14 Comments

I love this post. We must not go gently into that good night. We must keep our ideas well above our station.

Expand full comment

Thank you 🙏 really appreciate your words.

Expand full comment

I find my 9-5 days enhance my Creative days. And vice-versa. I'm sure they somehow need to co-exist for me. I appreciate the honesty you bring to everything you write here. That's fed by something else that's possibly unrelated...? Just a thought.

Expand full comment

Thanks for taking the time to comment Ann. I guess the grass could be greener somewhat, as I have the money from my job so I don’t have any worries around painting. I plan to reduce my work week to 4 days next year, so I can give one day a week to my art practice.

I just feel pretty exhausted after a work week and I long to devote long periods of time to deep art creation.

Interesting, what do you mean re the last point?

Expand full comment

Exactly. Energy management is so important. Deciding how many days to devote to your art and then making it happen can take a lot of patience. I really hope you find the sweet spot that balances your week.

Expand full comment

Well, I think there’s something about your 9-to-5 job that enhances your painting. Even if it’s just to increase your feeling of freedom and ease, as you lean into a day that has a different rhythm. This freedom has an energy that’s useful.

Expand full comment

On your point, did you know Lowry was a rent collector for many years and he painted in his spare time :-)

Expand full comment

I’m sure dealing with people, their money, their stories and real life dramas would probably provide much creative fuel.

Expand full comment

I love this point. Thank you. The truth is, I don’t know. I’ve thought of finding a day job working for an arts company using my tech skills and at least it’s moving in the right direction.

Saying that, I’m incredibly satisfied by curating and setting up an art exhibition at my workplace recently. It’s been incredible.

You’re right though, I do feel a sense of freedom from my art.

I appreciate your words. I just had the idea of take some time off next year to work on my art, like a 4 day weekend to explore how things would feel.

Expand full comment

Just to give you an example from my life: I spend my work days in healthcare, covered in layers of PPE, focusing 100% on the needs of my patients, and working indoors. My creative days are the exact opposite. I’m outside walking in the forest with a very relaxed mind. I feel such a freedom and gratitude that makes me want to do something beautiful with that energy. Then I go back to work aired-out, refreshed and ready to be of service again.

Expand full comment

Hats off to you for working in healthcare. Do you enjoy it? I can see how the contrast can be satisfying.

I think a next move of mine would be either part time work or remote work, so I can get down the art studio more often.

Expand full comment

I love it. Dentistry is such a cool combination of art and science. Patients are endlessly interesting to me. I feel so happy when I get to help someone reframe past negative experiences and see their oral health in the light of wellness and kindness. It’s full-contact arts and crafts: tiny delicate surgery practiced in a small dark room the size of an orange :)

Part time work is the ticket! I share a job with another nurse and we split the week. She and I have the flexibility to cover for each other whenever one of us needs a day off. I hope you can find something part time or remote that supports your creative growth.

Expand full comment

“No ideas above your station” - I love that line. As someone with lots of traffic above my station; from ideas to anxiety. There are days where I too wish I wasn’t constantly seeking more. Then I start doing a thing and the output makes me grateful for this creative fire.

Well written piece!

Expand full comment

Thank you. I totally get it, it’s tiring but it’s a calling to be creative! That creative fire is the best! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! 🙏

Expand full comment