Thursday, October 11, 2007

Where to Start?

This year I went through quite a dry spell regarding ideas. I actually blamed it on my baby, claiming he was absorbing whatever creative juices I had, leaving none for me. However, ever since he joined us here in the outside world five months ago, I've had no shortage of ideas for all kinds of things to create. (Which makes me really glad I have a habit of scribbling things down in my sketchbook before I forget them.) There's almost too many ideas! Now before I jinx myself, I will say that I have really enjoyed coming up with them and can't wait to bring them to fruition. Problem is, I don't know where to start! Have you ever experienced that? There's so much you could do, you end up doing nothing?
Maybe I'm feeling a little overwhelmed...but I am trying to do a little at a time. I have actually been pretty good about keeping up with the Group Soup Blog; although I have yet to complete and post an Illustration Friday topic-darnit!

Since I started creating art again, I have completed in the last three months:
*a trio of collage art
*a large abstract painting
*two portfolio pieces,
and works in progress include:
*am currently revamping an old acrylic painting
*and built the background for a large scale collage piece
Most of these pieces are for the nursery.

I also need to get out of my head:
*Two large-scale paintings
*One large-scale multimedia piece
*Three small multimedia pieces
personal work that can hang in my home to be enjoyed.

Professionally, I have ideas for:
*Two graphic novels
*Two picture books dummies
and fortunately, every month I create another piece for the Soup that goes in my portfolio.

Do you see my dilemma? I am really looking forward to all of this, but I'm not sure which to start with. The dummy books certainly should be created to be put in my portfolio (as well as mailed to potential ADs) but sometimes I think, "What would it hurt if those were put on hold for right now?" Plus, both of them involve new techniques and formatting I haven't really done before, so there will be quite a bit if experimentation involved.

The personal work is not significant to anyone but me, but I would really like to get them done and on my walls before the special mojo related to them goes away. (You ever get that? You start creating and before you realize it, you're on a roll, and you don't want to stop?)

On top of all of this, I have the daily care of a bright and active five-month old as well as the responsibilities involved in "keeping house" and getting dinner on the table at a reasonable time. Oh yeah, I also try to go to the gym at least 3-4 times a week. All of this makes what free time I have during the day (45 minutes-1 hour at intervals throughout the day) that much more precious.

So what do you think? Which should I start first?

2 comments:

  1. I feel like this a lot! I think most people in the arts have to struggle with balancing life and their creative pursuits--and sometimes one can take the energy and drive out of the other.

    If you have a dream that's important to you - or one you hold above others, I would put your left over energies into that. :0)

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  2. I agree Paige....Thanks for the tip. I've started a priority list for professional work, and have begun to make headway. I can't wait get a chunk of it done. There is an idea I have for a personal piece that is pulling at me right now. :D

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