Do not forget about yourself, listen to the art!

Welcome to my s~A(R)T~urday linky party – today: Listen to the art

“The whole culture is telling you to hurry, while the art tells you to take your time. Always listen to the art.”
~ Junot Diaz ~

A lways listen to the art… Hmm, I would love doing that. But sometimes the daily noise is just too loud. So distracting that I cannot focus my attention on art. I am sure I’m not along with this. For me those are the times that I choose to not listen. But to wait until I can fully appreciate it. I want to be able to listen, to feel and to enjoy creating art.

I feel compelled to create art at almost all times. But I am not always entirely successful. My daytime job is a good place, but is not a place for art. And the fact that I cannot listen to the art while I am in the office means that I will try twice as hard to listen to it and create some when I am at home.

Which is why today (* psssst – I wrote this post Thursday night…) I left work early to have an extra long weekend. And so I spent 80 % of the afternoon – taking my time. I did listen to the art and picked up my pen, brushes and colors and painted.

I was full of anticipation and happy to start and – it didn’t go so well. I did a sketch and another and then a third one. Still not happy with them, I persevered and I kept on drawing. I took my time and listened to the art.

I tried hard not to pay attention, listen to my inner critic. The voice that said ‘stop trying, you’ll never get the mouth right, the proportions are totally off and look at those eyes, why do you even bother?!’.

It was my time and I listened to myself and spent it my way. I practiced drawing. And in the end I did this painting. The blue lady, perfect in her own imperfection.

And just in case you’re wondering what I did with the other 20 % of the afternoon – I worked out and did my ol’ body some good.

We all know how important it is to take care of our body, but how about our mind and soul? Are you listening to your own needs and wishes?

What have you done for yourself lately? Feel free to share with us in the comments.

[Tweet “Take care of yourself – listen to your own needs and wishes. What have you done for yourself lately?”]

Blue lady, painting, face




 *** Here is where I link up today. ***

Please help me spread the word about my Saturday Art Linkup and grab my badge below:

sARTurday

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://ImagesByCW.com” title=”ImagesByCW Photography”><img src=”http://www.imagesbycw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sARTurday.png” alt=”ImagesByCW Photography” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>
I hope that over time we will be building a community dedicated to art and creating. I rather like these words said by Andy Warhol:

 

Don’t think about making art, just get it done.

Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. 

While they are deciding, make even more art.” 

[inlinkz_linkup id=599137 mode=1]

Why don’t you join me along my journey and follow me on fbgo and tw if you prefer and see what I come up with next. You may, of course, also [et_bloom_inline optin_id=”optin_3″]

Drop me a comment and you’ll make me smile!

claudia3

24 thoughts on “Do not forget about yourself, listen to the art!”

  1. And I listen to my heart – (because I am not an artist and cannot listen to my art….) and it tells to me: “Claudia is a good one” and my eyes tell me: ” she is a great Malerin!
    Herzlich Pippa

    Reply
  2. Hi Claudia, what a perfect way to spend a ‘stolen’ afternoon! Having the time to be able to take your time and focus on something you enjoy doing is good for the mind and soul. I love the look in your creations eyes, she looks like she’s seen it all! And the blue of the hair compliments her eyes nicely.

    xx

    Reply
  3. I need to get better at that. I listen to my brain and other people’s thoughts about how I should do things way too much. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Unlike you, I don’t have a day job per se … not that I don’t have responsibilities. I am retired so my schedule is pretty much of my own making. But, there are others that force the issue and insist on my attentions at particular times, like my cats who get me up at exactly 7:00AM because in their minds it is time for breakfast. My dog has a routine she likes to follow and the birds outside need to be fed early, especially when it is freezing out, as it is today. My family members are more willing to fit around my schedule as it falls into place. And, yes, I do get the call to be creative. Unfortunately I don’t have the talent to do many kinds of art, but I find satisfaction in my photography and in digitally altering my pictures so that it feels like art … it is art and I get great satisfaction from it, most of the time. There are those times, as all of you know, where nothing seems to happen or at least nothing to your liking. I find that at those times it is best to walk away and come back another time. That may not be following the art, but it works for me so that is what I do. Claudia, your blue lady has a sadness about her or maybe it is just pensive … she is lovely though and I would love to see her with a smile. Your talent is such a gift and a gift for me that I have found your blog and can share in it. Thank you for that …

