A good start on a new painting
I’m retreating. Not retreat like the forced withdrawal of troops. Retreat like refuge. Five days of clear studio time. No jobs, no community responsibilities, no promises to keep.
It’s been the best day. A little extra sleep, brunch with a newspaper, good studio time and a good start on a new painting, a friend over for coffee, cuddles with the cat, birds singing in my garden, some work on a course I’m taking. Even a very welcome small rainfall in late afternoon.
And more of the same tomorrow. Work, rest, companionship. I feel more relaxed than in weeks.
But as cartoon character Eloise would say, here’s the thing of it. This is not usual. Like everyone, I meet responsibilities and deadlines that have nothing to do with this. It can be really hard, convincing the world and yourself that making art is what you actually do.
Convincing the world. Convincing yourself. Maybe it’s the latter that’s important. For these five days, making art is what I do. Who knows whom I will end up convincing?
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