Time Management: How do you do it?

Patt Legg · 08-19-2005, 11:00 PM

Michele, I had not seen your reply quote until I had posted.

Quote:

It would be a lot more stimulating for many of them to just move on to a person who can give them all they crave

I merely wish to add that some of us have lived this way for over 40 years and hope to be reciprocated in the next portion of our lives . For some of us we have been dedicated to our loved ones and still are but wish to have some consideration as being "validated" with the very life that we have worked toward. My art has taken LAST place for nearly all of those years and happily so. Now, I want to NOT feel guilty for the rest of them. Make sense??

I figure I speak for some of us anyway.

Patt

Michele Rushworth · 08-19-2005, 11:16 PM

Sounds like your recent commitment to your art is well deserved, Pat. Go for it!

Patt Legg · 08-19-2005, 11:31 PM

I appreciate that so very much Michele. I am afraid that I have been caught with some of my pain showing as in the following quote--

Quote:

To use the pains that come into our lives to become a new person. To be used by those same pains is the sad truth for most of us, but with the aim toward inner growth, we can use the pain and not lose the valuable time we need.

Anthony, you are so right. I feel saddened for your loss. Maybe we can relate after all. Some of my irritation is due to similar circumstances and I am afraid that I have had a reaction to your words out of fear, sadness, and worry for some happenings in my own life at this time.

Thanks for letting me blow off steam and I pray that your life takes a brighter turn.

One door does not close without opening yet another one.

Take care
Patt

Patricia Joyce · 08-23-2005, 05:30 PM

I guess time managment has just become easier.

Anthony Emmolo · 08-26-2005, 03:17 PM

Hello Patricia,

I hope you are OK with your phone call. Things like this can hurt. We all know that. I just had the same thing happen to me a few hours ago. My Shanghainese girlfriend who needs more security than I can give her, just told me that she's been having an affair with another man. So, I told her to leave the house. I still don't know who dumped who. I guess I got dumped.

Anyway, it is times like this that we can remember how lucky we are to have our art work. The concentrated energy that goes into our artwork at times like this is what will make us new people over the years. The everyday thoughts, happinesses, pains are one thing, but this type of thing is like rocket fuel in attempts to grow emotionally. Real grief, worked with at the easel or in any way that we can, with no resentment, just accepting that what was given to us was our fate, is all we can do.

Good luck,
Anthony

Do I make any sense, or do I sound strange?

Patricia Joyce · 08-26-2005, 03:34 PM

Yeah, you make sense. I know that when I work on my art I get excited and happy. I am getting settled in my apartment and guess what, I have a huge living room and dining room and second bedroom that all have hardwood floors and northlight windows in the dining room.

who needs furniture? I have only taken what I can move myself and this leaves LOTS of space for my art. I can't wait to start working this weekend on my next art project.

Good luck to you. I hope you are ok.

Be thinking of you

Kimberly Dow · 08-26-2005, 05:41 PM

Pat, I hope your doing fine.

As hard as it sounds, you may be better off. If your having to do all the cooking, cleaning and work...your going to be resentful years down the road. The other Pat's story is all too familiar.

I wonder if because we love our art so much - it gives our families more reasons to resent it and treat it like a hobby? How many accountants love what they do and spend extra time at work? Because we arent moaning and complaining that we have work to do....like so many people who dont love their jobs, it's easy for our families to see it as a pleasure, not 'work.' My husband calls my painting time 'relaxation' (even though I bring in a significant part of the income). He compares my painting time to his TV viewing time in terms of stress vs. relaxation. I couldnt imagine wasting the time he does watching TV. He is right about one thing- I love what I do - we are lucky - those of us who get to do this. It shoudnt be a mark against you if you love what you do. If you have a significant other who doesnt help with the chores, kids, etc.... the only thing you can do at times is just to know you aren't doing anything wrong. It isnt wrong to let stuff slide if he/she wont help. It isnt wrong to expect the other person to carry their weight. It doesn't always work....so many partnerships are unbalanced and we cant make people do what we want always. Sometimes, we just have to suck it up and sleep less. And not let the discouraging, whining, selfish people in our lives bring us down.

I read something the other day that was funny...and could help anyone who is about to get into a relationship. The tip was 'If you dont want to be doing it all yourself for 20 years - dont start out doing it." In other words - if you dont want to be the only one in your house cleaning or cooking - dont start the relationship out by cooking and cleaning all the time thinking your partner will step up and appreciate you and do more later. It doesnt work that way...people naturally become spoiled and expect it. Make your expectations clear from the begining. Dont be afraid to get what you need. And don't settle for less than what you need. If you know you need your art - so make sure you insist that be a priority.

This isnt just a female problem...although that seems to be the majority. Women's Liberation didn't do much to help women as far as I can see. Now most women still raise the children, do the cooking and chores - but also have full-time jobs. I know a male artist though who is in the same boat.

Here is to all of us -
and all the trials and tribulations involved in making art a career. In many ways we are so lucky.