Although I have never regretted, even for one second, my decision to stop my Masters degree, I do miss the dicipline that working through a degree course gave me. Somehow, self imposed deadlines don't have the same impact... they are too easily moved! As a result, even when I've felt inspired as I did back in October, life seems to get in the way and there is always next week to get those ideas down on paper and to actually create something with them. But lately this has been really getting me down... and I'm fed up listening to myself complain about it!
So today I decided to give myself permission to play. Nothing amazing or earth shattering but just some time to doodle in my sketchbook using inks and wax resist and a bit of felt tip pen.
I want to do some work inpspired by Frida Kahlo and this is my starting point.
And I have decided that for one day each week I will block out a day in my diary that is for experimenting, playing and research in an attempt to get back some of my drive and enthusiasm. Will you nag me to make sure I'm doing it? Perhaps I should make it a weekly blog post then you'll know if I've kept to my word!
What a wonderful idea. I love these vibrant joyful pages and will do my best to remember to nag you this time next week if I haven't seen another one!
ReplyDeleteYou definitively have permission to play. Lovely bright colours here, keep having fun.
ReplyDeleteOh I love your drawings Gina, they bring out the old hippy in me, I especially love the blue flower! :)
ReplyDeleteI'll try to remember to nag, I'm supposed to be good at that according to my husband! ;)
V xxx
Select a certin day and tell us then we can nag you :) I had to give up my masters due to lose of job/ child care and since then I have hardly done any embroidery so I know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteCertain even . Or more accurately a specific day eg every Wednesday :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pages - and the idea of having some sort of public accountability! I've considered doing this too, so yes, go for it!
ReplyDeleteBlog it! Blog it! I wish my handwriting was legible enough to show the world, but it really isn't.
ReplyDeleteI think we should play every day! Earmarking a day a week for it is a good idea, it takes the guilt away, thinking you ought to be doing something else!xx
ReplyDeleteit can be quite difficult to give yourself permission to play I think Gina. your so-called doodling is gorgeous. I would be very happy to see your weekly doodling lol.
ReplyDeleteAs Val said... Yes blog it!
ReplyDeleteI need deadlines too... And suddenly I have them! It's been the kick up the backside I needed.
I am very bad at playing in a sketchbook and am continually distracted into displacement activities. We will all be watching you closely and waiting for your weekly update. We should probably join in too!
ReplyDeleteWow love the work. I wish I enjoyed working in sketchbooks but you know how bad I am at drawing. I enjoyed it when you did the sketchbook thing the other summer.
ReplyDeleteA creative mind needs exercising just like any other muscle, and setting aside specific time to do it is great! I used to always have a sketchbook active, but fell away from it. Now it's hard for me to get anything more than a simple doodle. I'd love to see more of your sketching :) Wendy
ReplyDeleteWell done Gina! Love these studies, and the colours!! I think it's like finding the time to exercise.. At least for me.... I can't be bothered after everything else, but once the trainers are on,and I start running, I feel great ! (Well, nearly always!) but life is so busy and hectic, especially for us mums! It's hard to get a moment to yourself... If you nag me too, I'll nag you! Still haven't made that orange marmalade yet, but it's on my to-do list... (It's a long list!)
ReplyDeleteJudith x
Nag you...never, encourage you...always!
ReplyDeleteGina, you daily accomplish so much more that most mere mortals ever manage, but I think that I do know what you mean about your artistic creative explorations and stretching.
I guess that each of us knows where we would like to find ourselves, and might feel a little disappointed when the next calendar page unfolds.
You have such energy, and are generous with your talent. Many artists who've achieved fame might not be so generous.
Gina, I hope that your setting aside some defined time for your very own creativity will yield results that please you and encourage even more results.
xo
Somewhere I have a card I was given when I was at art school years ago ... it says 'Always play'!
ReplyDeleteI know just what you mean about self-imposed projects and deadlines. Blocking out a day a week seems like a very good idea. Maybe I should do the same! K x
ReplyDeleteTell me the day and you KNOW that I will definitely e mail you and chivvy you along. It might do me good to see someone else doing what I should be doing too! I have only skimmed the comments but picked up a couple saying, 'yes, do blog about it' For me, I'd say 'No, don't. Keep it as play to start with and then let it develop to work.I think if you feel you have to blog about it, it will stop your spontaneity. This is your groove to get back into and I'd spend the day doing what you want to without the pressure of adding a blog post at the end of it. If there was a woman who could do both it is you Gina but keeping it as your own thing to start with might work better? It's a fabulous theme to explore.Good luck!
ReplyDelete