Entry: gotta stop talking, start painting Monday, April 25, 2005

Man, I been talking too much. This morning I gave another how working artists work talk and on wednesday I'll blah blah blah about early 20th century american art (thus the Dove, the Hartley, the Burchfield books on my table). I've been calling old friends and I seem to have opinions about everything. But before I say another word, I'm gonna promise myself and you (my dear readers) something.

In a few minutes I'm stepping into the room in which I paint and I'm not going to read and prepare for a talk (that's done enough), and I'm not going to write another chatty letter to a friend (they know I love 'em), and I'm not going to clean. These are all tried and true avoidance techniques. When really, if I simply face the challenges all those (yes, too many projects in process is part of the problem) stops and starts have, I will feel better. The more I talk and the less I work the more the fear of being a faker comes in.

I'll paint today, hit the wheel after work tomorrow, throw a bit more on wednesday maybe and start in on that new sketchbook I'm ready for. I'll take my lunches sketching again. If you don't hear from me, don't worry, kids, it means I'm busy doing what I'm supposed to do. Shut up and paint. So, talk amongst yourselves, I'm going to get busy now.

take care,
Rachael

   6 comments

davidc
May 2, 2005   06:45 PM PDT
 
Ouch! You hit a nerve with the avoidance techniques thing. Lucky, or not, depending on how you look at it, I have a high tolerance for pain, and it didn't hurt quite enough to keep me from doing an Arthur Dove image seach on Google...yet another tried and true avoidance technique. I'm glad I did. It's unusual to find such a high percentage of images in the "I have no idea what this it, but it is powerfully attractive" category.

Elise
April 30, 2005   05:12 AM PDT
 
arg, I perpetrated my own worst pet peeve: it's as a plural!

I meant to say, "it is its own art form" see, those of us who can't write need those of you who can!
Elise
April 30, 2005   05:09 AM PDT
 
I know it's hard to find a balance, but please don't stop talking and writing, it is it's own art form and we all appreciate it!
jim
April 27, 2005   09:34 PM PDT
 
Getting started is certainly the most difficult step in creating something. If you want to have a look at my art check out Horseman Productions at htttp://www.horsemanproductions.com I really enjoy your blog and I hope that you continue it.
lisalisa
April 26, 2005   05:45 PM PDT
 
hey rach
you are tha best
i wish you had time to publish these -- write/paint a zine...
we all miss you
la
mark
April 25, 2005   09:22 PM PDT
 
ok, as if i needed any other reason: these last two posts solidify my position- you're my real person artmaking hero these days. I copied both these entries, a couple of my students will have them in their mailboxes in the morning. all of us are faced with the same challenges, thanks for being a positive example of a working artist. keep an eye on the mail, pkg coming your way ifn i finish the decoration tonight.

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