Now that December is underway, it’s time to take stock of the past year, reevaluate goals, and make a game plan for 2019.
This next piece is going to be a bit larger than the past several. The area within the crosses is 9 x 12 inches. While I was working on my last piece, I kept thinking about octopi and their interesting camouflage. This fellow should be a worthy candidate / subject to hide in a field of shibori pattern, don’t you think?
Last week I attended a webinar for creatives offered by Cory Huff of The Abundant Artist and productivity coach Charlie Gilkey. They packed a lot of helpful info into 90 minutes and I’m already feeling the impact of their suggestions, especially as the holiday season and its accompanying extra to-do’s begin to take hold.
Granted, there was so much to absorb that I’m still sifting through my notes, but I’d like to share two take-aways that I think are particularly noteworthy.
First, stick to a 5-project rule at any given time. Realistically, one just can’t juggle any more than five projects at once, and it is probably more achievable to concentrate on only three.
Secondly, separate your workdays into time blocks:
- Focus blocks: 90-120 minutes for deep, creative work (keeping in mind that sometimes that includes staring out the window, taking a walk, or looking at work in progress as you figure out your next move). It was reassuring to hear them say that most of us can only expect to put in 4-6 hours of such focused work a day. I am mentally exhausted at the end of 4 or more hours of active drawing and/or stitching.
- Social / Service blocks: 90-120 minutes for meetings, volunteer activities, visiting galleries, etc.
- Administrative blocks: 30-60 minutes for attending to email, computer work, phone calls and other “backstage” chores (Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter don’t count).
- Finally, and very importantly, Recovery blocks: for recharging — exercise, meals, reading, time with family and friends — whatever it is that fills you back up and staves off burnout.
The beauty of this approach is, depending on your objectives and commitments at any given time, you have total flexibility in how you divide your days and week into said blocks . The key is that structure facilitates momentum and in turn, achievement.
The pre-dye white work is time-consuming, especially considering all the little circles to embroider. I am going to be figuring this one out as I go along, but am trying to resist laying the stitch-work in too heavily before dyeing, knowing now that a lot of stitching will be necessary afterwards to bring out and define the image from the shibori pattern.
I’ll admit that I’m something of a productivity geek, so I love this stuff. Huff’s and Gilkey’s ideas were just the boost I needed to get started on the rollover from 2018’s goals to those I’ll concentrate on in 2019.
And speaking of goals, one of mine for 2018 was to pursue a source that would accept/publish a self-written article about my work and practice. Every now and then fate goes to bat for you.
Last week I received an email from the editor of HAND/EYE Magazine, asking if I would give her 500 words and 8-10 images for this week’s online publication. You bet I said yes! … and it was well-worth the focus blocks it took to get everything in order on such short notice. As a result, I didn’t get as far as I’d hoped with this current stitched piece, but that’s a trade-off I was more than willing to make . I hope you’ll read the article.
❖
One last thing that may be of interest: Slow Fiber Studios of Berkeley, CA is having a 10%-off holiday sale through December 31st. They carry books, videos, fiber, tools and natural dyes. Who knows what you might find!
Use the promo code: HOLIDAY.
Thanks for another wonderful post. I always learn something and feel engaged. And I certainly hope to see this current project in person! Have you read The Soul of An Octopus? I think the author’s last name is Montgomery.
I’m so glad you liked the post – thanks for letting me know. I have Soul of An Octopus in my TBR stack. Did you enjoy it?
Nice. Congratulations, the article was well written and a fun read.
Thanks for making the time to follow the link and read the article!
Your ability to organize always amazes—and even inspires! Also absolutely love the article in Hand/Eye! Though the only stitches I make are sewing buttons back on my shirts, you clear description of the artistic process applies directly to all the art I create. I’ll share it with others as well. Enjoy this beautiful light this morning.
I’ll bet those buttons are very creatively attached! It’s cool to discover overlaps between different practices, isn’t it? Thanks so much for sharing – and yes, it has been a beautiful Vermont winter so far.
Just loved seeing your work in HAND/EYE, Betsy. As you say, your work is slow and time consuming to create but it always looks fresh. How delightful to see your painterly surfaces act as a backdrop to your dancing lines. Contemplation has its rewards! Congrats!
So nice to hear from you Csilla – your words are always very much appreciated and valued. How is your work these days? It would be fun to catch-up off-line sometime. Many thanks!
Congratulations on your article, Betsy! Like your stitching, suddenly something appears, as did the solicitation from Hand/Eye. Well earned, but not knowing it was coming surely felt good! And wonderful to “see” your process through your writing; the cross pollination of skills and interest and what brings about the gorgeous work you make!
Also loved the points on organization of time and resources. Always a great reminder that steady and deliberate steps do actually add up to climbing the mountain, with all the gentle and unexpected discoveries along the way that make it all sweet.
A gem of an entry.
Thanks for this Monica. Your analogy to climbing a mountain says it well
Thanks for this Monica. Your analogy to climbing a mountain says it well.