Art Interrupted: Day 1
There are so many wonderful initiatives going on during the month of November.
I want to take part. I really do. I know the point of these are to "force" participants into a self-discipline, into carving out time for writing or art that would otherwise get pushed aside.
Self-discipline has never been my strong point.
I also realized recently that I value my family time as much as my creative time. All of it is sacred to me. I don't want to put my kids in front of the t.v. so that I can write, or skip park time on the weekend so that I can get a painting done for the day. (And Yes, you ultra-disciplined people out there, I could wake up at 5:00 in the morning for an hour of creative time. I'd offer a rebuttal to this, but I can't stop laughing at the thought of me actually getting out of bed at 5 a.m.)
In remaining committed to all of those things that matter to my heart, I decided to participate in the Art Everyday Challenge, but to do my own version - my personal way of honoring what is going on in my family life while honoring my call to create.
I'm calling it, "Art Interrupted".
Each day, I will create some piece of art (writing, photography series, painting) during any time that my family members are happily entertained. (Yes, this is close to Art Everyday. But it creates a more personal sense of inner-ease, if only because I feel that I have the permission to start and start again once my family responsibilities are taken care of.) I may start a new piece, work on an existing piece, or add the finishing touches to one that has been sitting around forever. I might go on a photo hike (with my kids), I might write 1,000 words or 100, and I might finger paint or sketch while I wait for the bus to arrive.
If I am called to read a story, kiss a boo-boo, break up a fight, make dinner, answer a phone call, or let out the dog, I will. Without holding a grudge.
After all, the point of this art is to experience what creative expression is in the flow of everyday life.
The entire point of this is to paint or write while pausing to switch the laundry or help with homework. In truth, all of this is art. All of this is a creative venture in which I am blessed to participate.
But this art - this "Art Interrupted" - this is special. This is my sacred time where I open to that calling within and the two of us...Just Us...have a conversation. It is like calling up my mom. She knows that when the kids are yelling in the background that I need to pause our conversation for just a minute. She understands. But I also don't forget that she is on the phone. Our conversation is just as important.
I aim to share the creations every day, if they are appropriate to share. (Some days, my Art Interrupted might be pages of pages in writing in my journal.) The photos will often not be edited - just raw from the camera. I don't want to spend extra time editing. (I will be sharing either here and/or at the newly created Art Interrupted Facebook group. Scroll down to read more about that.)
I share only to keep myself accountable, not so that I can get feedback on what is created. If I know someone out there is waiting to see what I've done, I'm more likely to actually do it than to skip out on it. But if I believe someone is out there waiting to judge what I've done, I'm more likely to skip out on it than actually do it.
Perhaps appropriately, I begin this journey on November 2nd.
Here's Day 1:
A painting with sponged acrylic paint, done while the kids sort and trade their Halloween candy and my husband prepares egg salad sandwiches for lunch.
If nothing else, it is a great background on which I'll continue my creative expression.
You can feel free to join me if you would like. I don't have an official sign-up widget or twitter hashtag. I don't want to compete with the other November initiatives, nor to add one more thing to your to-do list.
If this is something you feel called to do, please, honor that calling.
Remember: You can always join Leah Piken Kolidas' challenge at http://creativeeveryday.com/art-every-day-month. I highly recommend at least stopping by her site, and perhaps checking out the other participants to get inspired.
If what you do is something you feel called to share, or want help staying accountable to your practice, please post your thoughts or photos on the Facebook Group, Art Interrupted.
You can find that group HERE.
( https://www.facebook.com/groups/678184528859217/ )
Here is to our creative journey, whatever path you might take.
Namaste.