Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Growth, Gratitude, Bliss & Balance

See...I love what I do...I love you all to. But there is only one of me...not three...just me!
So...what to do? When someone like you...OK...stop the presses...enough with the corny rhymes! 
I will get to the point as I am sure ya all have lots to do this wonderful day.
I want this post to be about gratitude and growth, balance and bliss.
I am so grateful for all of you who have shown an interest in my work. Thanks to those who have requested custom work. Thanks for your questions, your suggestions and your trust. 
You inspire me
You make me happy
You have given me a outlet for my creativity for which I will always be thankful.
If I could hug all of you...I would!

A number of you have requested custom pieces...and I have agreed to do this in a few cases. But the more I do it, the more I realize that my heart just isn't in it. My heart is in the right place when I create a one of kind...when I have to reinvent the wheel each time I sit down to work...that is where I find my bliss. I take great pride in what I do, each little stitch or paint stroke is planned with care and attention.
When I do custom work I am often repeating a pattern, recreating something I have made before....and my heart just isn't present when I do this...and it shows...and that is something I don't want to happen! I am an artist(not to toot my own horn) and like a painter or a sculptor I like to invent new works...not create the same thing over and over. This is how I learn...and with knowledge and experience comes growth...and that's a good thing.

On Finding Balance
There are many minutes in the day...in one day I may work in my studio, work in my kitchen, play in my garden, play on my puter, visit family, go for a walk, read a book, do chores, go grocery shopping, pay bills, do laundry, cook supper, take time to smell the flowers...
I am not a terribly prolific artist, I am an artist with many interests and it's these interests that I have to persue to stay healthy and feel alive. Finding balance in your life is important, and yes, I love what I do, but I don't want to do it all the time...

Find balance, love what you do, learn to say no, be grateful for what you have...take time to smell the flowers!

Have a sunshiny day!
Susan




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15 comments:

  1. bayrayschildFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    You just said what I feel...amen to that sister!

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  2. Morena Ciambra DreamartdollsFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    You're so wonderful! XXXOOO Sweet Susan!
    Enjoy your day!
    Hugs,
    Morena

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  3. Lori Ann CorelisFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Amazingly, perfectly, beautifully said . . . and I agree fully.
    Have an amazing day Susan.

    Lori Ann

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  4. Mary Ann TateFebruary 15, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    I totally agree with what you say. No artist likes or even wants to recreate a one of a kind piece. That's mind numbingly dull. You can never instill the same spark into the making. It is one way to turn off spontaneous creativity. Well said:)

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  5. Sherri FarleyFebruary 15, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Bravo, well said!

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  6. Nan ~ Threadwork PrimitivesFebruary 15, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    A wise observation and perfectly said. I know how hard it can sometimes be to say no. I am totally with you on this.
    Enjoy the day!
    ~Nan

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  7. JoolzFebruary 15, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    Well said, I totally agree. Love the pic!

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  8. TheresaFebruary 16, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    I agree with you...I'm the same way. It's one of the reasons I have so many UFO's too. I have to keep it interesting. :0)

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  9. Cathy G.February 16, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Beautiful post! I love what you are saying about nurturing the artist within! If we don't do that then those one of a kind creations can't keep coming forth! Bravo for speaking out! It helps each and everyone of us who are working to find that balance when we are selling our artwork!!
    Hugs!!
    Cathy G

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  10. Scott SmithFebruary 16, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    I love how you were able to put words to feels so many of us have shared... well done! I wish you continued bliss.

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  11. tjFebruary 18, 2012 at 4:37 AM

    ...Beautifully spoken. And thank you, I needed to hear this. Now I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

    ...Absolutely adore your work & it's so nice to meet you! I'm Follower #690. :o)

    ...Have a wonderful day!

    ...Blessings

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  12. JillayneFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    Your thoughts are an echo for many of us... I have a sale of my creations, once a year in my home and invite only my friends. Oftentimes, someone would like to order something that they weren't lucky enough to grab hold of first. In the beginning I did the special orders but they took what I loved and made it a drudgery for the very same reasons you describe. And so I stopped...
    Your work is so exceptional, and unusual and part of what makes it special is that one of a kind uniqueness Good for you being true to that. A beautiful post, and just what I needed today.

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  13. lynnFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    wonderful writing... as beautiful as your artwork.. said and worked from the heart... :) you truly bring sunshine and whimsy to me.. i know .
    thanks for sharing
    lynn

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  14. Michelle May-The Raspberry RabbitsFebruary 28, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    Woo hoo! You go girl! You are an artist, not a manufacturer. Knowing who they are is what many spend a lifetime trying to figure out. Good for you for knowing who you are and enjoying every minute of it.
    Hugs!

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  15. Michelle PalmerMarch 23, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    So true~ so perfectly said :)
    I even enjoyed the rhymes!

    Hope your weekend is filled with fun~

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