I had a bad case of post-exhibition letdown. Of course, it doesn’t feel like post-exhibition letdown when you’re in it. It feels as if the world has no purpose or structure and like you’ve lost your last friend. It’s convincing. As convincing as any other short term grief.
And it is grief. You were completely focused on a goal and then you reached it. You knew who you were and what you were supposed to do, and now you don’t. There’s a big hole to be filled.
What to do? Talk to someone, or several someones. Cry if necessary. Think hard. Look for a new path. Pick one. Waver. Make wild plans. Look for someone to blame. Take on not-relevant commitments that you’ll have to get out of later. Try not to give up. Make a decision. Go back to work.
So this is what I’m going to do. I’m going back to work. In the next week or so, I’m going to complete the last in a series of three tiny (5″ x 7″) Grasslands landscape paintings. There’s a gallery shop waiting for them. Then I’m going to make a good start on a new piece for the Assiniboia Gallery, representing my artwork in Regina, SK. At 24″ x 30″, it will be my biggest painting over a year. I’m also going to finish this blog post, file my overdue GST return, and deal with the mighty pile of paperwork that has accumulated on my dining room table. I’m going to keep on getting my neglected flower garden going for the season – not as late as it sounds because it froze here last week, but still. I’m going to spend some time with friends, show up where I’ve said I will, and say “no” once to something not my responsibility, just for practice.
And I’m going to take a break from feeling tired and discouraged, and give feeling lucky and excited a try. I’m ready to move on.
How do you move on in your artist’s life? If you’d like to talk about it, please get in touch. First, please read about artist mentoring with Laureen right here. Then send me a message using this form. Tell me – who you are. What you do. How long you’ve been doing it. The challenges you’re facing. What you want to be different. I’ll respond with an offer of a one-hour introductory mentoring session where we get straight down to work on your goals. This is the only way we can both know for sure whether I am the right mentor for you. There is no charge for the introductory session. And no obligation.
And for readers of this blog and only until June 8, I have an extra special offer.
If we both decide after the introductory session that we’re a good fit, you’ll make a four month commitment. My usual charge for this is $75 per 1-1/4 hour session, one session per month. Because I understand the artist’s budget, I’ll invoice you before each session, at the beginning of the month. You can pay by cheque, credit card, or PayPal account. We’ll set up the timing of the sessions as we go.
Here’s the special offer: the last session in your four month commitment will be free of charge. That means you get a no-charge/no-obligation introductory session and a no-charge final session. Five sessions for the price of three. Think of all you could accomplish in six months. The world would be a different place.
Remember, while Artist Mentoring with Laureen will still be available after June 8, this special offer will be gone. Don’t miss it.
What are you ready to move on to?
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