We All Need a “Me” Box

I picked up a few plastic storage containers at the Habitat Restore recently.  The former owner of the boxes left labels on the fronts.  One said “pink papers”, one said “snowflakes”, one said “tools”, you get the idea.  The one that stopped me was the one that said “Me Projects” .   She, I assume she was a she, felt it important to label a special box, no doubt full of things she wanted to make just for herself.  I could sense her saying something like “I just want to do something that pleases ME, makes ME happy”.  By making the box, filling it with her most precious things and ideas, and proclaiming a “Me” box, she was staking a claim on her own personal fulfillment.

 I found this to be a poignant metaphor for how many of us conduct our lives.  We often get caught up doing what is good for business, or family, or kids or a spouse, for whatever and whoever else crowds our To-Do lists.   Then we run out of time or we are too tired and the  “Me” things never happen.    

So whatever it takes, an hour, a day, a week, a closet, a room or a box, I think we need to remember to make time for “Me”. 

The Story of Moses crossing the Red Sea and Making Art

Most everyone knows the story of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt by crossing the Red Sea.
The story goes: Moses approaches the raging Red Sea and suddenly it parts, leaving a safe passage for the travelers. The legend is that this was an act of God, and no doubt it probably was. But I want to share a detail about that story that has dramatically impacted my life, including my approach to creating art, and I hope it has meaning in your life, too.
I learned from a friend of mine who actually read the Hebrew, that Moses did not stand idly by the sea waiting for God to part it. In fact, Moses actually stepped into the sea first. He took that first step strictly based on blind faith that somehow all would work out and his people would be safe. It was only after he took that first step that God came to the rescue.
What’s the moral of the story, and how does it apply to creating art?
We must have the confidence, the faith, that by taking that first step we will go on to make beautiful works of art. Call it divine intervention, or the Universe, or whatever you wish that will guide us. We just have to start, take the plunge.

The rest will follow.

The Love Hate Relationship with Grout

There are a few special people who actually love to grout.  I don’t get it and I am not one of them.  I don’t like the mess.  I find it tedious.  It’s like an obligation, something you have to do but you don’t want to do.  In fact, I dread it and delay it until I have no choice but to put on the gloves and do it. 

But I have to admit, grout always delivers.  I love the unity it creates, the cohesiveness, the finished look.  I love that it can be any color you want.  I love that it masks your “mistakes” and I love that, as the final step in your work, it always comes through as your trusty assistant, once again reassuring you that you can actually produce legitimately good art.  That’s the ultimate pay off.

this little ditty

I recently read that doctors are taught how to be decisive, a critical skill, by learning a simple thought process:

1. Identify the problem

2. Weigh the options

3. ACT

Easy, right?  In the end, it really is. 

For doctors the wrong decision could be fatal, but for us what is the worst that can happen?  We pry up that wrong piece of glass, or change a color, or layer something on top.  The more we practice the less likely we are to need a remedy, but better to learn to correct than be stuck in indecision.

To Have or to Use, that is the Question

I have spent countless hours shopping and foraging for the most extraordinary materials that now pack my studio with glorious color and history. I have a wide selection of stained glass and tile and china. I have boxes of stunning vintage jewelry and findings. I have rhinestones and beads and just about every choice a mixed media mosaic artist could dream of. Just poking around looking at all of it makes me incredibly happy.

So, here’s my frequent dilemma. On the one hand, I’m fortunate that when a project calls for something very specific, a certain color or shape or material, especially a vintage one-of-a-kind thing, odds are I have it. On the other hand, if I put that perfect thing into the art, then I will have USED IT and therefore I won’t HAVE IT anymore.

But didn’t I purposely acquire said thing to USE in the art? What good does it do to sit on the shelf for me to admire and never find its way into the art it was intended for?

While I love being surrounded by so many beautiful things I’ve decided not to angst over letting them go to the greater good, which is my art. I know there is more where they came from and that means I can keep shopping!

Planning versus Doing

I’m often asked “Do you plan everything out before you start?” I’ve seen so many students prepare and plan and wait and plan more and second guess every move consumed with self-doubt. They ask, “What if I make a bad decision, what if it doesn’t look good, what if I make a mistake, what if it’s a disaster? ”While I do believe in some degree of planning and preparation, I’m opposed to this analysis paralysis. It stifles your natural creativity.  I believe there is a point at which you must rely on faith and self-confidence and just go for it. If you screw up you can fix it or do better the next time.

That’s how you learn.

Just remember, the Universe WANTS you to succeed. 

So get going. Don’t over plan and over think. Commit to your idea, even if it’s not fully formed, and jump in.   I guarantee your talent will take care of the rest.

Routine Aversion

I have spent my life trying to avoid anything that resembles a routine. I’ve always equated
routine and structure with boredom. 

My thinking was leading an exciting, vibrant life, meant living unstructured, going where your day takes you, welcoming unexpected diversions and distractions.

As I’ve gotten older, and out of the corporate world, I’ve found my days fly by, but I’m often left to wonder what I’ve truly accomplished. 

I realize now that routine and structure can lead to better productivity and a
greater sense of calm. 

For example, I’ve dedicated one day a week to address business needs,
pay bills, add to my Blog etc. I’ve picked specific days and times I’m going to the gym. When I’m
in the studio I’m leaving my phone upstairs so I can stay focused on creating.

Don't get me wrong, my life is far from the textbook definition of structured, but these small routines take the guesswork out of the day, eliminate many distractions, and free me to make the best use of my
precious time. Now I’m seeking even more structure. Imagine that. 

Embrace Your Lane

I believe learning something new is always a fruitful way to expand your creative thinking.

Recently, I took a workshop that focused on a style of mosaic art I had not tried before. I welcomed the challenge at first, but became quite frustrated with my inability to master the task. In the end though, I realized this style just wasn’t my thing.

Looking back, I could have felt really bad that I didn’t achieve the result I wished for. I could have perceived this outcome as a failure. But instead, I confirmed that I create in my own style. An artistic approach I’m comfortable with and I’m good at is more than enough for me.

I don’t have to be good at everything, just good at my thing.

I say choose your lane, focus on your strengths and be proud about what only you can create... be you and let others be them.

There’s room for all of us.

Permission

A long ago mentor of mine once told me “Be prepared to make some duds”.

Considering all the wonderful guidance I’ve gotten from outstanding artists over the years, this little gem of advice has served me as well as anything I can remember. Dud is a funny word. It means something that didn’t work right or was unsatisfactory. Her “warning” that I might not always achieve the outcome I wanted gave me permission to experiment, to stumble, even to fail, but without beating myself up for it. Yes, I’ve made plenty of duds. They’ve been disappointing and many ended up in the trash. But it’s always been worth it. I learned something in the process every time. If you don’t take the risk to try something new your art will stagnate. So, go for it, and be prepared to make some duds.

Back To School

It’s back to school season, not just for the kids, but for me, too.

Even though I'm an experienced mosaic teacher now, I will never tire of learning. I’m taking a few workshops coming up and looking for more. I will go to the Society of Mosaic Artists convention again next year to glean more expertise and take workshops with artists who will challenge me.

As much as I wish my students would want to continue learning from me, I say go for whatever learning you can get your hands on (or in). Find other artists who can teach you something different than what I teach. Other perspectives and styles can only help you enrich your art.

School is in session. What will you be learning this year?