The Search For Balance and Focus

Lest you think I've been sitting on my duff--think again. I have been!
Painting that is!
I've completed my Winter in NY series--but may add one more piece to the mix if I have a chance.
Time. Time. Time. It's a constant struggle to make enough time to do what we love to do.


Staying up till 1-2am most nights will wear at you especially if you are working
full time during the day. Oddly enough, I'm really not complaining. Just
working on ways to keep my energy level up and to BE THERE for everyone and
everything. Maybe there's not a way to do it all. Maybe some do it better than others.


I do feel blessed that I learned determination from my Mother.
It's a trait she instilled in us to keep plugging away at whatever it
is that we want to do and not give up.

So, now I'm working on a way to make my dream a reality and
to be able to really afford it. That is, I am working towards being
a full time working artist and have a nest egg stashed away so I don't
fret in the down times. It's going to require me to work my tail off for
2-3 years doing it all. Maybe working 14-16-18 hours a day some days.
It's going to require me to pay down my debt and stash a good chunk of
money away in savings for those down times that will surely come like an
ebb and flow. I met with my local artist guild this evening and this was a
very hot topic for many of us. The beauty of doing what you love comes with
a price. The worries, the anxiety, the struggle, and then the joy, the passion, the
self satisfaction follow--sometimes on a daily basis.


One thing that resonated with everyone, is to do what you love because
if you wait until a better day, a better year, a better time....it may be too
late. But you also must do what pays the bills and be smart in how you
market yourself, your work, your products. Be willing to change if the
times are changing, the trends, the competition. Stay a step ahead, but
at the same time--stay with you heart. Everything else will come together.

For me, it's a matter of creating a body of work that is distinctly mine and
getting myself out in the world in the way I want to be known, to be heard.
Finding a niche and exploring every angle of it. In order to do this, I need
to be fully committed, and 100% dedicated. I am. I will be. But there are days of
doubt. But I am grateful I am able to do this now, I'm grateful for finding it in
me again after a long respite of 20 years or so.

These pieces are for a collection that I will be offering at the Fayetteville
Museum of Art. The good news I eluded to in my earlier post was that I
am going to be their featured artist in their show starting November 7th. I can
hardly believe it! Me???? How did this happen? Would you believe, I was
found by one of the directors through my Etsy shop because of my little itty
bitty magnets?? My magnets. And then one thing led to another and before I knew it,
they asked me to do this. Amazing. I'm blessed, I'm lucky, and I'm honored all at the
same time. I'm also energized even more so than ever to keep pushing myself
to do better work, and to keep up my pace with even more determination.

I hope that doors continue to open, but in order for that to happen, I must keep
my eye to the future and roll with the punches and take the opportunities that
are put before me and run with it. Thank you for your support. I greatly appreciated
comments!


To see more of these pieces-please check out my flickr page!
***
For the winners of my contest, I haven't forgotten about you--apologize for the
mail delay. I will get your prizes out to you as soon as possible!!

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I hope that whatever it is in your heart that stirs a passion and determination, you
follow your dreams and chase after it with every bit of resolve that you can muster.
Things will happen for you! It's the Secret of life!!!! :)