Sleep? Isn’t that just a lack of caffeine?

This popped up on my Facebook news feed this week:

The battle rages on in this house. I’m a stay-at-home-mom of a very busy toddler. When he’s down for a nap I heavily debate between working down in the studio or taking a much needed nap myself. Often times I wind up doing laundry, or dishes, or weeding the garden, or even sitting on the computer writing a blog post.

Time management is something that ALL artists struggle with. Only a lucky few are successful enough to be able work in the studio full time. Most artists need to have other jobs to support their artistic practice, which can take a lot of time and energy away from their art. The ability to spend large quantities of time in the studio simply becomes non-existent.

Reflecting upon my own work, I have come to realize that my creative process itself evolved out of my inability to spend hours at a stretch in the studio. When I was completing my degree at the U of A I was never able to spend the long hours (or all-nighters) in the studio that my classmates were, as I lived out of town and commuted every day on a set schedule. By my last year in school I developed a style and technique which complemented my tight schedule quite nicely. My paintings developed into works which were heavily layered with translucent paint. It would take hours for a layer to dry before I could add another. So in between paint applications I could grab a much needed coffee, mix paint, prepare stretchers, and complete assignments for other classes. Just before I rushed out of the studio to catch the bus I would add the day’s last layer to the paintings I was working on, so they would be dry and ready for me when I returned in the morning.

Even now, working from home, much of the time it takes for me to finish a painting is waiting on a layer of paint to dry before I pour on another. This “pour and wait” technique allows me to pop down to the studio while my son is occupied (say, eating breakfast or something) and add a layer to a painting. I’ll check in on it periodically as it dries, mulling the painting over in my head. By the time that layer is dry, I will have reflected on the painting enough to know what colour or pattern will be added to the painting next. If there is something that will require a longer period of time, I’ll usually wait until my son is in bed so I can focus on the task at hand.

I feel wonderfully blessed that I am able to stay home with my son and watch him grow. I feel doubly blessed that this also allows me to pursue a career as an artist.  I need to remind myself of these blessings on a daily basis and take advantage of the time and talent I have been given. And the Tassimo machine.

 

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Hey look! I didn’t forget about Retro Art of the Week this time!

Laid Down

Laid Down, Acrylic on Canvas with holographic additives, 23 x 55″, 2007

Inspired by: Psalm 23.

One thought on “Sleep? Isn’t that just a lack of caffeine?

  1. Elizabeth

    That you get to stay home and watch your son grow makes me very happy too. I got goosebumps thinking about how wonderful that is!

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