Lisa Snellings

We've talked before about spending less. It's a popular topic during this recession and always amongst artists and other such professions of unpredictable income. I'm remaking a useless basket as an example of making more of things I already have at hand. This idea often strikes me in the dressing room, staring at the tired clothes hanging there. True enough, I'm an artist with a home-based studio. I get dirty painting and sculpting. I dress the part. But I'm still a girl. I like clothes. They're just not in the budget at present. As I look I see pieces hanging there that would be fabulous if combined.
A baggy old rabbit hair sweater and silk tee could become a fur-trimmed one-of-a-kind. I stand there, longing to design and stitch. I even have a set of very cool metal cast rat buttons that Ravyn sent me forever ago...
Then I hear the very sound advice from Jane Frank:
"Lisa, just because you can do anything doesn't mean you can do everything."

It's advice that's helped me stay on track, and not feel 'guilty' for the things I don't do. We must pick and choose our projects, in reality. We have to learn (yawn) time management.

I know this. True enough, I'm a artist. I'm my own boss. It has its obvious advantages. If I get a cold, or a case of the 'fuck-it's' or get completely caught up in, for instance, Daphne Du Maurier's The Scapegoat (highly recommended) I can take the time. I alone am responsible for the consequences. But when I'm at the top of my game as a professional artist, I behave as a well-compensated executive for a company I adore. You can call this a mental trick and perhaps it is. Self-motivation is difficult and I'll take all the help I can get. Try it, if you haven't. If you're working on a project, from writing to cooking a meal, look at your work from the perspective of an employer. It's sort of like playing chess with yourself, in that you must switch roles. It's also very informative. Neatness counts. Presentation counts. What sort of employee review would you give yourself? Not to mention that a job well done is very rewarding.
Then there's balance. Priorities. Realizing that sometimes playing is the most important task at hand. Or making something for the pleasure of creating. Which reminds me, the tomatoes need looking at. The seeds have all sprouted.

Scheduling helps. I have a list of things that must be done today. Then a blank space for about 2 hours when I can do as I wish. We'll see how that works out.

Have a good Wednesday.