Balance in the life of an artist

Elizabeth Schott · 11-05-2002, 09:16 AM

How does one achieve balance in your life when you are dedicated to your painting?

I always marveled at the fact that Picasso would have such a large studio, in a lovely beach resort and I am sure had the opportunity to disappear for days. But how does the everyday artist focus on all that is important to them?

I have found this frustrating throughout my professional career, so it could just be a problem for myself and "work" in general, but somehow I think it affects those in the creative field more.

When you are deep into a composition or painting and the kids come in and want a ride to this or that, the house is in sad need of cleaning, a big event is coming up, there are no groceries and who the heck cares about dinner? "Hey, leave me alone. I am painting!" is all I want to say. This has become my biggest challenge. I try and explain to my husband, especially in my graphic work, when a concept is coming to you, it is hard to just stop and pick it up later.

In addition to the physical aspects of art, you are usually reading or studying in your non-studio time, or spending a ton of time here, where every artist should be in my situation. This site is such a tool, I think of it as my interactive library. So where is the balance? Who the heck is going to water the plants?

Enzie Shahmiri · 11-05-2002, 03:57 PM

Elizabeth, my soul mate! I was laughing when I read this. Gee it sounded sooo familiar!

I get up at 6 a.m., drink coffee and read through emails. Usually I have until 7:30 a.m. to get a load of laundry going, do some dusting or empty out the dishwasher. Then it

Patt Legg · 11-05-2002, 07:12 PM

Enzie and Elizabeth, ladies after my heart. Well, maybe not the right expression but can I ever relate. Although my children have grown, I have been there and done that. But I still feel overwhelmed with life's woes.

I have only a hubby, a dog (boxer), a cat, 7 huge goldfish, a 10-room 2-story house, 3 rental properties connected to mine, and a studio. My hubby is disabled and retired and we have seen each other every day 24 hours a day for 8 years now.

I do all housework, repainting of vacant rentals, mending of minor repairs and even helped lay floor carpeting in one of them. I carry out the garbage most of time and help out with construction of my own studio (had the blisters on my hands from nailing).

This has all been since my 5 kids left home and have families of their own. Whew-w-w

Well, I am still painting and yes, I sit with hubby in living room, tv going but I am engrossed in either this forum (which I thank all for making it so possible and wonderful) or piled up to my elbows with art books, magazines or art related materials and planning the next 5 paintings in my head.

Are we a different breed (artists and creative persons, that is)? I know many of my friends wonder why I continue sometimes when art is so unpredictable with sales etc. But yet, through the rain, snow, sleet or hail, my creativeness must plow ahead or something like that.

Timothy C. Tyler · 11-05-2002, 07:28 PM

Historically, imbalance has served artists better.

Linda Ciallelo · 11-05-2002, 07:42 PM

It definitely helps to know that there are others like myself. I will retire in April 2003. I will set strict times when I will be in the studio, and during those times I will not be available for anything else. That's the plan anyway.

Mari DeRuntz · 11-05-2002, 08:24 PM

Quote:

The big element is trust, not knowing where you're going, and it will be grander than your imagination. If you know where you are going then it can only be as good as your imagination.

--George Green

Steven Sweeney · 11-05-2002, 09:00 PM

Take what you want and pay the price.

Choose, and then take responsibility for your choices. Certainly there are basic chores and duties of family and citizenship that have to be attended to, but if the functional equivalents of rounding up dust bunnies (or buffalo) is what you choose to do, even if it prevents you from painting, then you've established your priorities. The house is clean, dinner was four-course and yummy, the aloe and jade plants are thriving, and the canvas is blank. If you want a different result, you have to make a different choice.

Rarely when an Olympian steps up to receive a medal does the commentator say, "Oh, sure, gold, but have you ever seen how her closets are organized?" No one pulls the principal cellist aside after a concert and says, "Nice, but will you at least think about that edging along the driveway and all the dandelions?"

More often than we care to own up to, we live exactly the lives we've chosen to live. You want something to happen, make it happen.

Michele Rushworth · 11-05-2002, 09:33 PM

I heard a memorable story once about a world-class violinist.

After a performance, an aspiring violin player in the audience came up to him and said, "I would give my life to play as you just did."

The world-class violinist said, "That is what I have done."

Elizabeth Schott · 11-05-2002, 10:13 PM

Steven, I need you to call my husband!

Michael Georges · 11-06-2002, 12:56 AM

The "Muse" plays frequent havoc with large portions of my "so-called-life".

Fortunately, I have a lovely wife who weathers my artistic storms and makes sure I eat, sleep, have clean clothes, etc. Frankly, she does too much of the housework and things and still manages to be an author and write two books a year. I would be lost without her.

I need to go do the dishes right now...now I have guilt!