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1600

7/19/2023

12 Comments

 
There is a rhythm here.  In life and in art.  The art rhythm sounds like this:

inspire inspire inspire
create
look look ponder
create
look look ponder
create
look look SEE
c-o-n-t-e-m-p-l-a-t-e
fuss, fuss, dab
document, photograph
l-i-s-t-e-n
write
post
p-a-u-s-e
and then - inspire inspire inspire again.
Picture
1600 is grin-worthy
Here in the p-a-u-s-e there is a big grin.  In the documenting (a spreadsheet which I have kept for over a decade) I recently typed 1600.  As in 1600 paintings.  One thousand six hundred pieces of art.  And this really means something to me.

When I first began this journey from right-brained banker-type to left-brained creative, a workshop instructor, when asked how to become a good artist, said something like "There is no shortcut to being good.  Paint 400 pieces.  Then you'll be an artist.  Or, at least you'll have some clue about what you're doing.  Four hundred.  There is no other way." (I am paraphrasing for sure, this conversation having taken place looooooong ago).  I sat in that workshop and decided in that moment to paint 400.

At 400 pieces I did have a clue.  At 800 pieces I no longer cared so much what other people thought and became rather fearless.   At around 1200 pieces I sort of lost my way and totally cared about what other people thought and tried to paint for others and questioned everything.   And now, at 1600, I am back to having a clue again and not giving a whip for the thoughts of many (but caring deeply about the thoughts of a vetted few). 

So I am standing here in the pause, looking at this wall of drying paintings, wondering what the next 400 will bring and knowing knowing without a doubt that each of you, dear readers - those who read silently and anonymously, those who read and comment, those who read and share, those who maybe skip reading and go right to the art and those who take that art home with them - you are the melody to this rhythm.  Thank you, thank you.  I am so grateful. xo


12 Comments
Thea link
7/19/2023 03:31:36 pm

Such an important post, thanks so much for sharing the numbers and where you were at which number. This is so valuable to me. I want to try this. A mentor of mine, Steve Chandler, says, we can use the process of self-tracking to get to a place of security and mastery, we can use tracking to stop torturing ourselves and "just do the doable." He also says, "What gets measured gets done."
And your post shows me how important it is to keep our own metrics, and sing our own song. You did a process goal here not an outcome goal. I love process goals! By this I mean, You asked yourself to do x number of paintings. You did the doable. That's a great daily process goal. And you got great results! You didn't ask yourself for an outcome goal like 'become a master painter in 2 years." (That wouldn't have been "doing the doable".)
Thanks as always Lola for being a shining example for me.

Reply
lola
7/20/2023 02:35:33 pm

Thea!!! Thank you for so concisely describing what I didn't even realize I was doing! But you are SO right - by tracking the numbers, I felt successful and like I was doing what I could, without having a set goal or outcome. I just DID THE WORK (like Pressfield's DO THE WORK) and then outcomes just happen. I will continue to do the work, do the doable, and let the path unfold as it will. XO

Reply
Carl Stoveland link
7/19/2023 03:34:52 pm

The view from 1600 sounds grand. I’m not sure of my total numbers but I get the rhythm idea. I feel that for sure. In the last 2 years I’ve done 80 watercolors about another 80 watercolor demos for classes hundreds of sketches and about 50 acrylics and oils. The more I get under my belt the better all of it gets. Teaching really turned up the heat for me to level up several times this year.

Reply
lola
7/20/2023 02:36:48 pm

Holy heck, Carl - you are by far the most productive artist I know. Your tenacity and pace always inspire me to KEEP MOVING. I am quite certain your numbers double mine. And the results are spectacular! You just create in multiple mediums with ease and grace. I am agog.

Reply
Carl Stoveland
7/20/2023 02:48:28 pm

I have not been at it as long as you. I’m sure I’m drafting off the path you set, but thank you.

lola
7/20/2023 02:54:39 pm

Carl, you are so very welcome! You always inspire me!

Reply
Sandra Shane
7/19/2023 04:43:32 pm

Thank you for not stopping at 400! I really love your fearless creativity and wonderful poetry! I follow you faithfully on Facebook and hope you always follow your heart when doing your art and living your best life!

Reply
lola
7/20/2023 02:37:26 pm

Sandra!!!! Thank you SO much for leaving a comment and for following my story! You made me GRIN so big! xoxoxo

Reply
Dotty Seiter gmail link
7/19/2023 05:26:13 pm

from Elizabeth Berg's novel Joy School

It's a good thing
to let people know
how much you like them.
It's strange but true
that people usually
forget to do that,
but when you see
how the littlest compliment
can make a person
sit up lively
you say to yourself,
oh yeah.

Lola, I'm sitting here spreading my arms as wide as I can to tell you how much I like you and your art! All 1600 pieces of your art!

Reply
lola
7/20/2023 02:38:23 pm

Dotty.....omg I am teary. That poem! YES! And you made me "sit up lively" and feel SEEN. Thank you. What a gift you just gave me. Thank you. xo

Reply
Carol Edan link
7/20/2023 01:01:58 am

Congrats! Also for keeping track! "doing the doable" is my new motto.
Probably not so great numbers.... maybe even less than 100... but something DOABLE for me!

Reply
lola
7/20/2023 02:39:18 pm

Carol! Thank you! Doing the doable...doing the work! The size of the numbers don't matter. Just that you keep creating. Your work is astonishing, and you're always exploring. You are a role model for me!

Reply



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