Thankful Thanksgiving Thoughts

Although I’m feeling about 20 pounds heavier and much lazier, it has been a great Thanksgiving.  I didn’t get a whole lot of art done, but I have spent four solid days visiting with family; who, at every occasion, enquired about the status of my current projects.  I can’t express how much I appreciate your emails, inquiries, ‘facebook likes’ and discussions over my artwork.  In four short months I have completed projects and challenged myself to attempt new levels with my artwork.  I am currently working on three commissions, a contest piece and two show pieces.  I don’t believe I would have continued to work without your positive energy and support, and I do mean that in a sincere, non-sarcastic way (I know that is hard for you to believe!) Thank you for your continued support, I truly appreciate it.  

Deadlines

I hate deadlines.

So it is unfortunate that I don’t really function without them.  I have so many thoughts, plans, ideas and projects in my head that I am the kind of person that really does need a due date in order to finish something. A typical ‘art afternoon’ is spent with me working on a project, getting bored and starting a second one, getting distracted and working on a third…. As a result I usually have about three or four I’m working on at time.  (I like variety!)

When we first met Charley Robins, I left knowing I wanted to create a giraffe wall hanging for his nursery.  I sketched the project (mentally) in the car on the way home, ordered the background fabrics, and then did nothing.  (Not entirely true, I worked a full time and part time job and barely stepped foot in my art room.)  So when Brent announced on Thursday that we would be visiting the Robins family on Sunday I went into a frenzied, ‘finish the project’ (err, ‘start the project’) mode.  After stocking up on the necessities I entered my cave determined not to come out again until the project was finished, and I was almost successful.  After working for about three hours, hating the project and starting over, I finally got rolling Saturday afternoon and flew through until Sunday afternoon.  The project was finished in the car (and we were late to Jeff and Kati’s) but I FINISHED it! On time! And, more importantly I was more than pleased with the final outcome. 

It would be nice to think that in the future I won’t need deadlines in order to finish a project….  but after spending yesterday afternoon on three different projects and not focusing on one for more than an hour, it is safe to say the deadlines are in fact a necessity.