Be Still
Hello, it’s been a while. If I had to give one word to describe my feelings these days, besides blessed, it would be overwhelmed. I’m a gentle soul. An introvert to the core, INFP, HSP, Enneagram 9. I crave peace and quiet. I have an artist’s heart. Always have. Even those decades of doing accounting and administrative work, I was an artist. I just didn’t know it.
As most of you know, I started my painting journey almost ten years ago. I was in my early 50’s and my most hectic decades were behind me, I was only working part-time, so I had more time on my hands than I had had in a very long time. I courageously (yes, trying anything new takes courage) decided to give painting a go. It was like a new world opened up to me - one where I actually belonged - finally. So I kept painting, learning, growing. It has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.
Now, ten years later, I have acquired skills that I would have never thought possible, but It’s way past time that I treat this “art thing” like a business, so that I can at least recoup the thousand’s of dollars I have invested, but I keep stalling. Like I said, I have an artist’s heart, not so much an entrepreneur’s. Just being real here, but I have struggled with the whole building up an email list, gaining a social media following, especially since Instagram’s algorithm changed a couple of years ago. I see others doing it though, so I know there is a way. I just haven’t figured it out yet. Not giving up. I know I need more consistency. I have been slack to update my website, send email newsletters, release new collections. In my defense, I have been caring for a very energetic puppy over the last year, haha. But mostly, I’ve just been procrastinating.
A friend of mine told me about an art show coming up in Seneca this fall. Doing shows could get my art out there past the few Facebook friends and family that have followed my journey for years. I’ve been thinking about doing shows for a while, but that is as far as it has gotten - until now. But Y’all! Now that I’m committed, there is so much to do and to buy. My hope is that I come close to breaking even. But it’s okay, because it will grow me. From there, I will already have what’s needed to do more shows. It will be nice to meet people in person and to tell them about my art journey and show my art.
Every day, I have been doing something to get ready for this show. My art is so unorganized right now and so I’m taking an inventory, varnishing old works, matting, framing, packaging pieces. It is daunting when I see what all is ahead of me! Yikes!!
This morning, I was once again reminded to simply be in the present moment. Letting in the gift of space and time - fully and with purpose. As I was having my coffee on the porch, the sun filtered through the trees in my backyard. It was so beautiful and made my heart full. I just sat there without too much thought and really saw the scene at that moment in time. The golden sun’s rays filtering through the trees. The way the leaves moved back and forth as if they were being energized by this marvelous light shining down on them. The sounds of insects and birds all around me. It was magical. It wasn’t long though, maybe a minute until I had the thought to photograph it. That took me out of the moment, and yet I did photograph it, despite knowing that I had cheated myself of a little more heaven on earth by coming back to my thoughts.
I realize I’m rambling here, but there is a point to this post. And that is, no matter how hectic life gets, or what circumstances we find ourselves, there is a place we can go to simply breathe. That place? In the moment. Sounds incredibly simple, but really, try it. Just BE in the moment. Taking in the sights, sounds, smells without thoughts or to-do lists or worries. Just RELAX in that moment! Really BE THERE and not in your head. Even if it’s only for a minute. Consider it a minute vacation. I dare you to try it. If we will do this, it will help us to get through the overwhelm one moment at a time. And as far as my art “business,” I will keep trying. Promise.
Sending my best,
Connie