    Andrea @ From The Sol

    Reply
    • Haha – yes, our pets, they can be very hard to ‘reason’ with, right?! I am glad to hear though that you have got the rest of your family on your side. I really think that your art is outstanding. The things you create from your photos are great, and almost most of all I love that you keep experimenting and exploring. Very admirable. And I appreciate very much that you support my endeavors by visiting my blog. Thank you, Andrea.

      Reply
  5. And you said you couldn’t write well! LOVE all of this. The blue lady AND your reflective words today. This, This, all of this!! You know it’s exactly how I’ve been traveling for a good year now. Now, the odd part: I didn’t do for myself this week. Oh, I wanted to, believe me. I want to get back to my beach story so so bad. But I have little ones, and one in particular has been after me to do an “art” project with her for a few weeks now. So this week was her turn. Unfortunately, she also woke up with pink eye this morning so I have to take her to the clinic and cannot finish the post —- but we will be back tonight with our own version of Art. 🙂

    Reply
    • And ‘your version of art’ (btw – art is always very subjective) is oh so creative, I loved reading your story. Thank you for your kind words about my writing, I still think / know that I cannot write well, in fact, I am sure that D. would consider my post ‘babbling along’ 🙂 I cannot wait to read more of your beach story either, hopefully soon!

      Reply
  6. This is a very important message. I always put off my writing to do things I “need”to do. Then I feel incomplete, off kilter, out of sync. Thank you for your beautiful art and messages. Hugs.

    Reply
    • You are so right. A lot of times I ‘find’ things that need to be done first, before I can sit down and be creative. And sometimes when I am done with all those found things… it is time to make dinner or go to bed. I am slowly starting to train myself to ‘ignore’ some things until I have actually created something. I realize that is not possible with everything, but there are a few things that can wait.

      Reply
  7. Love the blue lady. I’m really drawn to her eyes… I feel like I’m doing something for my mind and body today. I’ve been feeling off the past few days and still keep going… doing chores, cleaning, taking care of the kids, cooking etc. Today, I’m doing nothing, or at least not much of anything. I’m still in my pj’s and I’m trying to relax and let my body rest, even though a little voice inside my head wants me to go outside to enjoy this pretty day. But I know that I need this rest, to feel better… Hope you are enjoying your weekend and your birthday! Alles Gute!!! xoxo

    Reply
    • That’s good to hear, Susi! It is wonderful that you are actually listening to your body, noticing that you need the rest and commit to it. If you didn’t, in the end you’d simply burn out. Not something you or I want.
      The weekend was wonderful! I love that place, it is sooooo relaxing.

      Reply
  8. So true! It’ bad that I can’t remember the last time I did something for myself. Being a wife and a mother, I kind of put my self on hold and do everything for everyone else but neglect myself. Something that I need to change!

    Reply
    • Yeah, being a mother is a 24/7 job, right? But it is all the more important that you carve out some times for yourself to recharge and then be able to be there for your family even better. In the beginning it may take some adjusting on both ends, but in the end it will be a win/win for everyone, I am sure.

      Reply
  9. I thought I did comment but obviously not. I like the blue hair. Would love to try it 🙂
    re a comment you made: I do have a domain. It is NatureFootstep.com 🙂

    Reply
  10. I really like this drawing. It is so difficult to take more time out for ourselves especially if we have children. I love to be creative and come up with projects when time permits.

    Reply
  11. That’s an awesome story – listen to your heart and body. My inner critic is actually quite rude. I’m glad you managed to do this beautiful artwork and then do the body some good. It’s the perfect afternoon.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Claudia Willison / ImagesByCWCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.