The Artist's Way: Week Three

[kygirl]

We'll be exploring all kinds of interesting topics: anger, synchronicity, shame, criticism and growth. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the reading.

[Lumilyon]

I'm in Holland this week! Does anyone have chapter 3 in pdf format please????
Desperately want to keep up but may be hard x

[trkdesigns]

I have been away as well. My cable company lost some transformers or something like that and I was without service for almost a week. I have been reading as well as doing my morning pages. I went to Columbus with my mom this past weekend and intended to go on an artist date to this craft store, Wholly Craft (http://www.whollycraft.net/), I saw it on the internet and thought it would be neat to check out....however it was not to be....when we got to the door, there was a sign saying that it was closed due to crafting outlaws....all we could do was laugh

[kaylaugh]

If the weather can stay dry I might get the zoo tomorrow...looks like thunderstorms are predicted though. Guess a lot depends on what time of day they'll get here. :(

Again, this chapter didn't really seem to connect with me. I had a home that nurtured creativity. But I did pick up a horrible case of perfectionism and habit of procrastination. I've been pondering what is holding me back from doing the work I know I'm capable of doing...and have a real desire to finish! I think it's tied to the fact that I hate asking for money. I love helping people, I'm good at sales...in the sense I can convince someone they need what I'm selling. I'm really horrible at closing the sale though...for asking them to pay. For some reason, deep inside I just don't have the confidence that I deserve to be paid. Not on everything...I have no problem expecting contractees or employers to pay me for my work.

Just trying to explain it is making me think through what the differences are...why some creative works are different.

For example, if I finish the curriculum I'm writing, I'll be ready to sell it and get paid. But I find myself procrastinating. Trying to write up a contract and an invoice scares me soooo much! Intellectually, I think my product is worth a lot...so does my DH. I don't think it's reasonable to expect it to sell for that amount, the market just isn't there. So I'm stuck...I hate to price it for 10% of my estimated value but I don't know if I can get that much! I suppose it's a fear of rejection...that my work isn't worth buying. And I can put off this decision while I play sudoku and fiddle with the details.

So I'm not exactly tracking along with the book but it IS making me think about what's blocking me...why I'm procrastinating. Now that I've identified a fear at the root of it, I'm determined to move past this...I hate letting fear win!

Kristi

[clickhappy]

I got most of the written exercises done yesterday. It helped me to think about who I admired and how to grow some of those characteristics in myself.
My artist date yesterday was to the little art museum in town here and to the local handmade candy store with my dd. (I know she is a tag-a-long. I will steal some more time to myself though.) I'd never been to this art museum and it was pretty neat. One display was small pieces,those less than 12 x12 inches multimedia. Perfect for us scrappy types.
The small changes from last week are still on my mind and some things are being implemented.
Procrastination is still a factor but I am getting ready to break free of some of that too. Like Kristi I have to price something - my starting photoshoots- and I am really afraid to go there and can talk myself into thinking it is never going to work in today's economy etc. I know the steps I need to take to get an idea what it will cost and what the market is like, but that is an area of major procrastination. I am ready to invest in a little more equipment so I may make that my reward for getting that work done. But where is my sense of urgency?

[kygirl]

I must be a slow processor because I've been thinking more about last week's lesson than this week's lesson. I've been looking seriously at the crazymakers in my life and my own procrastination tendencies. Like Kristi, I'm confronting the fact that I find it easier just to let things slide than to deal with them.

For my Artist's Date, I went to Big Lots. I just love that place with its little bargains and eclectic goods. I didn't find anything I needed in the craft section, but I had fun looking.

[Lumilyon]

I'm Holland with the biggest Crazymaker in my life: my dad. I shouldn't complain because he's paid for me to come here with him to see my little brother but I am beginning to feel the strain!
As I don't have the book with me, I'm still thinking about last week's issues. It's been hard to keep up with the daily pages but so far, I haven't missed one day.
My artist's date this week will be a trip to Amsterdam tomorrow. Does this win the prize for the most exotic Artist's Date?????

[kaylaugh]

well, it's raining...again. Plus on the Ft. Worth zoo website there's a photography policy...I can't use my pics for commercial uses without prior written consent. And their commercial photography fees are super high! But I'm not shooting professional portraits or anything, I just want some stock animal photos to use to make brushes, stickers, etc. and maybe some animal print papers. So I'll talk to the zoological society and see if there's a way to do it.

In the meantime, I'm thinking a great indoor place for inspiration is a local home improvement store. I may be my DD to drop me off at the one next to my sister's clinic when she goes there later with her sick little puppy. I need some paint swatches anyway.

Do I get the award for the most mundane artist date? LOL!

Kristi

[kygirl]

Hardware store? Big Lots? I think it's a toss-up for the most mundane Artist's Date. LOL Seriously, though, I can spend hours at Lowes.

As for most exotic date, I think Amsterdam is the winner. Have fun, Lumi.

This time next week, I'll be in San Francisco, so surely, I'll have a better Artist's Date to report.

[gardenerjoy]

My Artist's Date(s) this week was the bookstore. Twice. With coupons both times. I peeked ahead and saw that next week is reading deprivation week, so I thought I should get in as many words as possible before the week starts.

[kygirl]

Are you sure you weren't purchasing temptation? :)

[kaylaugh]

reading deprivation? Nooooooo! I just got my Creative Zen in today so I can finally listen to my audible books while doing laundry, dishes, etc. instead of being tethered to my computer! :eek:

Kristi

[gardenerjoy]

:) Yeah. Temptation would be the other way to look at it.

I remember Reading Deprivation Week from the last time I did this over a decade ago. Memorable as being just horrible to be denied my favorite pastime, but also memorable as the single most productive week of my life.

I'm rather looking forward to it. I'm also rapidly reading my current novel so that I'm done before bedtime tonight!

[FLCindy]

I had an impromptu AD last week. My Mom and I flew to NY to visit my Aunt. She passed away 2 days after we arrived. (cancer). We were busy helping with the funeral arrangements, finding warm funeral clothing, watching my Aunt's grandkids, ect.....

After the funeral and gravesite prayer, we returned to the church. The church members made a wonderful meal for those who attended the funeral. After a while, I needed a break from everyone. I went outside and walked through the graveyard in back of the church. I took some pictures. Then, I walked through another graveyard across the road from a church.

As I walked to the back of the graveyard I heard rushing water. To my delight, I found a small trail that led to a waterfall. I took some more photos. Then, I sat and just took in the energy of nature. I let out deep breaths as autumn leaves softly fell into the water. Those precious minutes by myself at the waterfall was what I needed to refresh my soul.

[kygirl]

What a wonderful and much-needed Artist Date. I think what you've described is a perfect example of synchronicity. You needed a quiet place, and there it was.

I had my own synchronicity moment this week. My daughter was getting my grandson ready for bed on Tuesday night and mentioned that Max needed new pajamas. My husband arrives home a few hours later, toting a bag of pajamas that one of his co-workers had dropped off for Max. Not an earth-shattering moment by any means, but one that shows that synchronicity is all around us.

[clickhappy]

I felt some synchronicity this week too.
I have been needing a couple of camera assesories to really get going on my next big project and had the money saved once, but had to dip into it. Then I earned it back, but was having so much insecurity about my extended family and their finances that I couldn't bring myself to move on this either. Finally with the help of the book reading and exercises and time passing, I was on the verge of ready......but I could still feel the critical voice saying I shouldn't spend the money on art/on myself/on a dream. :(I was wrestling to shut these out when I got some money that I didn't plan on early. So the parts are finally ordered.