Accepting where I am
Surprisingly, I’ve found that screwing up helped my creativity, along with embracing the chaos in my construction-site home.
Much of the chaos has stemmed from the upset of schedules and life in general. I’ve had to accept my current situation in order to flourish.
Indeed, it seems to me that most of life transpires while I’m waiting for the “I’ll be happy when”!
Make no mistake! I do look forward to finishing the remodel of my home. I also know, undoubtedly, that getting there requires me to be on the working end of a paint roller…which will commence reasonably soon.
Deciding on Joy midst the craziness
Early on in the build, I had to make the decision I would remain joyful and seek to appreciate this onerous chapter of my life. It is difficult, sometimes, but not impossible.
Our stuff formerly in Bill’s office, the bathroom, the laundry, toilet, and two hall cupboards, is now stacked and piled in our lounge-dining area.
The living room was slated for early floor replacement, but, had to be postponed. So, the carpet was stripped and our furniture shoved into the far corner.
Perfect storm for incredible fun
What’s left is a big empty rimu floor, and two office chairs. On wheels.
This may sound really inane, but, we’ve had a blast! Nestled in our respective office chairs, we warm right up by the fire, listening to Pat Metheny tunes, eating our evening meal, talking, lots of talking, Bill marking school papers, me reading War and Peace and finalising building plans.
And, then…we zip around on our office chairs because…well…because we can and, most likely, will never again have the “perfect storm” in which to do such quirky things.
With everything stacked around us, and doing life in the middle of a construction site, we’ve decided being precious right now is an exercise in futility.
Screwing up helped my creativity
How does this relate to art?
For one, I’ve abandoned being precious in the studio. For now.
My mark making takes off in all kinds of directions. Oh, no! Did I make a mistake? No worries. It will be alright. I want to be in the moment. Much like zipping across the bare lounge floor in my office chair. It’s fun. I could mess up the work. Or, perhaps, make it completely amazing. It’s not important. Embracing chaos and screwing up were the principal aims.
The point is to make the most of where the work is, at that particular moment, and to release my inhibitions.
I can hardly wait to show you how this abandonment of propriety and preciousness is manifesting itself in my studio.
Your turn
What are some of the challenges you’ve overcome to create art? Did you make any “rules”.
What situations have you had to embrace and just go with the flow in order to flourish? How did you cope?
