SMALL TRUTHS

Small truths are, is seems after all is pondered, the greatest. As the years press on they strike me as soul stirring insights that masquerade as tiny unobtrusive thoughts. So simple and direct are they that like dust they settle in the corners and 'out of the way' parts of our minds with little notice....

Until we seek them out, they wait patiently for us.

This quote below by Channing is one such 'waiting small truth'. I don't know about you but it rings resoundingly for me.
~~~~~
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard, to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common — this is my symphony. ~ william henry channing

MY DOMESTIC POLICY IS "FROZEN AND CLEAN"

My 'DOMESTIC POLICY' is FROZEN and CLEAN!

Ok I really should explain...

Each year most of us review our lives - goals, priorities, issues, outcomes.

For me, each yearly review almost always comes back to Frozen and Clean....

(still curious? read on).

When I was in my early 20's I thought "perfect" housekeeping mattered, that cooking (tho I stink at it) should be routinely attempted lol and EVERY piece of laundry in the hamper was a major issue'. In my MID-20's I wondered about the veracity of the previously mentioned points and wavered a bit (ok, ok, I staggared and fell.. lol). AS I slid toward the end of my 20's I decided I was going to have to more or less choose priorities... I know (and have unDYING respect for!) women who can run a business or hold a job, run a household, maintain a good marriage and function within the bounds of sanity all at the same time - in fact I tried to sign up for classes instructing how this is accomplished but DAMN! no one offered any...

Thus I decided I needed to develop a 'DOMESTIC POLICY' that was within my grasp.

So I trimmed the list of MUST DO DAILY.

I re-arranged the list of 'IMPORTANT'

I pondered the meaning of life.

I figured out how many hours it ACTUALLY takes me to run a business well.

I calculated time for fun (like spending time here),

I figured in some time for 'being there' for people I love

(and a few minutes for people I like too :-)

I reviewed time spent with my DH

(still adore him - quite a lot as a matter of fact).

Crunched a few numbers, ate a few twinkies laid it all out with business plan efficiency and clarity. My bottom line (no pun intended!) domestic plan for a life I can both manage and enjoy is this:

A FREEZER FULL OF FROZEN DINNERS & CLEAN UNDERWARE.

Maybe if 2007 is a good year I'll upgrade my domestic policy to include

NEW UNDERWARE and some of the GOOD frozen dinners! lol......Then again the upgrade may have to wait till 2008!

THE CLASH OF MUSE & CASH

CREATIVITY AND CASH CLASH

AKA the muse/money dance...

I shared a series of interesting emails with a marketing student of mine recently discussing the clash between pure creativity and the reality of cash flow. It's a netty but necessary issue that touches each of us, be we full time carrer artists or those who create solely for personal fullfilment. Interestingly, I think it's a multi-faceted issue that has no simple answer.

In my marketing classes I tell my particpants that part of the creative journey is to discover what their personal need and style is - you have to form a a business based on both who you are, what you desire from the business in the final outcome. That's clear. What's less clear is how much your muse will rule each day, session, hour - and how much cash flow will affect your creative choices.

Do you choose to create ONLY what clients respond to, what markets well? Do you work with clients who desire a great deal of input in your art as you create a pieces(s) for them? Or do you remain aloof, choosing to create by 'following only your own heart?' As the market of self representing and gallery represented artist grows, as the number of shows and festivals increases it's a question that each artist will find they must consider.

Is there a 'correct' answer? I don't think so. Each life, each muse, each fiscal reality and desired outcome is different for each artist. And to further complicate the issue, at various times the reality can and often does alter, meaning that the weight you give to creativity/muse vs financial recompense can change throughout the years of your creative journey......

No, there's no simple answer. But if you can establish what your goals and needs are as you create your works, it certainly gives you a bit of roadmap to guide you!