‘I was out walking the dear dog and I saw 500 things that made me want to make art’ -maira kalman*
this is an appropriate quote for me today. I wanted to do an illustration to go with it of lots of different things found on the street.
but I had to choose between drawing and putting manuscripts together. that's what life is like, you have to choose all the time. do i want to pay bills, or move my body? do I want to read a book, or do i want to return overdue phonecalls?
it is endless. i work on compromising. if i do this, then i get to draw for a few hours later. bribery works. i might add a section on that to my next book. how to get your work done everytime...keep several items (or tasks) on hand to bribe yourself with when you are feeling unmotivated. things i regularly use to bribe myself...
...candy (sweet tarts, licorice, chocolate)
...a walk in the woods (not as effective when it is cold out)
...tea and cookies
...going to the mail (I get a lot of fun mail)
...coffee at the cafe and drawing session (love it)
...time with my husband
*(in light of a recent conversation with the talented summer pierre)
Posted by kerismith at November 12, 2004 11:25 AMHi Keri,
This is what I have been trying to do I had a plan to take an hours walk every lunchtime for a week, and collect something each day on the walk, and at the end of the week make a drawing of all these objects, the trouble is I cant find anything! cigarette butts on the path, and a few greasy bits of plastic...
the idea was to actually collect an ojbect and draw it, rather than making an imaginative composition, maybe its the town where I work, Athlone in Ireland, it's too small to have many curious objects littered around the (very few) streets :) anyhow, I have renewed purpose after reading your post and the quote by maria kalman and am looking forward to lunchtime to try again!
Hey Keri, I found you post today very inspiring...
its good to hear I'm not the only one who procrastinates ; )
Hello,
You probably already know this but just in case... Living Out Loud is mentioned ("a great creativity guide") in the premier (Winter 2004) issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine (page 90).
Happy Saturday,
Posted by: Pioneer Melissa on November 13, 2004 09:11 AMHello Keri, do you have any plans for more 'wish jar tales' or is that a project that has naturally come to an end?
Posted by: Dawn Irvine on November 13, 2004 06:25 AMoh, cookies works so nicely. and brisk walks in the forest, and beaded necklaces, travel catalogues... and pop music!
Posted by: josie on November 13, 2004 05:52 AMa bath with a new magazine is my bribe of choice
...and has done the trick too many times to count...
Posted by: Julie on November 12, 2004 10:52 PMI do the same thing...
if I can just get through the last few weeks of this semester, I can set up my magic studio space in the basement.
Sometimes it's just too hard to wait!
Thank you for answering my inquiry. Your website is one of my bribes...A two for one deal....Inspiration and contact with another artist! Your art and comments are often the highlight of my day!
Susan