Comments for The Art of the Moment

Comment on Thoughts on a Rainy Weekend by Anne Elizabeth Baldwin

Anne Elizabeth Baldwin — Sat, 28 May 2011 09:08:38 +0000

Thanks Liz. I usually nap more than I work, myself. {smile}

I need to remember that, about being the best me. Comparing myself by standards made for other people is all too easy. Those standards are made for typical people with typical problems. I’ve never been typical in my life, and neither have my problems. {rueful smile}

Being the best me… seems so much more achievable a goal. Thanks. {Smile}

Anne Elizabeth Baldwin

Comment on Thoughts on a Rainy Weekend by Liz Bennefeld

Liz Bennefeld — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:24:02 +0000

Anne, there are many days when I nap more hours than I work. For myself, one of the keys is being the best “me” I can be, rather than comparing myself to someone else…or trying to be someone/something I’m not. I have chemical/fragrance sensitivities, and until such time as civilization discontinues use of petroleum and fragranced products…well, I’m going to die before that day arrives. Question for me is, what types and amounts of creative activity can I handle in the lifestyle that accommodates my peculiar functional parameters?

Comment on Thoughts on a Rainy Weekend by Anne Elizabeth Baldwin

Anne Elizabeth Baldwin — Fri, 27 May 2011 06:44:19 +0000

I’ve been struggling with some of the same questions. I know how hard most full-time writers work, and I just don’t have that kind of stamina. I’ll be writing like I’m writing “on the side,” even if I don’t have a regular job for it to be on the side of. I find that hard to accept; it feels like I’m contributing little to society. {bite lips}

I’m still searching for ways to convince myself otherwise. {small smile}

Anne Elizabeth Baldwin

Comment on Thoughts on a Rainy Weekend by Do what you love and, then what? « Art Calling

Do what you love and, then what? « Art Calling — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:08:14 +0000

[...] Liz’s post questions the wisdom in this without becoming cynical. [...]

Comment on Thoughts on a Rainy Weekend by sarah

sarah — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:57:51 +0000

Liz, I love this post, it is long needed and something I am starting to realize as well. Doing so takes the pressure off and the desperation out of having to survive from one’s art.

The little crafts shop I just opened here at home which serves craftspeople by not taking a commission, will probably in itself not be financially viable, but it feels so on track for me and so joyful. As you’ve said, it creates an opportunity for me to reach out, appreciate others’work, surround myself with beautiful handmade things and share these with friends and customers, plan events, work on my own products, generate interest in a craft economy, spread my message about the intrinsic worth of art, start a scented garden to delight people with, give free gifts, establish a local base to give back to my community, etc etc.
We have all been taught by our culture to be greedy to expect things back from what we give, to feel entitled to success if we only try hard enough. Your post is a gerat response to that. Thanks again. I will link it to my blog, warm wishes,
sarah