It’s an Artist thing…

I got many books for Christmas. People clearly think I should read a lot. I’ve started three of them, and I still have to finish another that I had on the go before Christmas. I don’t know where I am supposed to get the time to do all these things. I have two books on a Kindle, a hardback by my bed, a paperback downstairs on my coffee table, and a dip-in-and-change-your-life book which is the one I’m going to discuss this whimsical day. 

The Artist’s Way

Proven, nay promises (with testimonials) to change your life. So long as you stick to it. Ah, there’s the issue. No. I shall stick to it. I read the first bit and it gave examples of things to do so you can be a successful, non-fearful, enigmatic, creator that never not ever again, gets stuck in a crappy creative conundrum or procrastinating pickle. If you do what it says, you might turn into a Picasso or a best-selling novelist. Whatever it is you create, this book gets you to the top of your game. Well, I had to give that a try. 

I read the first part and then it asked me to sign a contract before continuing on the twelve-week course. Hmmm, didn’t do that. It’s not that I’m not committed but maybe I should be… I didn’t want to ruin a good book by writing in it. That’s what I’m going with.  But I am sticking to it. I am. So don’t roll your eyes at me, I say with a wink. I’ve got this. 

One of the things it suggests is something called Morning Pages. This means getting up a bit earlier so you have time to write three pages of longhand. I agree with actually putting pen to paper as it is extremely beneficial in a way that typing is not. It engages parts of your brain and opens up pathways; it helps you be more creative, problem-solve, memorise and so much more. And I’m not just advocating it because I produce so many beautiful notebooks which you can buy here and other sorts here. 

La book says that writing has helped people past major blockages.  It doesn’t matter what you write but you must write and you’re not allowed to read it back. That’s probably a good thing because I don’t do mine first thing.  On my approach to awakening, I must first have a mug of tea followed by one coffee, a poached egg and bacon on toast, another coffee whilst doing Wordle, The mini crossword, another mini crossword, followed by Connections and then the big daily crossword. Then, and only then am I ready to deal with other things. Besides, I’m in a top-place daily battle with a random player called Keith from Australia on the second mini-crossword (I know this as he has an Aussie flag next to his name) and every day we vie for the top spot. I find great joy in knocking him off first place and have a bit of a snigger to myself about it. Not that I’m overly competitive but I couldn’t even let it go on Christmas Day. I often have to ban myself from online games because I get a bit fixated. 

So, the morning pages then commence. Unfortunately, I’m often irritated by something I’ve heard on the news by this point, or I think Keith the Aussie has cheated, or the wolfits want feeding, or someone interrupts me during my manic flow and then all the little embers inside me -that I now refer to as angry dots- start glowing. I’m not sure this is working for me unless it is supposed to get worse before it gets better.  I don’t know if I should be listing everyone who has irked me and needs sorting out and that I might actually have had more success as an assassin. I then start to wonder what the author of the said book means by three pages. Surely they should be at least A4, right? Not a little journal with a margin? Is that cheating? Am I cheating myself already? Well, you didn’t sign the contract, Jules…

Ah shaddap! 

I start to write over the margin which feels dreadfully wrong and think maybe I should do four pages but, uhhh, I don’t want to. I’m already upset by so many things that I can feel the temper in my hand making me press on too hard and give me a cramp. Mother of Sundays, I feel so anxious!  I stand up and go to feed the wolfits.

Talking of wolfits

Please meet Tex the Cyber Wolf AKA Sci-Fi Tex, as requested by Masher. 

I’ve drawn this one as Tex was very poorly last week with a random infection and because he’s an Addison’s patient he can go into a crisis. He ended up on a drip and spent days at the vet. He’s only just started to get well and eat again. I went through a horrible week wondering if he’d make it but he did because he is a Space Warrior! 

You can’t keep a good dog down. Nor a creative who does Morning Pages.

Have You seen the red dot?

There’s not one on the top middle industrial entry yet…

I’m not talking about my inner angry dots, I’m talking about the magical red dots that mean success on a plate. No, I’m not talking about bacon either. 

I entered the International Postcard Exhibition with five postcards of different mediums and styles. The show is on for two weeks. Another famalam member entered a painting so we went to visit on the opening night. It had only been open an hour when we arrived to have a look and already one of my paintings had been RED-DOTTED. 

Red Dot equals SOLD

Sailing Through. No, that’s what it’s called!

A few minutes later and the famalam member with me got a red dot too! Could this be a familial genius? Or is this book going to my head? 

View the hand that is The Victor’s Trophy (the red dot came seconds after this photo)

The way this is going you might have to start paying me to come here. All payment methods are accepted. No tabs.

No matter what, January has been quite eventful, and I even got through Blue Monday without a hiccup. Maybe that’s because I forgot to do dry January again.

Oh well.