The Past Is Over: Now Is The Now
Putting together a small portfolio of graphic art for kids this weekend and I became aware in a visceral way that the past is done and only the now matters. I’ve been away from doing much graphic art work for a few years now but thought I’d like to make a bit more moulah because that matters too and makes certain things possible. I’ve been focusing on doing my true work because I can now but it’s also really a fine thing to be able to put out some good fun to the wee folks on the planet. I’ve done hundreds, if not thousands, of drawings for publication over the years so I thought it would be nothing to drag out some images and put together a mailer just like I did when that was my primary focus.
But it was not easy. It was downright depressing. Some of the old stuff I liked. I even liked it a lot. I throw the other stuff away mostly. But even so, I wasn’t happy. The past is over. Done. Whatever I do now needs to be created from this moment in time. So down I sat. I wanted to do something fiercer, richer, freer.
The thrill of making art for me is discovering what is possible. It’s an endless quest, a constant surprise and, if you do it right, you’re connecting with an unseen stream of present moment energy which you’re getting to make manifest.
But that was the latter part of my day. I started out this morning by making a small painting for a lovely young woman who gave me an amazing acupuncture treatment a couple of days ago and then charged me the ‘friends’ rate. I’m a fan of acupuncture and know its wondrous benefits and also that it reaches into the same realms that art does. The wee painting was to say thank you but, in fact, it gave me a great gift. It revealed another possibility for imagery and I went on to make two more.
So it’s been an art day, an unexpected one. A day in which I just followed the energy. A good day. And the drawing here is one I did towards the end of the day along with many others. Tomorrow more. It’s amazing what gets done when you get out of your own way. If only I could remember that.
September 16th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Well, I’m glad you’re posting it here so you can remember it… and remind the rest of us. I’ve been standing squarely in my own way every day lately, and the log-jam of thoughts and words and movement and songs is so dense and unnavigable, I could cry.
September 16th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Oh, wish it weren’t so but trust it’s all perfect somehow.
September 17th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
mdf, Kelly,
Sometimes (often) when I’m at the studio, I feel like I’m just wasting time…and maybe I am. There are many days when ‘IT’ doesn’t happen, for no reason at all. So I sit it out, listen to Classic FM, drink tea,coffee,wine,water and wait. My work is right in front of me and yet a thousand miles away. So, if it’s not raining, I take a walk. Eventually I get bored and make one stroke then another and with any luck, I paint my way out of it. Thing is, there is a LOT of thought, yes, thought, but in a visual way. ‘Where’s this going’ etc. You’ve heard it all before.
Depression is the affliction of the Artist. Down here where there’s an artist on every corner, it’s called the ‘Black Dog’. The little dog above has an artist’s expression and makes me laugh. Think I’ll colour him black and post him on the wall.
I’m doing all right at the moment. You’ll be seeing new work v.soon. I’ve called my elusive web man and it won’t be long now before it is up and running. Meanwhile…breath in, breath out. xx
September 17th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Also? I love the new banner!!
September 17th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Thanks, Kelly. That’s Picasso and Matisse in the wee photos but hard to recognize…may have to blow up a little.
September 17th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Funny you should write about cleaning out the past. I’ve been down in the basement (literally) the past couple of days cleaning things out. Actually it’s more like a cellar (the dreaded cellar, where no man hath gone before). Bags of old drawings, tiles, and stuff will hit road. Time to clear it out. I sat down to work on tiles the other day, which I haven’t done for a very long time. I just looked at the smooth porcelain until the “right” thing to do presented itself. From the heart, through the hands.
September 17th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Amazing what happens when we clear out the dreck! I’m a firm believer in pitching! Look forward to seeing your work!