Patience

I make sure that my studio is stocked, reasonably organised and feeling slightly fresh when I start each new piece of work. If it’s an intense project like the one I just completed 48 hours ago (4 week project), then I tend to rinse my brushes and shut the door for at least 24 hours.

I very rarely even pop my head in the studio for at least 24 hours unless I have left my ipod behind.

So I fairly much just drop everything and walk out for a day or so. I just need that space, that feeling of not being committed to anything that requires any level of creativity.

That is why having a blog is such a great leveler. It allows you to document during recess, so to speak.

I don’t like the idea of trying to force my art. While I will spend some time during my short 24 to 48 hour break prioritising my workload and flicking through my reference material files for the next independent project, I don’t make any big plans. It’s not often that I don’t feel like starting again after a couple of days.

But if for any reason I “don’t feel like it” then I won’t force it. I don’t see the point in trying to create for sake of it. In other words, I don’t speak for the sake of speaking.

With each project I learn something new about myself in regards to my own ability and inability.

Those close to me would agree that my lack of patience at times could be referred to as my Achilles heal. But I have become quite good at understanding that patience in essence is an active strength an artist must be equipped with in order to produce good work. I do believe I have become quite good at concentrating into agony when it comes to producing my art.

As for all other areas of my life, well… I guess I can honestly say that my patience is getting much better than it used to be (wink).

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