Headway

As I wrote to a friend in an e-mail earlier this evening, there's nothing like having to create a predetermined number of pieces, to meet a particular deadline, for a specific sum of money to take the fun out of something. And while sitting down to work tonight took all day, there is also nothing like the joy of creating something that you really love to put the fun back in.
I thought this piece was done, and it was already hanging with all the rest, but something made me pull it down and start noodling with it a bit more, replacing a silver wrapped stick with turkey feathers and wooden beads. The piece really came alive for me, and now everything I've done so far looks even better.
I think I have about 14 more pieces to go. Mostly the basic found metal pieces which are becoming a chore precisely because they require less effort.
I'm a big proponent of walking away from things for a while and coming back to them fresh. Although I understand the value of tenacity and focus, I truly believe that hunkering down and pushing oneself isn't always the way to accomplish one's best work.
I've learned the value of slowing down and not being hell bent on the finish line. (Though truth be told, it's a whole lot easier to relax when the end is in sight and not some distant still unforseeable goal. Funny thing is, a few days - sometimes a few hours - can make all the difference in the world!)
I'm in awe of artists who can sit down to work for 8, 10, 12 hours at a clip. It's just not my style. But who's to say? Maybe if I were a studio artist who could work all day and not jump from one thing to the next out of necessity, I'd be able to summon up that kind of focus and happily work in the zone for hours at a time. Maybe I'll even be blessed enough one day to have that luxury. I know that while I am at Omega as artist in residence each summer, it's a joy to spend hours alone working without distraction for days on end. The project I started while there in May still awaits my return. Perhaps this winter when things slow and settle down.
In the mean time, one of the things I am enjoying about being home all week is having the time and space to blog more.