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.

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

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

“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.” 

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