope you have some moments where you can slow down, pause and listen. See you next week with another studio note.
