Monday, November 10, 2008

Mondays Are a Clean Slate, Right?

My Favorite Gambrel, 2008, Oil on Gessobord, 5x7

Goodness, it's been awhile since I posted. I used to post faithfully nearly every weekday, but that has dropped back to three or four times a week, or even less, in the last six months or so. I don't feel like I am bored with keeping the blog but maybe I just have less to say? I have told most of my good stories after all. Or at least the ones that I don't mind telling in public. heh.

Anyway, I seem to be in some sort of weird funk lately, although much of it may have something to do with the trance-like, magnetic quality of my computer screen. I have been spending way too much time at the computer lately, doing a few interesting things, but mostly not doing anything important whatsoever. Now that the election is over and things have quieted down a bit in the news, I am back to doing things like checking out the bios of the cast of True Blood, my new favorite show. I spent almost 45 minutes checking out this site! How dumb is that?!

I always thought I had good work discipline but now it turns out that I only do if I have some sort of deadline, and not the self-imposed kind either. I can see right through those, heh. I have plenty of painting to do as well as other projects that I could be doing, things that I want to do and am even excited about, but somehow it is so easy for me to just tell myself that I don't actually have to do it today, that tomorrow or even the next day is ok to start a new painting or whatever. I considered that I might have some kind of creative block, but have ruled that out. I am plenty interested in the figurative work and doing the small paintings for my other blog is a lot of fun.

Not looking for advice here, just explaining what's going on with me lately. I know this will pass. Eventually. I hope. And I am also hoping that by saying all this out loud, I will get some motivation back. I'd hate to have to banish my computer from the studio (any other alternative locations would be extremely inconvenient concerning the actual work that I do have to do on the computer) and really, shouldn't I just be able to walk away from the damn thing? Sheesh.

Ok, so Monday is always a good day for a clean slate and I will try again to get back on my pre-recession/no sales/no shows or events scheduled in the near future daily schedule. You know, the one where I worked really hard and managed to paint five paintings per week AND take care of the house and kids and animals too? I can't believe I am actually missing those crazy days right now....

6 comments:

Kim Hambric said...

It does not help to get the computer out of your studio. Mine is two floors down from my studio. So, where am I now? On the computer of course -- not in the studio.

I think I understand where you are coming from this Monday. My project is going nicely, when I decide to work on it. But, somehow, I just can't give it 100%. I'll try for 50%.

I think Tuesdays are a clean slate.

Anonymous said...

I totally hear you!

Actually I googled advice from small business sites about self-discipline in working at home... I actually found some good tips!

Anonymous said...

Ah, Miss. You can effectively piss away your computer time on this site, and I recommend it:

http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/true-blood/

Debre

Tracy Helgeson said...

Kim, yes I had the same concerns-that wherever I put it was where I'd be most of the time. At least now I am CLOSER to the easel:)

Thanks Lauren, good tip. Actually when I am working I have very good discipline, it's just when things are slow that I seemingly have mental issues about it all!

Debre, Ha! I am no stranger to that site, it was the best place for American Idol info. Hadn't checked out the True Blood page though so big thanks there (she said sarcastically!). There goes Tuesday....

Angela Wales Rockett said...

Having read the books, I have to say Tru Blood looks really good! Sadly, we don't get HBO so will have to wait for Netflix.

It's really helped having my computer 5 miles away from my studio, so when I go to paint, that's what I do.

Natalya Khorover Aikens said...

ah yes that computer... mine is at the other end of the house and still i am in front of it much too often, like first thing in the morning...