I recently heard the phrase "the mess is the message" and I fully embrace that. I've been trying to be as open about this process as possible and take you with me without sounding as insane as I sometimes feel. Change can be hard, especially something as life altering as what I've just done. The shop has been closed for a full month now which is hard to believe, honestly, but there you have it. The first week was really challenging. Lots of doubting my choice and pacing in circles around my house. I felt a bit like a caged animal. I didn't know where to channel my energy. I felt alone.
But I do have to say that now, with a little distance, I already feel the freedom and openness that I had hoped to feel. Other ideas are percolating, and there is finally room to explore them. Not only ideas in art, but also life, and how I want to exist in the world. Time is precious and short and I'm feeling empowered that I am choosing how I spend my time, rather than just doing what I've always done because that's the way I've always done it.
Slow progress is being made...on a warm day I finally decided to unpack and organize all the stock on my back porch and I unpacked the computer and set it up too. Doing this gave me comfort and started to break up the ice.
Then I set up a little photo station in my bedroom, pictured above, and its going to suit me just fine. I hung a large hook for the pendants, and have lots of things I can use as props in the photos. It feels cozy. I'll be posting more images of available lighting soon.
I haven't been making anything artistic. Sometimes I feel a little guilty about that, but I am trusting that when its time it will be time, and I'm not going to try and push the river.
Instead, I have been channeling my energy towards creating new programs for coaching and consulting, and will be working with my first client this month! Woot! I have SO much wisdom to share and I'm happy to be able to have the time to parse it out and organize it so that it may be of use to others.
I've been doing the coaching and consulting on a really informal basis for many years. Often artists will approach me with questions about wholesale, how to get into galleries, how to develop a product line, pricing, and on and on. I'm always super happy to share what I've learned over the years and have been wanting to do something more formal and structured for a while, and now's the time! I'm offering free 15 minute consultations to see if we are a good fit and I can help, so if you are interested in learning more please click here.
I'm also initiating some virtual critique sessions. I will do this on an individual basis to start, and then I hope to be able to offer it in a group setting, and perhaps in person as well. In order to grow as an artist its important to get feedback that's honest and constructive, and that is not always easy to come by. Your mom or your friend or your uncle Joey are not going to give it to you straight. But I will! Gently, of course. :)
So, overall I'm feeling pretty good! Some bumps on the road, for sure, but that was to be expected. I need to keep reminding myself to trust the process, and my choices, and that it will take time for the dust to really settle so I can continue to find my way forward.
So far, so good.
Thanks for staying with me!
And if you want to get coaching or critiquing please reach out!
xo
T
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