Shaking Things Up
I like routines and rituals. To that end, twice a year, once in September and then again towards the end of the academic year, I sit mindfully with a self-drawn grid, with days of the week on the x-axis and until breakfast, until lunch, until dinner, and until bedtime on the y-axis. I start by mapping the ‘fixed expenses’ of an upcoming season—for example, my tutorial schedule, yoga class, and regular phone appointments. Around those anchors, I decide where such elements as laundry, bill paying, meditation, and completely open time will take their designated places in my weekly template.
I also like shaking things up. Here are two significant changes that will differentiate summer 2023 from past seasons. First, both by intention and happenstance, a palpable decrease in commitments large and small. Second, painting in the morning rather than the afternoon.
This morning:
5.5 x 7″
acrylic, India ink, and oil pastel
on canvas-textured paper
abstract
2
=====
11 responses to “Shaking Things Up”
First of all….I am in awe of people who can plan life out that way. I have what I call my sandwich routines and rituals where I start and end the day in pretty much the same way. But most of the time in between I fly by the seat of my pants. But I’m so glad your summer of 2023 has being shaken up and you have found new space to produce beautiful paintings such as this. It’s so soft and summery!
Ann, grateful for your feedback. Your mention of this piece’s feeling very energetic leads me to feel energized in return! I’ll take that energy with me into my current work in progress.
No comments:
Post a Comment