Yesterday I made a pact with my hyper-critical self to be quiet for a while. I’m sick of preventing myself from getting on with stuff because I’m feeling exhausted from too much pressure.
On that note, I’ll let light, creative Becky take over a little… Bleaching a whole bunch of sheeting today. I love swooshing bubbles and textiles around in a big bucket of water. Looking forward to seeing how they come out.
I’m excited about how quickly my blog is growing but I want to make it work for me and not just be an online popularity contest. Reading ‘Blogging for the Artist‘ woke me up a little this morning. Less time on Twitter, more time on paper.
I’ve been singing and playing my guitar.
Today I’m going to think about my priorities.
Less than 3 weeks to Philadelphia summer!
GALLERY/STUDIOS: Yesterday I read through the whole of Jackie Berridge’s a-n studio blog (2007-2010) and was amazed at the hard slog she has been through to get the studios to where they are today. What an inspirational woman. And still there are legal disputes going on! She’s absolutely right that only a practicing artist would set up this type of business.
I’ve also been emailing with her about getting some advice on my own project. I’m certainly not put off yet! In fact, I’m constantly thrilled by the warmth and eagerness to give advice, assistance and encouragement by other a-n bloggers, as well as their openness about their own circumstances. Thanks to a-n for providing this forum.
PROCRASTINATION: I still have a book review to write and am struggling with energy and motivation. I’m a perfectionist, trying to learn to be an imperfectionist. At the moment that means I get things done well, but at what cost? My health has suffered in the past year. Trying to learn how to treat myself gently while still getting things done is my task of the year and is one of the hardest things I’ve attempted.
INTERVIEWS: Up on my website today is an interview with Katherine Faulkner, a PhD candidate at the Courtauld Institute, studying ‘The Sculpted Body: 18th C Dress’. It’s really useful reading for anyone considering a PhD in the humanities.
TWITTER: I officially am in love with Twitter. My interview with Katie, mentioned above, has been RT’d by two people with big followings in the time it took to write the above sentence. Looking forward to having some new readers. Must come up with a plan for organising my time better though! Blogging is one of my favourite things, but, as yet, it doesn’t bring in cash. (Do I sound horrifically mercenary for an artist?)
USA: Can. Not. Wait.
Doctor’s appointment this morning so got up earlier than usual. This means a lovely walk along by the cow-field in the fresh air, crows perched on the railings. Overcast skies remind me of a dream I had last night about getting out of the subway at 40th St to get to M’s house. In the dream, it’s drizzling, so I huddle inside my coat. Suddenly it’s a downpour and I’m running to M’s place. Then it’s a disaster movie and there are twin tornadoes heading straight at me. I’m on his street but wake up, heart pounding, before I get to the door….
This is probably related to the fact that I have started packing my tiny suitcase for the USA, which is exciting but also nervewracking. Rolling up all my summer clothes (no need for them in York, UK!) into tight bundles feels like coiling up my energies ready to spring into action in Philadelphia. Hmm.
You know how the Americans have medical names for every slightly difficult emotional state? Near the end of a brilliant exchange programme in painting at the Cooper Union, NYC, I told my tutor that I was having trouble concentrating. He said, ‘you’re suffering from transition anxiety, I get it myself’. Wow. Funny thing was that his diagnosis made me feel much better. Think I’m having a spell of T.A. today. It seems pointless to do much in the UK since I have only 3 weeks left, but it really is too early to pack or to make too many Philadelphia plans with friends.
ART: Yesterday I drew! My creative streak continues.
ON MY WEBSITE: new blog post about pinhole photography, something I intend to try very soon. Will update here with photos if I do…
